It is perhaps as old as language itself – music that originated from the everyday lives of people, and has been passed on by word of mouth through countless generations. Our work and our studies are part of our service to society,” said Dr Vijayalakshmi enthusiastically explaining the many dimensions of folk art.įolk music is often called the purest form of music. “We realised long ago that collecting and preserving as many folk art forms as possible for posterity, and sharing the wealth of this knowledge with the world was our calling in life. Years after retiring as professors in the Department of Folk Arts and Culture from the Madurai Kamaraj University, the couple continue their studies and along with their troupe, conduct stage performances that are sought after by connoisseurs and lovers of folk music around the world.ĭr Navaneethakrishnan Thevarattam performs They have devoted a lifetime to painstaking research, collection, revival, and documentation of ancient folk songs and dances, many of which are fast becoming obsolete for want of artists to continue the tradition and audiences to appreciate them. Together with her husband Dr M Navaneethakrishnan, she has conducted several years of research and study on Tamil folk music and dances.
In these songs that contain the core of ancient Dravidian culture, you can read the complete story of a civilisation.”ĭr Vijayalakshmi Navaneethakrishnan is a renowned exponent of Tamil folk art. Between the lines of folk songs lie glimpses of a way of life that was established by our wise ancestors centuries ago. “These songs and dances that appear so deceptively simple contain a wealth of inherent meaning about the world, the meaning and purpose of life and scientifically prescribed rules on how to live. “There is a deep underlying thread of spirituality in folk music,” said Dr Vijayalakshmi. When she began to sing, the earthy vibrant notes made me feel that I was sitting in the pastoral settings of a quiet village. Her music has an ethereal quality about it. Looking resplendent in a pink and gold sari worn in the traditional Tamilian style with matching ethnic jewellery, Dr Vijayalakshmi Navaneethakrishnan reminded me of the village goddess of her songs. Folk art is a repository of spirituality that enables the villager to bring harmony into his life, build bonds between him and others and above all, instruct him on the truths of life, death and God
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