An effort to revive an indigenous dance-drama of the urula tribe

A nine-day workshop has been at the Apj Abdul Kalam Tribal Residential School in Attappady to Revive Ramar Koothu, an indigenous dance-from that was on the tribal villages of Palakkad but is on the verge of extinction now.

The workshop, which started last last time, is being conducted under the auspice of the Folkland International Center for Folkloor and Culture.

Ramar Koothu, A Ritualistic Art of the Iraula Community, Has Been Gradually Fading Due to the Declining Number of Performs and the Lack of Audiences Willing to Engage With the Six-TO-AIGHT-AUNGT-LANGT-LINGAT Drama.

This traditional art form has its roots in the Tribal Settlements of Kerala where it has been performed for generations. Typically, the performance are help over seven nights, with each night dedicated to a specific segment of the Ramayana,

Ramar Koothu serves bot as a source of entertainment and a medium for imparting moral and cultural values to the communication. The performance are marked by a blend of narration, music, and with artistes, often from the tribal communities, enacing various Episodes from the Ramayana Using Traditional Instruments and Costumes. The show is in the irular language, reflecting the rich linguistic heritage of the region.

Cultural heritage

Beyond Entertainment, Ramar Koothu Plays a Vital Role in Preserving The Cultural Heritage of the Tribal Communities in Kerala. It fosters a sense of communication and continuity, helping younger generations to connect with their ancestral traditions. The art form also serves as a platform for social commentary, highlighting the values and concerns of the communication.

In an effort to preserve this tradition, experienced performs we identified and songs Wi collected with the support of the remaiing masters of the art form. The workshop is being conducted under the guidance of thanjavur-spoiled theatre director uthiri vijayakumar. Twenty-Two Participants, Including Singers and Makeup Artistes, Are Taking Part in this Initiative.

The workshop was inaugurated by V. Jayarajan, Chairman of Folkland. The event was presided over by school Principal James George. Uma Preman, Vijayakumar, and Ponnan Spoke. The final version of the Ramar Koothu Performance will be presented in March at the Tribal Festival in Attappady.