MUMBAI: To rediscover the marvel of Kerala folk songs that formed the very foundation of the native character which later lost their place in the winds of time and the storms of classical music and various other music forms, the Mumbai Pattolam under the banner of Vaikhari took place on 16th and 17th February at the serene CIDCO Urban Haat in CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai.
Vaikhari is an art-lovers' team that is set up to work in harmony with the Pattolam conceived by Njeralathu Kalashramam. Vaikhari has been doing their best by bringing the Mumbai Malayalees to various traditional folk songs through a medium called 'Pattolam', championed by Njeralathu Harigovindan.
On 16th Feb, the inaugural day, Pattolam unveiled the stage in a different way as they put their tribute to the martyred soldiers in the wake of the deadliest Pulwama attack in Jammu & Kashmir. They cancelled their pre-planned inaugural ceremony and comes up with a tribute through music along with candle lights. Njeralathu Harigovindan delivered a song written by himself as a dedication to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Harigovindan reminded the audience that we have only the lamp of tears left with us to give back to those people who gave us the opportunity to dream big while they protected our nation without having a sleep.
Manoj Kuroor, famous poet and novelist, enlightened the day with his talk on the role of music in Kerala life and the role of Kerala life in music. Famous writer Anand Neelakantan also joined the session with his thoughts.
The session followed by music extravaganzas such as the Manthrompaattu, Balikala Paattu (Theyyattu), Chimmaanakali Paattu, Kanikaar Kaattu Paattukal and Maramkottu pattu which were all once the native songs of Kerala, but later lost its prominence.
Famous writer and orator M.N. Karassery added more colour to the Pattolam as he felt his presence with his wonderful delivery on the inter-related role of music and life in Kerala society. Karassery remembered the days when there was no caste, creed or religion in music and the way Malayalee enjoyed the music irrespective of the social background of the creator behind that music.
"Gone are the days when Music had no religion and no caste. Malayalees enjoyed every song which was written by Hindu, Muslim or any other religion. Poets from that particular religion did not write most of the famous Muslim film songs. That is Music has only one language", Karassery said.
"Vaikom Muhammed Basheer once said, music is none other than god itself", he added.
The speaker also shared his concerns regarding the change in approach by the Malayalees towards the music. He shared his feeling all are not well in place now.
There was no short of music on the second day too as Harimuralleravam, a musical fusion by Njeralathu Harigovindan and Vayali Bamboo Music, turned the night to another level. Bamboo Music Band is the first of its kind in the country where all the musical instruments are made of by using bamboo tree only.
