Music started pouring out of bamboo percussions to mark the beginning of ‘Gaddhika 2016-17’, the tribal arts festival organised by the Department of Scheduled Tribes Development, at Valayam in Kozhikode on Saturday.
The ten-day festival was officially opened by Minister for Health K.K.Shylaja, who in her address pointed out that the general public had a responsibility towards the Adivasis who have been deprived of their rights and power.
Minister for Excise and Labour T.P. Ramakrishnan, who inaugurated the stalls, said the event was an attempt to regain the lost indigenous knowledge.
Minister for Scheduled Castes, Tribes and Other Backward Classes A.K. Balan presided over the programme. The inaugural session was preceded by a grand procession.
Actor Manju Warrier inaugurated the cultural programmes. A bamboo percussions show by Dravida Arts Cub, Neeleswaram, was the first art form to be performed as part of Gaddhika. A performance by Malayapulaya Kalasamithi, Munnar, and folk songs by Karinthalakkoottam Folk Research Centre followed.
Gaddhika is being organised with an aim to preserve the indigenous art forms and knowledge of the tribal people in Kerala, which are fast fading into oblivion. It also aims to promote the traditional occupations and find a market for their products. Tribal food items and medicines are available at the festival. The exhibition is open from 10 a.m. onwards on all days of the festival.
Talks and performances
Issues relevant to the indigenous community will be discussed at the venue every evening. The discussions will be followed by performance of folk arts forms including ‘Bamboo band’, Paliya dance, Poothan Thira, Ooralikkoothu, Kalakali, Mangalamkali, Malavazhiyattam, Vattakkali, Marikkali, Kothamooriyattam, Koraga dance, Panthalattam, Mudiyattam and Sododhimi. Several folk music shows, a play by Lokadharmi Kochi and magic show by Gopinath Muthukad have also been included.
The valedictory function will be held at 5.30 p.m. on January 30, which will be inaugurated by Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan.
