‘Rasayyaro Raja Rasayyaro’, while a group of tribal school girls of the Rajeev Gandhi Memorial Model Residential High school (RGMMRHS) sang the familiar folk song of the Kattunayakka tribe, another group danced the ‘Thotty’ dance (usually the Kattunayakka tribe performs the art form during the puberty celebration of a girl) in accordance with the tempo of the song for their first Music album titled ‘Thenthudi’. This is the debut album on the ethnic tribal songs performed by a group of school girls of RGMMRHS, a model residential school especially for the Kattunayakka tribes in the state at Kalloor near Muthanga, in the district.
As many as 19 students, studying in standard V to X, of the school took part in this maiden endeavour. The 25 minute album contains seven folk songs of the tribal people in the district. A poem which is written by Sugatha Kumari, a notable writer in Kerala, is also visualised in the album. The album has been shot at Ponkuzhi and Muthanga areas in the district.
“We took nearly six months to complete it,” M.P. Vasu, director and teacher of the RGMMRHS told The Hindu . Two years back they had formed a literary club titled ‘Pattukootom’ to nurture literary and musical talents of the children. They published a collection of tribal folk songs titled ‘Polika’ last year, Mr. Vasu said.
During the cultural activities the children had a peculiar fascination to sing the ethnic folk songs of their tribe, Mr. Vasu added. The rhythmic movements of their dance in accordance with the tempo of their songs persuaded them to visualise it, he added.
“When we had appeared in front of the camera for the first time, we were a bit shy and afraid, but our friends said we did well,” M.S. Sreeja a X standard student, who led the dance team for the album, said.
A description about the school is also added in the musical album as a prologue. The narration was given by V.V. Thomas, a teacher of the school and Sabu Kallumukku wielded the camera. The C.D. of the music album was released recently at a function held in the school.