Kozhikode: The State School Arts Festivals have played a major role in preserving traditional art forms. However, there have been complaints from learned quarters that several art forms have been skewered and rules flouted to fit them for capsule formats.
The Akhila Kerala Kolkali Sangham Ekopana Samithi is the latest to complain against the alleged deformation of the art form when adapted for stage.
“Kolkali performances at arts festivals,” said Samithi chairman Nasar Kappad, “often resemble a dance drama. The participating teams often use rhythms and sticks that are not part of the traditional art form. They are very noisy, and the movements are often unscientific.”
Instead of highlighting the existing contents, the teams have been incorporating contents that are not part of the art form. Similar issues are noticed in the Mappila art forms of ‘Duff Muttu’, ‘Oppana’, ‘Vattappattu’ and ‘Arbana Muttu’, Mr. Nasar said.
The Samithi maintained that undiscerning judges were a major reason for the inclusion of unscientific features in these art forms. “The judges often are not familiar with the art form and are appointed by influential people,” Mr. Nasar said, adding that they often judged performances based on speed and noise. As a result, teams that follow the traditional method often return disappointed. The situation forces even trainers to guide their students in such a way that they can win competitions.
The Samithi has requested the government to take steps to ensure that Kolkali is presented in the traditional format in the forthcoming school arts festival. Realising the importance of the festival, the Samithi has also made a plea to include various types of Kolkali.
“There are five types of Kolkali prevalent in Kerala. However, only the Mappila Kolkali is popularised through arts festivals. Besides, there is ‘Rajasooyam’ Kolkali performed by the Nair community, ‘Chumattu’ Kolkali known only in north Kerala, ‘Charadupinni’ Kolkali, and folk Kolkali performed by adivasis and Dalits,” said Mr. Nasar, who is also a researcher in Kolkali.
