Nanjiamma, who used to graze sheep, is worshiped today! Shall we listen to the hidden ?: Jacques Bijoy

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Nature always has a rhythm, melody and melody. The sound of the sea, the roar of the wind, the roar of the river, the chirping of the birds are all part of the music. Music is associated with each country, its culture, and its folk arts and customs. Folk songs were composed in connection with the daily life, work and celebrations of each community. The roots of Kerala’s musical tradition are intertwined with folk songs. The reality is that the possibilities of folk songs and folk singers have not been used properly in the film. We need to see that music culture does not stand still. Music director Jacques Bijoy was one of the artists who tried to bring tribal music to film. What sets him apart is that he has sung in films with tribal singers. Jacques introduced the music to the audience with the film ‘Ayyappan and Koshy’. When Jacques Bijoy opened his mind to Manorama Online about the culture of folk song and its cinematic potential on World Music Day.

‘When Ayyappan and Koshy did, I had the freedom to do whatever I wanted in terms of music. Sachiyettan (director Sachi) did not lay down any terms about the song. I asked him if he could include a folk song in the film. Sachiyettan agreed. He sent a group of folk artists he knew and told me to go and see if I had the people I needed. I really liked the song of a woman in it. I put them aside and sang the songs ‘Daughters of God’ and ‘Kalakkatha’. They are the nanjiamma you see today. I chose them to sing in the film because of the difference in their voices that day. Had it not been for that, like many singers today, they would have gone unnoticed. With the advent of songs of tribal culture, the level of cinema itself changed. Sachiyettan left without even asking for a ride, saying that they should work together like this in other films as well.

I have a connection with folk songs. It is a great desire to bring that music culture to cinema. I feel emotionally close to the unique music of Kerala. I’m doing a playlist like a free music album with our folk songs. Its name is ