Lockdown-hit folk artists go live to keep tradition alive

Coimbatore: While they are unable to conduct live shows, folk artistes in the region are performing online for worldwide audience.
The artists used to perform string puppetry, shadow puppetry and therukkoothu (folk theatre) in festivals held from the Tamil months of Thai to Aadi (mid-January to mid-August). They were waiting for the season to pick up in March, when the Covid-19 lockdown was imposed.
To help them tide over the situation, Kalari Heritage and Charitable Trust, a Salem-based forum that archives folk art forms and supports artists, has been organising online performances.Since the lockdown, it has held five string puppetry and shadow puppetry performances such as Anuman Thoodhu, Seethai Kalyanam, Kovalan Sarithiram, Nalla Thangaal Sarithiram and Harichandra, and also uploaded the videos online.
Founder of the forum M Harikrishnan said they were organising programmes by themselves and also in collaboration with other Tamil forums in Singapore, Canada and the US. “While other people might work from home, these artists have no other way. Instead of giving them funds or food, we are giving them opportunities and also pay them,” he said. “So far, we have engaged 70 artistes in Salem, Erode, and Namakkal — around 12 artistes per performance.”
“At this time of crisis, when people are more prone to stress, art can be a support and can provide them with recreation. Also, only if language and art are practised continuously, we would connect with them and there can be growth in the field. Youngsters say they were not exposed to these art forms. We are recording performances and uploading them on YouTube, so everyone can watch them,” he said.
The online performances are giving them opportunities amid the lockdown, the artists said. Earlier, they used to get around three performances per week. Now, the initiative ensures at least one performance and helps them manage their family.
Speaking of the difference between performing live and virtually, N Raja from Omalur in Salem, who plays Mugaveenai, a wind instrument, for string and shadow puppetry performances, said he misses the excitement and instant appreciation of live performances. “But that wouldn’t stop us. This is art and we can perform anywhere,” the 41-year-old man, who has been performing for 3 decades, said.