Irula musicians' Delhi debut
Four Irula musicians got a chance to take their first flight perform at a prestigious event in Delhi
For Kadan, Swaminathan, Murugan, and Kaliyappan, four talented Irula musicians from Attappady, Kerala, the opportunity to perform at the Jyotirgamaya Fest 2022 in New Delhi was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Held on June 22, 2022, as part of the Kendra Sangeet Natak Akademi's Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, the festival showcased 75 unsung musical talents from across India, highlighting the country's rich diversity.
This event marked several significant firsts for the Irula quartet: their first first, their first stay at a major guest house in Delhi, and their debut performance at the prestigious Meghadoot Auditorium. The group captivated the audience with their traditional instruments—the 'porai', 'davil', 'kogal', and 'jalra'—all unique to their community.
Their selection for the festival came after Akademi officials discovered performance videos produced by ARPO as part of its Earthlore initiative. The four musicians had also participated in ARPO's Earthlore music concert and workshop in Kochi just a month prior, in May 2021. For their Delhi debut, ARPO Secretary Sruthin Lal accompanied them as their artist manager.
"It was a truly new experience for us, especially the flight travel. It was the first time all four of us had ever flown. We will never forget it," shared Swaminathan, who leads the Azad Kala Sangham of Irula musicians from Agali, Attappady. Murugan added, "We deeply appreciated the respect and treatment we received from the officials at the event. We could also feel that the audience genuinely enjoyed our performance."
This remarkable journey to the national capital not only amplified the Irula community's rich musical traditions but also underscored the vital role of initiatives like ARPO's Earthlore in bringing diverse voices to prominent national platforms.
