A JOURNEY OF ART REVIVAL IN INDIA Annual Report ‘19 A CSR initiative of A WORD FROM THE CHAIRMAN It gives me immense pleasure in their support extended to us in colourful and vibrant activities history within the station’s presenting to you the 29th the form of Corporate Social that include women premises. We are also happy to Annual Report of Folkland on Responsibility grant. This was a empowerment through art & inform that the art trainings, our 30th anniversary. The 30th helping hand for our journey not culture, art training for classes, workshops focusing on anniversary is celebrated as Pearl only to preserve the intangible transgender community, women and other groups began Anniversary. Pearl is known for cultural heritage, but also to Pancharimelam for men, to show positive results, as many its lustre; Folkland is all set to bring the tradition bearers for Charadukuthi Kolkali for groups are receiving substantial shine bright with its glittering achieving the sustainable women, craft training etc. We are earnings from performances in activities to mark the pearl development goal through art proud to say that our initiatives Kerala and other states. anniversary. and culture. As you are aware, we have opened up new vistas to the are adding new feathers on our underprivileged artistic Our vision for the future is to Over the last 29 years, we have cap since 2017 with the support, community, womenfolk with continue to strive hard to fulfil aimed to protect, preserve, inspiration and guidance of our artistic talents, children who wish Folkland’s potential and rejuvenate, showcase and CSR partner, Dorf Ketal for cultural training and the contribute to the growth of the promote the lesser known art Chemicals India. We have society at large that is eyeing world’s largest democratic nation forms that are on the verge of reached unexplored areas of our aesthetic appreciation. Another culturally, economically, socially extinction, as well as the culture and brought rays of hope milestone can be witnessed on and sustainably. intangible cultural heritage of into the lives of the artistic the walls of Kannur Railway Kerala. We take this opportunity community. Station, an effort of around 30 DR. V. JAYARAJAN to immensely thank Dorf Ketal mural artists who displayed the CHAIRMAN Chemicals India Pvt. Ltd. for This year was no exception, with cultural, local and locomotive FOLKLAND - THE PHILOSOPHY Committed to promote guiding the institution and preserve folklore is to delve deep into and culture, Folkland – Kerala’s cultural roots and International Centre for preserve its varied heritage Folklore and Culture, for posterity. Envisioning is a non-profit, a society that respects and non-governmental helps sustain India’s art & organisation set in Kerala, culture, Folkland has India. Established in 1989, successfully created access Folklore is an organisation to performing arts, cultural registered under the Indian education, knowledge & Societies Act 1860. information through cultural practice. With With an objective to active centres across India promote cultural heritage and beyond, the institution among the youth, the hopes to promote and organisation strives to facilitate passing on India’s ensure that Kerala’s diverse rich cultural heritage from culture is nurtured and generation to generation. sustained. The philosophy THE IDEA BEHIND FOLKLAND To benefit the cultural heritage Apart from regular performances, of a country, sustainable Folkland is currently planning a development through effective long-term project with cultural practices plays a documentation and resource FOLKLAND’S GOALS significant role. This can spur archiving for future generations. enthusiasm among performing The project also intends to communities and encourage impart the knowledge of arts to & OBJECTIVES: them to protect their arts. children with special needs and It is imperative that cultural stigmatised sections sensitivity is cultivated among of society such as transgenders, Highlight and preserve cultural Support the livelihood of citizens, shaping a more intersex communities, tribals and heritage through sustainable performance artists by creating responsible and culturally-aware Dalits. Through the education of development tangible activities society. art & culture, Folkland aims to transform the lives of the various Encourage performing artists to Elevate societal status of Folkland strives to create invisible communities in India. continue promoting their various performing artists and offering awareness among the artist art forms them medical or housing needs, community, tackle imposing Folkland’s approach to create performance opportunities etc. heritage threats and provide cultural awareness and Empower marginalised training in order to help