EPISODE 1

THE TRUE POWER OF THE VEL (28:00)

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

The Hindu god of war, Murugan, is concidered the most powerful deity in the Tamil Indian pantheon. His sacred spear—the Vel—is the source of his strength and the center-piece of an absolutely explosive religious festival called Thaipusam. Every year, hundreds of thousands of loyal devotees journey from the streets of Kuala Lumpur, up into a sacred cave where they pour milk over Murugan’s Vel in exchange for his blessings. Known as the Kavadi ritual, this journey often involves a spectacle of grueling endurance and self-sacrificial acts that parallel the scope of a devotees’ wish. The bearing of Kavadi can lead to intense experiences where individuals become spiritually possessed by the gods. But such supernatural events wouldn’t be possible without the sonically hypnotizing music of Urumi Melam—traditional Tamil drum ensembles.

The True Power of the Vel follows a revered drummer named Tharma Devon who’s band, Mansana Kali, leads the way for many Kavadi bearers. Out of loyalty to his friends and family, Tharma set aside a day to carry a Kavadi for Murugan with hopes of bringing good health to those who keeps close. Tharma chooses to be strapped into an ornate peak-cock like structre that weighs over 50 kilos. Once strapped inside, he has small pots of milk pierced into his back, and he begins his journey to ascend the 272 steps of the Batu Cave. But at the base of the steps, the ritual meets an extraordinary, life changing crescendo—after a month of austerities, Tharma’s body was purified for the touch of a god. Driven by the spell of music, Tharma falls into trance and feels the powerful embrace of Murugan himself.