MALAYALAM
Anthology of folk songs
K. K. GOPALAKRISHNAN
MALAYALATHILE NATAN PATTUKAL: Compiled by M. V. Vishnu Namboothiri; DC Books, DC Kizhakemuri Edam, Good Shepherd Street, Kottayam-686001. Rs. 120.
THOUGH GEOGRAPHICALLY small, Kerala enjoys a rich heritage of folk and classical arts. The folk-song tradition is notable for its references to the rudiments of life — family disputes, ego clashes, jealousy, et al.
Of late, attempts are being made to compile such songs that have been orally passed down from generation to generation.
Against this backdrop, Vishnu Namboodiri’s work under review is a laudable effort. In this anthology, there are 52 songs classified into six groups such as Udukku Pattukal (songs in praise of Lord Ayyappa sung to the accompaniment of Udukku, a tiny instrument), Nattu Daiva Pattukal (the lines sung while visiting local households with children wearing some of the popular God’s attire, also known as Kutti Theyyam) and the songs of the less fortunate classes sung on different occasions or during various activities like farming.
In his brief introduction, Namboothiri takes a look at the anthropological aspects of the folk-song legacy.
The sources from which the songs were collected are also given and the book will be found eminently readable by those interested in the oral tradition of folk literature and arts.
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