Of tribal art and lifestyle

A MINDBOGGLING variety of tribal and rural art forms which one gets to view only on rare occasions, was showcased in Kozhikode recently. Over 10 days the Town Hall at Kozhikode reverberated with the sound of percussion and wind instruments, which form an integral accompaniment to the vibrant traditional dances and other age-old art forms.

The Nadan Kala Mela (Rural arts festival), and the exhibition which gave an insight into the tribal way of life was organised by the Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes KIRTADS0 in association with sister organisations engaged in the uplift of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Some of the tribal groups including the Velans, Chola naikans, Kurichiars, Paniyas, Kurumans and others ethnic to Kerala were represented at the festival. In all, over 35 tribes are listed as ethnic to Kerala, with a population of 3,20, 967.

A variety of theyyams such as `mara puli theyyam', `yakshi theyyam', `raktha chamundi theyyam', and `karinkutty' were staged in the evenings. So were `vadakkanpattu', `kuthirakkolam' and `mudiyattom'.

Many of the tribals were at the festival to stage their art forms, to demonstrate their expertise in tribal medicine and culinary skills. The food stall was one of the attractions at the exhibition.

Over a cup of pungent `chukku kappi' ginger coffee0, an expert in tribal cuisine, Velan, explains the intricacies which accompany the preparation of tribal culinary delicacies.

He brings over the special varieties of `gandhaka sala', `jeera' rice varieties and ragi which have been grown in Wayanad, and which form the base of many delicacies.

The tribal doctors too were a great attraction as their therapeutic concoctions had many enthusiastic takers.

The stalls had on sale bamboo, cane and driftwood artefacts, varities of tea, honey and spices. A stall of the Folklore Academy, Vadakara, had on view an assortment of `theyya kolams'.

The KIRTADS stall was a storehouse of tribal artefacts. Tribal musical instruments, hunting implements, items of everyday use also evoked curiosity.

MALEEHA

RAGHAVIAH

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