Efforts for the Rejuvenation of Traditional Folk Arts
∎ Revival of Folk Arts
Fr.V.P.Joseph has taken striving effort for the rejuvenation of other coastal folk art forms like, Parichakali, Annavippattukal, Devastavili, Ammanappattukal, Puthenpana, Kadal vanchippattukal, Slamacarol, Pichapattukal...
Vallattuparichaveeshikali
Most widely seen in coastal areas of of Ernakulam district Kerala, the play is highly tightful wen compared to those seen in southern artforms. They are typically called as Vallattuparichaveeshikali.-Indo -Portuguese martial shield and sword dance. The costumes are white long shirts and dhotis - the main costumes are closely linked to the Portuguese soldier who holds a sword and round shield and the players will be performing the dance form with these sword and shield without touching each other, resembling the medieval European dramatic play forms and imbibes the marital traditions of medieval Kerala.
Ammanappattukal
Derived from Tamil traditional rhythmic tunes, written in Tamil-Malayalam languages, these songs describe the resurrection of Jesus Christ. ‘Ammanam' is a Tamil folk tune. These are highly devotional songs depicting the redemptive commandment of Jesus Christ.
Puthenpana
Puthenpana narrates the life of Jesus Christ. It is sung in Dravidic tune with rhythm. Puthen Pana is a Malayalam poem written by Arnos Pathiri The poem is believed to have been composed between 1721 and 1732. The poem deals with life of Jesus Christ. The poem consists of 14 padams. Puthen Paana describes the emotions and feeling that Mother Mary felt when body of her son was laid on her lap lifeless from cross.
Slama Carol
Slama Carol is a different art form which is derived from the ancient folk musics and tunes of the coastal area of Alappuzha and Cochin. Slama means shalom, which is peace. It gives the message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ The main theme of Slama Carol is the message given by Jesus who has risen from the dead. The carol team, in the costume of Jesus and his disciples ,visits the homes in delight with the Easter, Singing the song of the risen Jesus.
Devasthavili
An Indo Portugese ritual art-form which is composed and taught to the students by a master who is on fasting and with spiritual purity in mind with proper preparatory rites performed along with in old times.It serves as a spiritual exercise which intone the mind of hte people for reflecting about the momentary span of life for spiritual contrition and reconciliation.
Sea canoe songs
Vanchipattukal-Kadal Vanchipattu is a coastal folk muisc, sung by the fisher folks in The ancient times to relieve the pain and effort of fishing. Sea Canoe Songs performed by the coastal fishermen for reducing their fatigue while rowing for fishing. The song imitates the beat-movement of the rowings.
Annavippattukal
A blend of traditional Dravidian and medieval European Christian culture, highly devotional, classical, musical ritual art forms. Also known as Maundy songs or mendicant songs. During lent season, choir group with their instruments jalara and chaplain used to visit each house praising Jesus Christ and explaining the crucification and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is also called as repentance songs. When the songs are for praising mother mary, it is known as mathavanakkapattukal. Parallel to the development of dance forms, which formed as a sequence from koothu to koodiyattom, koodiyattom to chavittunadakam,
dance music forms were also developed, which paved the way for the growth of annavi songs. It was the European missionaries who developed and popularised these songs.
∎ Coastal Folk Art Training Academy & Research Centre for the Revival of folk arts
∎ Stipend for students trained in coastal art forms
∎ Full Fledged Research Centre for Folk arts
∎ Indoor theatre for presentation of folk art forms
