Exposition of folk art
G.S. PAUL
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`Aattam' showcased more than 150 rustic art forms that were presented by 1,000 performers.
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PHOTOS: K.K. NAJEEB
RUSTIC SCENES: Chakramchavittu Pattu.
`Aattam' (dance), a week-long folk and tribal arts festival organised by Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi, showcased more than 150 rustic art forms that were presented by 1,000 performers.
The exuberant performers danced and somersaulted to the beat of native drums. While two giant hobby-horses welcomed people to the festival, paintings, sculptures and other structures that were representative of tribal art were put up all over the ground.
Performances took place from 9 a.m. to midnight. Everyday, a variety of folk songs rent the air in the morning, heralding the presentations to follow.
Rare art forms
Some of the rare ones included `Mudyen paattu,' `Paliya paattu,' `Mannaan paatu,' `Muram kulukki paattu,' `Ammayi paattu,' `Chakkaattu paattu' and so on. Many of them were invocatory pieces and were based on stories from the Puranas.
The narrative of `Mannaan paattu' was an improvised version of the story of Kannaki and Kovilan in `Silapadikaram.'
The forenoon session witnessed seminars on folklore music, folk art and environment, folk art and theatre, folklore and cultural studies and so on. The evening sessions were devoted to such art forms as Theyyam, Padeni, Theekkolam and Ghantakarnan.
Among the rare performances was `Harischandra Koothu,' staged by Attappady Kanakam Centre for Education and Culture. Performed by the Irula community, it was being presented for the first time before an audience. It is a form of theatre wherein background music is provided by a team and the characters in the play dance around singing loudly. The leitmotif of their narration is the story of Harichandra.
Cheradupinnikkali were a few of the art forms showcased at 'Aattam.'
Paliya Nrittam from Idukki district was another tribal dance. Young dancers - five men and five women - exhibited amazing artistry as they danced in separate groups to enchanting rhythms. The dance form with strong theatrical elements is performed for invoking the rain gods. It was staged by Aruvi and group from Kumali.
Poorakkali was elegantly presented by a group from Udinoor. Marathukali, which preceded the show, appeared to be a scholarly and intellectual exercise. Two pundits, well versed in Sanskrit and the Puranas, enter into an argument for hours in this form. Madhava Panicker and Krishna Panicker presented a debate of a sloka excerpted from the Natyasastra.
Breathtaking experience
Although Sarpam Paattu is common, `Thiriyuzhichil,' presented by Sudheer Mulloorkkara, was a breathtaking experience. Armed with a flaming torch in one hand and a thaalam (plate) in the other, he blessed a few among the audience, including children, with the torch occasionally.
Occurrence of Kali and Darikan in many forms indicated the popularity of the story. The festival was organised in collaboration with Sangeet Natak Akademi, Delhi.
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