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| Mariamma, Azhakedath Chirayil, Thiruvalla, Kottayam |
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A sweeper employed in a college teaching postgraduate students there – such is the unique story of Mariamma, a resource person of the fast disappearing folk songs of Kerala.
These folk songs were mostly sung by farmhands to ease the tedium of long and arduous work and were handed down from generation to generation. Some hint at historical happenings while a few rare ones are lullabies. If they have been preserved by word of mouth, we must thank persons like Mariamma.
Mariamma is the youngest of the 5 children of Kunjeppan and Chinnamma of Azhakedath Chirayil, Thiruvalla, who were farm workers. It was from them that she learned these songs. She too worked as in the paddy fields in her young days. After marriage to John at the age of 15, she eventually took up job as a sweeper in S.B.College, Changanassery. It was during this time that the students there had to learn folk songs as part of their curriculum. Some faculty members, who knew the talent of Mariamma, arranged for her to teach the students. It was by singing the songs and explaining their meaning that she made the classes lively. However that assignment was soon over once the authorities changed the text book.
She now gives public performance of these songs with the assistance of her grandchildren Don, Della and Meenu. She has published a book of folk songs titled ‘Maanikyam Pennu’.
Mariamma teaching post graduate students
Courtesy: Kumkumam, July 2003
Contributed by: Administrator
