1. FI R S T P E R SON
Whispers in the
I am spending my stay in
Kerala as an intern with the
NGO Vayali at Arangottukara,
Forest innocent Keralite baby may spread
its ‘naturality’ to people of every
a rural village near Shoranur, colour and creed across the globe.
Thrissur. I have the joy and Jonas Belaen, an We have voluntarily taken up the
research of the various ancient bamboo
honour of joining forces with the young
people at Vayali where we are working aspiring social instruments that are found in many
tribes of Kerala, and all over India..
on a project that aims to revive bamboo
music, one of the least-documented
and cultural Vayali is expanding this valuable
research, including developing
and unknown forms of music in India.
I make African and Latin-American
documentary the production of all documented
style drums out of bamboo – one of the maker from instruments.
As an aspiring social and cultural
factors that connected us as passionate
music and culture lovers and social Belgium, is an documentary maker, I found myself
feeling very much at home in this rural
activists.
Bamboo is a positive symbol in life
intern at Vayali, an community, where young people are
inspired to research and archive their
in so many ways and is connected
to human civilization, more than
NGO located near history and culture, actively exploring
we can remember. Bamboo music Shoranur. Jonas, their true identity.
While we were researching the old,
culture is one of Kerala’s hidden
treasures and we hope to keep it from who makes drums rich culture along the banks of the
River Nila, young locals appeared
extinction, these traditions are bound
to disappear very soon if not carefully
out of bamboo, is keen to learn camera techniques and
editing. I feel that these children,
documented and kept alive by sharing
the knowledge and practice with
currently working rooted in their own history, will grow
the younger generation. I have been on a project aimed stronger and will adapt to face modern
times. The enthusiasm to break free
amazed by how much the ‘Bamboo
Orchestra’ performances at Vayali at reviving bamboo from a conventional life, to escape their
comfort zone and making a way to
are cherished by the art lovers. It is
quite like a person holding a baby – music in Kerala scaling unimaginable heights is what
every human heart can feel the purity this vibrant organisation inspires in
and ancient concept of this creation. seamlessly connects nature, humans the youth of Kerala. It’s important to
I am glad that I could dedicate some and history. I am sure that it will realise that the opportunity Vayali
time and effort towards helping them experience a revival and once again offers its community can be life-
improve their performances. exude the spirit of Kerala on many saving.n
stages, in Kerala and beyond. This -Jonas Belaen
Bamboo music is unique and it
10 Vibrant Keralam August/September 2012