Bangalore
It was when we heard about the caste barriers that many of the lower caste musicians face in terms of performing with other upper caste musicians (in front of respectable audience and famous temple courtyards) that we decided to incorporate "Music trail" as a one day program during our Nila experience. Since we were working closely with the Pulluvans by then, we were already looking at the social angle of the work we were involved with.
The Pulluvans were facing economic and social problems as they were struggling to make a living with the traditional knowledge they couldn't practice much any more (which was their sole source of income for many generations).
It was when we heard about the caste barriers that many of the lower caste musicians face in terms of performing with other upper caste musicians (in front of respectable audience and famous temple courtyards) that we decided to incorporate "Music trail" as a one day program during our Nila experience. Since we were working closely with the Pulluvans by then, we were already looking at the social angle of the work we were involved with.
The Pulluvans were facing economic and social problems as they were struggling to make a living with the traditional knowledge they couldn't practice much any more (which was their sole source of income for many generations).
Similiarly, the musicians of Madhava Vidyalayam in Mulayankavu were from a community called "Mannan". (different from the Scheduled tribe of mannan who are found in Idukki and Madurai districts of Kerala and Tamilnadu). The "mannathi" basically does (used to) the laundry for the neighbouring villages and the men of the family were taking on the roles of "Velichappaadu" (Oracle) or priests in community temples (kaavu) or even as traditional healers (medicinal). The men also used to play musical instruments like "Thudi" and "Para", but not Classical instruments like "Chenda" which were mostly related to temple rituals. (and hence no entry for lower castes to perform inside the courtyard)
It was Aravindakhan's father (standing on the left in the group photo) who instilled the interest for music amongst his sons and they went on to practice music for many years and most of them ended up playing almost all the percussion's known in Kerala including classical Chenda. Unfortunately the rigid caste system that is followed in Kerala (Yes, we are also known as the most progressive, educated and literate society in India!!) keeps them away from many places where they would ideally like to perform!
If they can't be taken to places and courtyards of traditional performances, we thought of bringing music loving audience to them and that was the beginning of "Music Trail", which is one of the strongest element of our holidays on the banks of River Nila.
It was Aravindakhan's father (standing on the left in the group photo) who instilled the interest for music amongst his sons and they went on to practice music for many years and most of them ended up playing almost all the percussion's known in Kerala including classical Chenda. Unfortunately the rigid caste system that is followed in Kerala (Yes, we are also known as the most progressive, educated and literate society in India!!) keeps them away from many places where they would ideally like to perform!
If they can't be taken to places and courtyards of traditional performances, we thought of bringing music loving audience to them and that was the beginning of "Music Trail", which is one of the strongest element of our holidays on the banks of River Nila.
© GP 2006
uh? I didnt knw that you still had caste restrictions in Kerala> Gpi tell us mre on this. i had thought that anyone can enter any temple ni kerala except sabarimala where only women after puberty arent allowed.? enlighten please :) G, u better find time regularly to blog, this is becoming interesting, patty and i have started chcking it daily! Hugs
ReplyDeleteKerala is so much more liberal, reading this some will think along UP lines.The Malayalis are one of the most progressive &liberal. It is the diminishing numbers in domestic audiences that mostly perpetuate some of these old practices. Financial is the catch word.When even the so called higher caste artists find it difficult to manage 3 meals;leave alone 'square',can they be blamed for holding on to age old practices and not sharing.I agree there may be some exceptions,but then they are not many.Restrictions is too harsh a word to apply.In a society where being born into a higher caste ensures all possible governmental restrictions ,it is only natural that these practices will only die a very slow death.
ReplyDeleteGive the malayalis credit ,after all they did away with untouchability long before others even thought about it!
The Malayali esp.Hindu,likes questioning & to be questioned !How much liberal can you get?
ReplyDeletesorry about the delayed postings of comments! been travelling and once again got into trouble. a dog bit my right arm ;) and cant use the R arm as much as i would want to. G
ReplyDeletehope u arent bloody joking!
ReplyDeleteThe Temple Entry Proclamation issued by Maharaja Shri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma was in 1936.I didn't know that there were that many jobs, esp.based on the caste hierchy,in temples of kerala to merit a major 'social movement!.The important thing is that a social wrong that prevailed for ??centuries was righted and it was done from within the malayali society.
ReplyDeleteThe comments seem to have moved from the melodious music trail to the dissonant caste trail.