Shooting For Docufiction On Ramar Koothu, A Lost Tribal Art Form, Begins

On the auspicious occasion of the Ram Mandir Inauguration in Ayodhya, a unique initiative to revive the traditional art form of Ramar Koothu among tribal communities in Kerala has taken shape. A puja ceremony for the upcoming docu-fiction on Ramar Koothu was conducted at the Mariamman temple in Agali town, Palakkad district, Kerala. The art form, which once thrived as a source of entertainment for tribal populations during festivals, is now being explored through a docu-fiction directed by Maruthan, a member of the Irular tribe from the Vattuluki settlement.

The docu-fiction, produced by director Vijeesh Mani of Vishwaguru fame under the Vijeesh Mani Film Club banner, aims to shed light on the fading art form and preserve its cultural significance. National award-winning singers Nanjamma and Vadukkiamma sang the Sri Rama Charitham during the puja ceremony, marking the commencement of the shoot. The film is set to have a runtime of 45 minutes, and the dialogue will be in the Irula language.

Producer Vijeesh Mani expressed his motivation behind the project, stating that only a few old-timers were aware of the existence of Ramar Koothu. Through contacts with them, he gained insights that helped develop the storyline. The docu-fiction will follow the theme of Srirama Charitham, traditionally performed over seven nights as part of Ramar Kootu in tribal areas. Thammiyamma, a former Ramar Koothu performer and consultant for the movie, participated in the puja ceremony.

The puja ceremony was attended by present Ramar Koothu artists, including Poonan, Karamada, Ishwaran, Vellinkiri, Lakshmanan, and Shivani. Producer Vijeesh Mani shared a video of the Ramar Koothu singers’ performance on his Facebook page while announcing the commencement of the movie’s shooting.

Director Maruthan emphasised the need to reintroduce this fading art form to the new generation, believing that it could even be showcased at international theatre festivals with proper promotion. The docu-fiction will feature 21 artists performing Ramar Koothu, and since most of them are well-versed in the Irula language, the film will be aired in that language.

This initiative not only serves as a cultural preservation effort but also highlights the intersection of tradition, art, and cinema in fostering awareness and appreciation for indigenous practices.