Paliya Nritham captivates despite facing challenges in authentic representation

Students of St Teresa’s AI HSS, Kannur, participate in the Paliya Nritham competition at the State Schools Arts Festival in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: S. Mahinsha  

The 63rd State School Arts Festival saw the introduction of five tribal art forms, offering a glimpse of the unique culture of Kerala’s indigenous tribes.

Infusing a burst of vibrancy, Paliya Nritham, native to the Paliya tribe of Idukki, captivated the audience with its rhythms and storytelling, much like the other tribal dances featured at the event. It was a chance to showcase the traditions of the Paliyas, who are believed to have migrated from Gudalur to various settlements in areas such as Kumily, Chakkupallam, and Anakkara years ago.

Though Paliya Nritham stirred great interest and curiosity, the “newcomer” faced teething issues. Most of the 13 teams competing in the higher secondary category struggled to present the art form in its authentic form on Wednesday.

Several teams had to rely on recorded audio for their performances, as they were unable to source the traditional tribal instruments such as mulamchenda, nagara, udukku, urumi, and jara. Some also had to substitute the tribal attire, usually made from incha, derived from the bark of the Acacia intsia tree, with makeshift garments such as torn jute gunny sacks.

Despite these setbacks, the performances were filled with energy and passion. The dancers brought the festival alive with their movements, performing traditional prayer dances for rain, good health, and bountiful harvests.

The Paliyas, who speak a mixed dialect of Tamil and Malayalam, believe in invoking their deity, Mariyamman, through these dances, which is a highlight during their own community festivals. However, due to limitations in resources and time, the students participating in the arts festival could not fully replicate this experience.

Yet, for many, it was an opportunity to learn about a lesser-known tribal community and their cultural heritage. “We look forward to visiting the Paliyas and learning more about them,” said Anjana, a student from Crescent HSS in Adakkakundu, Malappuram.

Her enthusiasm echoed the sentiments of many others, who saw this competition not only as a chance to perform but also as a way to gain a deeper understanding of Kerala’s diverse indigenous cultures.

K.J. John, an expert in tribal folklore and one of the judges for the Malapulayattam competition, noted the absence of actual Paliya tribe members in the contest. He emphasised the need for the inclusion of indigenous people to preserve the authenticity of their traditions and called for efforts to ensure the continuity of these unique art forms.