- What went in
- **Research and identification.** The team spent about three to four months researching Kerala's folk art. They chose a tradition and a practitioner for this edition. **Artist co-ordination.** The team contacted Koya Kappad. They explained Friends of Thudippu and agreed the length, needs, and schedule. **Date and venue planning.** The team chose a date that suited the artist. They booked Artiko in Mattancherry as the venue. **Budget and expense planning.** The team listed the expected costs. They covered venue rental, artist pay, and technical setup. Refreshments and other event costs were also included. **Promotion and communication.** The team got the artist's details and photos. They designed a poster and shared it on Thudippu's social media. **Audience outreach.** The team invited friends, artists, and supporters. They invited members of the public too. They visited and spoke with local cafés to spread the word. **Event logistics and looking after the artists.** The team arranged evening tea and food for the artists. They shared the venue and event details and set up the space. **Event management.** The team welcomed the artist, team, and audience. They guided seating and flow and handled sudden sound and light problems during the show. **Records and follow-up.** The team took photos and videos of the event. They thanked the artist and built links for future editions.
- Outside help
- Artist and performing team: Koya Kappad and his team brought their artistic expertise, knowledge, and generational experience of Daffmuttu and Arabanamuttu. Their explanations and audience interaction made the programme an educational experience as well as a performance. Venue support: Artiko, Mattancherry, provided the space for hosting the event. The venue's sound and lighting arrangements were also part of the event setup, although technical difficulties arose during the programme. Local outreach: Conversations with local cafés and personal invitations helped us reach people beyond our immediate network. Food and hospitality support: Arrangements were made at aikyam space to provide food and evening tea for the artists, supporting their comfort during the event.
- Time
- 3 hours
- Cost
- ₹60,000
Friends of Thudippu's fifth edition featured Koya Kappad and his team. They performed Daffmuttu and Arabanamuttu at Mattancherry. The event brought audiences closer to Kerala's folk traditions. It went beyond a conventional show.
Koya Kappad is a seventh-generation practitioner. His family has long been tied to these art forms. The Allasammveetil family made them popular in Malabar. This Yemeni family came to Kappad in Kozhikode in the fifteenth century.
The family has passed the traditions down the generations. The guru tradition is handed down through the male line. Koya Kappad is the latest in this family line.
A best part was how Koya Kappad told the history and context. He set out the rhythms and talam used in the traditions. He showed how they worked. He invited the audience to try them together.
This hands-on way turned the event into a learning moment. People could take part, not just watch.
The performance left a strong impression. Many were seeing these art forms for the first time. The audience response was enthusiastic. The programme showed how live performance and storytelling help people connect with traditions. Such traditions may otherwise remain unfamiliar.
Planning took three to four months. The team researched Kerala's folklore traditions and found the art form and artist. They fixed the venue and performance needs. They prepared promotional materials and reached out to possible audiences. The team also managed event-day tasks, looking after the artists, records, and technical co-ordination.
Sound and lighting caused problems at the venue, and the microphone and sound support failed. The lighting was not the warm lighting asked for. The team kept the programme going. We found we must confirm technical needs in advance. We will put venues with reliable sound and lighting first.
Friends of Thudippu gives Kerala's art forms a stage. It supports the communities and practitioners who keep them alive. Keeping cultural heritage live needs more than records. Artists need chances to perform and share what they know. We see this as our duty to the state's living culture.
First-time exposure: Approximately 90% of the audience experienced Daffmuttu and Arabanamuttu for the first time, introducing these traditions to a new audience.
Increased cultural understanding: The artist's explanations helped the audience understand the history, traditions, and cultural context of the art forms.
Active participation: Audience members were introduced to the rhythms and talam and encouraged to try them, making the performance interactive.
Positive audience response: The audience showed enthusiasm and appreciation for the performance.
A platform for traditional practitioners: The event gave an experienced practitioner an opportunity to share his knowledge and perform for a wider audience.
Strengthening cultural preservation: The programme reinforced Friends of Thudippu's role in connecting Kerala's community-preserved art forms with contemporary audiences.
Organisational learning: The experience helped the team identify improvements needed in venue selection, sound management, and technical planning.
(Participants told us)
The team confirmed the technical needs one week before the event. They checked the setup before the audience arrived. The outside sound and lighting technician was not there during the show. This led to sound and microphone issues. The lighting was also not the warm lighting asked for.
We found that technical help must be there throughout the performance. It cannot be there only for setup. For future editions, we will put venues with reliable sound and lighting first. When outside teams are involved, we will book a dedicated technician for the whole event.
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