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Tribal Students in Kerala Trained as Master Trainers and Judges for Indigenous Art Forms

In an effort to systematically preserve and assess indigenous cultural traditions, the Adikala Kendram under the Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (KIRTADS) has completed the training of its first batch of 26 tribal students in Paniya dance and music.

What Happened

The initiative, supported by ₹50 lakh in financial assistance from the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is a two-month professional certificate programme designed to build a pool of certified master trainers and judges from indigenous communities. The first batch of 26 participants included men and women aged between 18 and 45 from Wayanad, Idukki, and Kasaragod districts. Training for this group was conducted by approximately 10 experienced Paniya artistes, supplemented by a 10-day induction module led by resource experts from Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed-to-be University.

Key Highlights

  • Target Communities: The broader project encompasses five tribal communities: Paniya, Paliya, Irula, Hill Pulaya, and Mavila.
  • First Cohort: 26 students completed training specifically focused on Paniya dance and musical traditions.
  • Curriculum Focus: Trainees studied traditional performance techniques, authentic nuances, and structured methods for judging and assessing artistic presentations.
  • Funding and Approval: The programme is approved and funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs with a budget of ₹50 lakh.

Why This Matters

According to training coordinators, tribal art forms are frequently performed at school festivals and cultural events by individuals who learn basic steps through online platforms like YouTube without a deep understanding of their heritage and techniques. By developing certified master trainers and judges from the respective communities, the programme aims to ensure that indigenous dance and music forms are taught accurately and evaluated with cultural and technical competence.

What to Watch Next

Certificates for the inaugural batch of 26 students will be presented during a ceremony on the KIRTADS campus on August 10. Following the completion of the Paniya cohort, subsequent batches will be organized with artistes from the Paliya, Irula, Hill Pulaya, and Mavila communities to train participants in their respective indigenous traditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which institution is conducting the training?

The programme is conducted by the Adikala Kendram, functioning under the Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (KIRTADS) in Kozhikode.

Which communities are covered under this project?

The initiative covers five tribal communities: Paniya, Paliya, Irula, Hill Pulaya, and Mavila.

What role did Kerala Kalamandalam play in the programme?

Resource persons from Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed-to-be University conducted a 10-day induction programme to prepare trainees for evaluation roles and broaden their understanding of traditional performance characteristics.

Source: Based on reporting by The Hindu.