Kerala School Arts Fest: Irula Nritham strikes a chord at Thekkinkaadu Maidan

Thrissur: Irula Nritham, an art form that originated among the Irula tribe of Attapadi in Palakkad, has made waves at the State School Arts Festival in Thrissur.Around 20 teams vied for honours in this art form, in the HS and HSS categories. The addition of Irula Nritham to the fest has been a significant move by authorities to mainstream the indigenous art form.
For the students, the art form has offered a deeper understanding of the culture and tradition of the state's aboriginal communities.The participants, spanning from classes IX to XIII, said it was more than a competition for them; it was a deep dive into a vernacular world. A three-day workshop led by Kudumbashree Mission's Community Theatre Initiative held in the heart of Attapadi enabled the students to understand and learn the rich culture and heritage of the Irula Tribe. It eventually helped them transform their performance from mere imitation to something that resonates with the authentic tribal soul.Mentors — most of whom hailing from Attappadi — said the platform helped revive Irula Nritham and create an interest among the younger generation in learning and preserving it."It is truly heartwarming to see the audience connecting with an art form that, until a few years ago, remained in the shadows," said Community Theatre Initiative director Sudheesh Maruthalam.Rooted in a blend of Tamil and Kannada dialects, the art form thrives as a scriptless oral tradition. Importance is given to rhythm, with instruments such as kogal, thavil, parai and jalra setting it. Dress of tribal communities are used by the dancers while a no-makeup look is generally preferred for originality.Irula Nritham was originally performed during marriages, harvest and menarche and, in recent times, during death. "When someone dies, the community members don't mourn in silence; they dance to ensure a joyful farewell for the departed," said a participant representing Govt High School, Nedumkunnam, Kottayam.