Watch | An all-girls parai group from Chennai are drumming up sensational beats
| Video Credit score:
Shiva Raj
The wardens and lecturers of Besant Nagar’s Avvai Dwelling TVR Ladies’ Increased Secondary College are insistent about preserving the sanctity of lunches and dinners at this faculty cum boarding. They hope for quiet meals with as little meals wastage.
On days when meals is delayed by a couple of minutes although, a live performance of cacophony brews. College students like A Kaviya, maintain their plates as one would, the parai, and start with easy beats. Their vaai paadu (vocal rhythms) spill out via spoons and fingers change into their kutchi (sticks). “We don’t want a lot. Even a desk would do. I’ve damaged pots at residence due to banging a tune on them,” she says.
The parai attam artistes from Avvai Dwelling TVR Ladies’ Increased Secondary College
| Picture Credit score:
S Shiva Raj
Throughout moments like this, the canteen hears booming percussive sounds — thaku-ku-tha, being essentially the most fundamental of the vaai paadu holding the instrumentalists collectively. A symphony ensues. A dance breaks out.
Kaviya’s obsession with catchy beats will not be fully her personal. The college has meticulously groomed a gaggle of 20 younger ladies to type the one repeatedly performing all-girls parai attam group in Chennai. For 2 days every week between 3pm and 5pm, the foray of this faculty resembles a live performance venue as the ladies study new dance routines whereas taking part in this historic percussion instrument.
On the Urur Olcott Kuppam Vizha in January 2024.
| Picture Credit score:
S Shiva Raj
N Deepan, their parai aatam instructor who has been educating the ladies since 2016, says that three such groups of ‘Avvai Dwelling Ladies’ taking part in the parai, have graduated. The present crew is comparatively new and had most just lately performed on the Urur Olcott Kuppam Vizha in January this 12 months. “Don’t purchase their shy manner. They’re all vaaiadis (chatterboxes),” he says.
Deepan, who runs the favored Nanbargal Gramiya Kalai Kuzhu (Associates People Cultural Crew) out of Korukkupet in North Madras, says that he has seen this group blossom over time. His time as an teacher has been completely different as a result of ladies normally don’t play the parai. The instrument, for the longest time, was solely performed by males. Extra just lately, blended teams of women and men play collectively. Nonetheless, it’s uncommon to see a group fully of women, taking part in this instrument.
“Including a cultural programme to their schooling has elevated their confidence considerably. It is best to see the variety of cups they’ve gained through the years. Everybody is aware of what to anticipate from the Avvai Dwelling Ladies — an incredible efficiency,” he says.
The parai attam artistes from Avvai Dwelling TVR Ladies’ Increased Secondary College.
| Picture Credit score:
S Shiva Raj
Sangeetha Shivakumar, a part of the core group organising the Urur Olcott Kuppam Vizha, says that the parai attam programme started at Avvai Dwelling in 2016 as a part of the Vizha’s cultural outreach. An intensive choice course of ensued when an announcement relating to parai coaching was made. “A number of folks turned up for the audition. We needed to filter over a number of rounds. There was nice enthusiasm,” she says.
She provides that they carried out on the competition in 2017. “It was envisioned as a programme for that 12 months alone however on the day of the competition one thing modified. One of many ladies seemed terribly unhappy and requested me ‘Avlo dhana?’.. ‘Is that this it?’. That’s after we determined to maintain the programme going,” she says.
Charulatha, a pupil of Class XII who’s graduating from the varsity this 12 months, has been taking part in the parai since Class VII. “I like to bounce. I’d stand exterior the parai class and watch everybody carry out as a result of the beats can be extraordinarily catchy. I’ve learnt over time, a lot in order that I’ve blisters from taking part in the instrument. I put on them with delight,” she says.
On the Urur Olcott Kuppam Vizha in January 2024.
| Picture Credit score:
S Shiva Raj
College students from the group have gone on to play at quite a lot of festivals and occasions organised by the Division of Arts and Tradition of the Tamil Nadu Authorities. R Monika, a pupil of Class VIII says that her favorite performances has been the Urur Kuppam Vizha, the place there have been a whole lot of onlookers who chanted enthusiastic ‘hey’s, disco lights, light sea breeze and the air of festivity. Charulatha provides that profitable second place on the occasion organised by the TN authorities is a reminiscence she is going to cherish. “The judges started dancing with us too,” she says.
Charulatha says that she is leaving faculty quickly and the alternatives to play the parai will considerably diminish. Does this imply she should quit taking part in the instrument? “I’ve already booked a spot with Deepan anna’s group. We create a ruckus throughout time for supper right here regardless of the scolding. The beat is part of us. It isn’t going wherever,” she says.
