I am... Haseena Banu

Haseena Begum. Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup

Occupation: Shingari Melam artiste

“I have been part of the Kudumbasree in Parambil Bazaar for about 11 years. When the unit decided to start a Shingari Melam band four years ago, I was enthused by the idea. It was an employment opportunity for many like me. I had never seen Shingari Melam before, but that in no way was a deterrent. As a child, I was active in the arts and have represented my school in oppana, thiruvathirakkali and folk dance at the district level.

Quite a few women came seeking selection to Swaralayam, the women’s Shingari Melam band of the Kuruvattoor Grama Panchayat. We were screened on our inherent sense of rhythm and 22 of us became part of it. Initially, our trainer Sunil Kumar trained us to beat on a

mutti (a chunky piece of wood) with a tamarind stick. That training went on for about six months. Then we were taught the simultaneous foot movement to accompany the beat of the

chenda . Co-ordinating the leg and hand was difficult for all of us. In the beginning, when we did the feet movement, the drum would sway. But with time we slowly learnt to keep it in control. Forget the foot-hand movement, getting a hang of Shingari Melam was difficult for all of us initially.

The others in the team had watched Shingari Melam before. I had to begin from scratch. But my greatest support has been my team members and trainer. They always encouraged and egged me on. After training for about 11 months, first for three days a week and every day closer to the performance date, we finally performed for the first time at the Kozhikode beach for the cleanliness drive of the corporation. The response from the people was very encouraging and I think they were intrigued to find me in the group.

Since then the group has performed in about 400 events. We perform at inaugurations, conferences, cultural festivals and even sporting events. One of the events that I took part in recently was the inaugural function of the National Games. I have always got a very warm response from the audience. For instance, at the National Games, an aged Shingari Melam performer congratulated me for being part of the band. A few months ago, we performed for a party conference in Malappuram where we walked and performed from Ponnani to Malappuram town. Many came and enquired about how I became part of the group.

Shingari Melam usually has performers in a three-line arrangement. Each line has five performers. The first line does the

kottuchenda, the second takes care of the

thalam and the third does the

vattampidikkal. I am one among the five who do the

vattampidikkal. A Shingari Melam performance begins with the drum beats from us. Unlike the

kottuchenda performers, our rhythmic beats are done with one hand. Of course, there are occasions when I do the

kottuchenda especially when we are walking long distances. I pitch in to help my teammates. Initially, the weight of a drum can bog you down. But one forgets it in the excitement of a performance.

Shingari Melan has taken me places. I was part of the team that performed in Mumbai for a national festival of women folk performers. It has taken me to Malappuram, Palakkad, Kannur and Wayanad. I have performed even during the Ramzan time and would break the fast after a performance. My family has always been a great support. My husband is a daily wage labourer.

What appeals to me is the collective effort this group is. All of us along with our families go on an annual tour. Last year, we went to Ooty and Kodaikkanal. Initially, the economic relief from this was abysmal.

But that is beginning to change. What keeps me going is the happiness of performing an art form. I want to perform as long as my health permits.”

As told to P. ANIMA

A weekly column on men and women who make Kozhikode what it is.