The Folk Artists of Tamil Nadu Need Your Help

The lockdown was implemented for around 60+ days and has affected the livelihoods of millions of people across the country. Many small businesses and companies had to shut their doors. However, there are other occupations that were badly affected by the pandemic.

If you were to visit a temple in Tamil Nadu on a festival, you’d experience the aesthetic beauty of folk culture. Folk artists have been around for decades. They’ve put on plays, musical performances, and a wide variety of entertainment forms for the people.

Today, there are thousands of families in Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Puthukottai and Tanjore in Tamil Nadu who’re dependent on folk music for a source of income. Saravanan, a 43-year-old folk artist in Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu slowly moves from one shop to another performing his art. 

Earlier, he used to perform at temples for auspicious occasions and could earn as much as Rs. 10,000, on which his family of 7 survived. Today, he had no other choice but to barter his music outside shops. 

"I have seven mouths to feed, and I am using my music to get basic items to feed them," said Saravanan.

Around 10,000 families who’re dependent on this dying art live in the eastern coastal belt of Tamil Nadu and were affected by the cyclone Gaja in 2019. Before they could rebuild their lives, they’ve been hit with another blow, the Corona pandemic. 

Saravan is not alone in this plight, there are more than 10,000 families scattered around Tamil Nadu who’re solely dependent on folk music and art. The lockdown has deprived them of their livelihood and has now brought them to the verge of starvation. 

January to September is generally seen as the peak season for Karakattam, Nadaswaram and Thavil artists. This is the period of temple festivals and weddings, but three months out of this nine-month season have already gone in the lockdown. 

Due to the Corona scare and the rules imposed with regards to social distancing and public gatherings, even after the lockdown the chances of these people getting any work immediately is very narrow.

"From the month of Thai (Mid January to February), there will be a lot of weddings, and also this is the festival season, but there is nothing now because of Corona virus. Including me, there are seven members in my family, we are struggling to even have one meal a day," said Diety, a nadaswaram player in Katpadi. 

These folk artists have been preserving this dying art for several decades. The lockdown has taken away more than 80% of the earnings. 

Considering the post-lockdown situation, there’s no hope that there could be much work. Even with the crisis looming over their vulnerable professions, they are standing with their art, because it’s the art that has fed their families and ancestors. 

Today, these folk artists in Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Puthukottai and Tanjore need your help to survive. By donating a grocery kit, you wouldn’t just help them feed their family. You’d help them preserve their rich cultural heritage, their art, and their legacy.