Songs of everyday life
LEKSHMY RAJEEV
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Kairali TV’s ‘Patturumal’ is a talent hunt for the best Mappilappattu singers in Kerala.
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Wholesome entertainer: ‘Patturumal’ on Kairali TV.
I am thrilled with the response, especially from Gulf viewers,” says Jyothi Vellalloor, producer of ‘Patturumal,’ on Kairali TV which selects the best singers of Mappilappattu in Kerala.
Maapilappattukal (Mappila songs) belong to the section of folk songs that reflect the unique culture of the Muslims in Kerala. Most of the early songs are similar to other folk songs of Kerala and many of the Mappilappattukal are a reflection of the Mappilas’ religious faith.
“It is a living branch of music that effortlessly adapts to changes and can develop further if it is nurtured,” says season one winner Ajay Gopal.
Second season
The second season of Kairali TV’s reality show on Maappilpaattu begins with 30 women and 18 men as contestants. Each episode has a celebrity judge with singers Marcose, Rehna and Faizal as permanent judges.
Says Jyothi on how the show was conceptualised: “At first we thought we would shoot a documentary that showed how the Muslims in Kerala enriched the arts and culture of the State. After discussions, we finally decided on a music reality show called ‘Patturumal,’ which means a silken handkerchief that is usually gifted by a paramour.”
Wholesome entertainer: ‘Patturumal’ on Kairali TV.
“The approach to Mappilappattu is cultural, not community-based,” says M.N. Karasseri, who has a doctoral degree in the subject. Among the various folk songs of Kerala, Mappilappattu is probably the only one that is still growing strong. Unlike the Vadakkan Pattukal of North Malabar or Edanadan Pattu of Central Travancore region, which relate to a particular period in history, Mappilappattu adapts the contemporary into its tunes.
Themes
The themes are inspired from everyday life – love, separation, the joys of domesticity, children and and the like. This could be a reason why viewers tune in to watch the show with their family; it’s a wholesome family entertainer.
In the first season, the programme covered the historical and cultural background of Mappilappattukal as the organisers honoured veteran singers and their families. The second season will be different, say the organisers. They have included Oppanappattu also.
While most reality shows involve competition, in ‘Patturumal’ there is no SMS voting system and no tearful elimination rounds. The judges decide who makes it. Eliminations are based on the marks the judges allot to the singers and those who do not make the cut need not find out they are out of the show while on television.
‘Patturumal’ is screened Fridays to Sundays at 20.30.
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