Rooted in tradition
K. PRADEEP
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Vayali strives to promote and preserve traditional folk arts and culture along with empowering traditional craftsmen.
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PHOTO: MAHESH HARILAL
PRESERVING A LIFESTYLE: Volunteers of Vayali endeavour to preserve a culture that is rapidly fading away.
For Vayali, folk art and music means much more than just entertainment. It is an important tool to bring together a whole community. A small group of traditional artistes, Vayali has two levels of very clearly earmarked activities. At one level, they strive to promote and expand the traditional folk arts and culture. And on the second level, Vayali helps assure the survival, development and continued evolution of community-based traditional art and crafts. It is this second level of activities that makes Vayali different from the numerous folk art groups in Kerala.
The beginning was rather subdued. Three years back, the Naattarivu Patanakendram organised a workshop at the picturesque village of Arangottukara, near Thrissur. A large group from various communities participated in it.
Tremendous potential
"That was when we saw the tremendous potential of the people around us in the village. The songs and some of the traditional art forms that they presented were simply stunning. We then decided to organise these different groups and bring them together under one roof. The Naattarivu Patanakendram offered help and that was how Vayali, which translates as `The Mother of Fields,' was launched," explains Vinod Nambiar, a software engineer and the driving force behind the group.
Getting hold of a stock of original songs and art forms was not very difficult. Nor did it take the 11-member team much time to rehearse and perform on stage.
"Most of the members of the group were unemployed youngsters from the various communities in the village. They brought with them a wealth of songs and information on the folk art forms. Gradually we began getting programmes."
Vayali was responsible for the revival of some dying Valluvanadan art forms such as `Thiruvathira Chozhi,' `Kudachozhi,' `Chavittukali,' and so on. "There are so many art forms that are no longer performed today. Most of them are connected to the fields, harvest and the life of those who toiled. Kudachozhi,' for instance, used to be performed on the paddy fields soon after the harvest was over. The songs and the form itself were a kind of prayer to the Almighty for protection of the grain harvested and seeking blessings for a better harvest the next year. Some of the art forms are primitive theatre forms replete with dialogues, costumes and masks. Almost all those forms that we perform have been documented."
In 2005, Vayali produced an audio album titled `Vayalamma' that had 10 original folk songs.
"We did not have a promoter for this endeavour but it was part of our documentation project. It was also aimed at bringing in some funds that we could use for our other activities. Although, it was not a big success, it brought us exposure and a little money."
Vayali, which is affiliated to Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi, Kerala Folklore Acadmy, Indira Gandhi Centre for Arts, New Delhi, and the Nehru Yuva Kendra, has listed its priorities. Research into ancient folk art, craft and music is given top place.
Legends, art forms
"There are so many senior citizens in our place and the neighbourhood who know so much about a culture that is fast fading away. Along with the art forms there are many legends that these people have kept locked up for so long.
"Our endeavour is to persuade them to part with some of these unseen treasures. We regularly conduct what we call `karnava kootams' that see the participation of a lot of elders. They prove to be a rich source of folk art forms." Now Vayali has a repertoire of over 20 folk art forms and a growing stock of songs.
The next goal is to offer a variety of training programmes for the people of the village.
"Workshops and training camps on self-employment and self-sustainable schemes would be the next step. We have talented potters, and artisans who work wonders with bronze, other metals, and bamboo.
"We have already contacted authorities in the State and Tamil Nadu to help us in the training. Master traditional artisans can pass on their unique knowledge and skills to the promising novice artisans who are willing to work in that field. The plan is to directly market what we make. We are also thinking of training the women in tailoring. Banks have promised help and have also given us a few ideas on how to go about the project," explains Vinod.
Nature conservation is another field in which Vayalai is actively involved in. They have, in association with the Forest Department and other NGOs, conducted classes and workshops on the need for rainwater harvesting, protecting the rivers and conserving nature.
Their plans include publishing a book on the Valluvanadan folk songs, a CD on the folk arts and setting up a `Nattu Kalavara,' a folklore museum. Vayali believes that falling back on tradition is not going backwards. It is rather a realisation of what we have forgotten or lost. And this realisation becomes complete only when a whole community is awakened.
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