Women-Sinkarimelam troupes going places

Two major women’s Sinkarimelam troupes in Kozhikode district missed the Kudumbasree 17th anniversary contest as they were performing as part of Onam celebrations in Delhi and Bengaluru. Yes, these women are literally going places, thanks to an art form that has changed the course of their lives for ever.

There are 13 women-Sinkarimelam troupes in the district, eight of them under the Kudumbasree fold. All these troupes are doing quite well with at least 15 performances a month, up to 20 during peak season. Every troupe has average 20 members and they charge around Rs.15,000 inside the district. They are highly in demand not just for Onam celebrations and temple festivals, but even for shop inaugurations and weddings.

However, it was not a path of roses for them. When the Kuruvattur Community Development Society started the ‘Swaralaya’ troupe four years ago, they had to face severe criticism for trying to do something that is meant only for men. “We were accused of creating noise while practising. But the same people who criticised then are now seeking entry into the troupe,” says secretary of the troupe Ajitha Kumari.

Monsoon is an offseason for the troupes in Kerala, but they make up for it with performances in Tamil Nadu at the time. The festival season from November to May is the peak season. “We get more recognition when we go out of the State. The Kudumbasree fold has a good name across the country,” says M.K. Vanaja, leader of ‘Varna Mudra’ of Unnikulam CDS, the first troupe in the district. They have travelled across South India and to some parts of Maharashtra for their performances.

With the increase in number of troupes, the competition is intense and each troupe has a rare trick up their sleeve to impress their audience. Starting from colourful uniforms, they bring up different beats and dance steps for variety. The ‘Swaralaya’ has a troupe of young girls performing Vilakkattam while ‘Varnamudra’ has a men’s team performing Pookkavadi that performs alongside their Sinkarimelam.

“The members of our troupe are happy with the outcome. Sinkarimelam has helped us mould a life. We could settle our debts, get our homes done as well as get our children educated,” says Ajitha Kumari adding that her daughter is a B.Arch student.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Kerala / by Aabha Anoop / August 27th, 2015