Pourakarmika children master skills in folk arts

Nearly 300 pourakarmika children who has less exposure to several folk arts forms, are now mastering their skills, and are achieving excellency in art, culture. Thanks for the initiative of Art Patrol Srinivas G Kappanna, who is conducting summer camps for the pourakarmikas children from last two consecutive years.

When Mysuru was announced as cleanest city, to show gratitude to the pourakarmikas he thought of hosting summer camps for the children. He introduced folk arts like Kamsale, Dollu Kunitha, beating drums and Nagari, Kollatta, Kangal-Karga, traditional Indian Sports ‘Mallakhamba’, and several other folk arts forms, singing theater songs, acting and much more have been thought to the children. Experts in the field were brought to the camp, and children were thought.

He made all the 30 pourakarmikas colony spread over city to come under the banner of Adidravidha Thamate and Nagarai Samsrkuthika Kalavrunda, and thought them various form of folk dances, and made children know the importance of folk arts, and motivating the young minds to showcase their talents, thereby bringing them to the main stream of society. 

Srinivas G Kappanna said: ‘Pourakarmikas are untouchables among dalits. Bring them to mainstream of society is a herculean task. But, teaching them our rich tradition of art and culture was a remarkable experience. I noticed the children were more interested in folk form, than classical, and in the last year some of the folk arts were thought. This year, further extending Mallakhamba, Bellu Kunitha, Kagil-Karga were thought to the children.’

Kappanna has trained couple of the colony girls, so that they can continue practicing throughout the year, and can patronage art and culture.

Kalavrunda President C Manjunath said that after children started learning folk arts, there is lot of changes in their attitude and they are getting exposure to the outer world.

The children are been provided with opportunities at several functions to play drums, kamsale, etc.

Community Head Rachaiah said: ‘Children of pourakarmikas need not follow our ancestors profession. By introducing them to the other world, they can excel in other professions and know the limitations and scope. There is need of engaging the community children in more sports and cultural activities. The practices given helps to acquire various art and culture forms skills.’

A 10^th standard girl Amrutha, who has mastered her skills in dollu and nagari said: ‘Am very much happy by undergoing the training in camp. I wish to use the art as medium to fight against casteism. I want our community children in large to come to the mainstream of society, and art is giving recognition for us from last one year. Am planning to engage the colony children in cultural activities round the years, which helps them to improve concentration, and also know about art forms.’

Another girl Srilkashmi said: ‘Am very much excited to learn the art forms. The way people were looking towards has changed. We are giving dollu kunitha performances in functions, and we are receiving huge applauds. Learning folkforms gives confidence to interact with people, and boldness to face society.’

14-year-old Arjun who has learnt Mallakhamba said: ‘Learning Mallakhamba was amazing experience. I came to know about the importance of fitness, and feel more healthier after practicing the traditional game. I had only seen others doing, now am happy am also part of the game.’ 

“The summer camp has come like a big relief for the children of pourakarmikas. If any wish to pursue in art field, they can fulfill their dreams. More platforms should be created for the children to showcase their talents, and government should give opportunities for children to perform in government events,” opined parents Ramamani and Srinivas.