sustain sustainability is by conducting: communities and facilitate Educate and equip students with themselves and their valued art inclusion into society through art special needs, transgenders, forms. An effective medium of • Workshops and regular classes education tribals and other lower sections communication, traditional art of society forms are ideal for social • Income-generating programmes Design an advanced, sustainable awareness across villages and model through responsible obscure rural areas. The project • Stage performances cultural tourism aims to bring together a community of advocates who • Awareness events Conduct workshops and speak out for their cultural interactive sessions to bring heritage. awareness among the youth CHARADUKUTHI KOLKALI Weaving art through rhythmic dance Charadukuthi kolkali is a form of CELEBRATING Kolkali, popular in and around FOLKLAND’S 30TH Payyannur. This art form ANNIVERSARY originated from Kalaripayattu, the martial art form of Kerala. The Folkland, in association with Dorf Ketal, dancers hold the ‘Kol’ or the stick celebrated its 30th anniversary along with in their hands attached to a string, International Women’s Day on 8th March, as they move around in tune with 2019 at Shenoy Square, Payyanur. the song and weave elaborate Dr. P. K. Rejula, Principal, Krishnan patterns. Menon Memorial Women’s College, Kannur, inaugurated the programme. Mrs. K. P. Jyothi, Vice Chairperson, Payyanur Municipality presided over the event, while Smt. Narayani Nambiar welcomed the gathering. The introductory remarks were given by Dr. V. Jayarajan, Chairman of Folkland. Mrs. Shyamala E. P. felicitated the programme. The main coordinator of the programme was the well-known Charadukuthi Kolkali Aasaan, Mr. K. Sivakumar. Four Charadukuthi Kolkali teams namely, Chalanam Kudumbasree Charadukuthi Kolkali Sangam, Mahatma Charadukuthi Kolkali Sangam, Sree Ashttamachal Kalasangam Payyanur Theru, Mahadevagramam Charadukuthi Kolkali Sangam gave exemplary performances on stage. Mr. Santhosh Jagdhane, Assistant General Manager, Dorf Ketal honoured Mr. P. K. Krishnan Gurukkal, Mr. Prabhakaran Tharangini, Mr. K. Sivakumar and Dr. Santhosh. PADAYANI Celebrating a goddess with revered masks Padayani is a ritual art form performed at temples devoted to goddess Bhadrakali, located on the river banks of Pampa. Though traditionally, it had lasted for nearly two weeks, presently, it is held for a single day. Kolam thullal is the major portion of Padayani performance. Kolam is a mask made by drawing images on the leaves of the areca nut palm. Wearing this Kolam, the dancer performs the ritual dance in deep devotion. This art form represents spiritual forces or divine characters, and are depicted with terrifying and spectacular face masks and head gear, painted in vivid colours like deep red and black, using natural powders. They include the Ganapathi Kolam, the Yakshi Kolam, the Pakshi Kolam, the Maadan Kolam, the Kaalan Kolam, the Maruthaa Kolam, the Pishachu Kolam, the Bhairavi Kolam, the Gandharvan Kolam and the Mukilan Kolam. Padayani is essentially a community ritual, where villagers are actively involved in collecting areca nut palms and participate in the making of the mask. MURAL PAINTING A treasured art form that dates back to the 9th century A mural is a piece of artwork, painted RELIEF MURAL AT or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or KANNUR RAILWAY any other permanent structure. STATION Commonly depicting mythology and legends, these handmade frescoes Implemented as part of the 30th traditionally use natural pigments and anniversary commemoration of Folkland, the place is now a centre of vegetable hues. Dating back to the attraction for tourists. Every day, over 9th Century, a unique characteristic 15,000 passengers witness the local of the art form is that the architectural history of Kannur and the Railways elements of the surroundings are at the entry and exit approaches of seamlessly showcased in the painting. the railway station. Passengers get to witness the local history of Kannur and the Railways at the entry and exit Folkland provides training in mural approaches of the railway station. painting across Kerala, in Kannur, Kasargod, Calicut and Ernakulam. The mural was put up by a group of 14 artists led by eminent mural artist K. R. Babu. The art occupies a space With the support of Dorf Ketal, of 5000 sq.ft. and depicts cultural Folkland drew mural paintings on the landmarks, village life, activities seen walls of the IT classroom of at the railway station and evolution Kaalichanadukkam School on 20th of trains. The mural works were planned for six phases, the first being June, 2018. Dr. V. Jayarajan, sketching on paper inputs of artists Chairman, Folkland inaugurated the K. K.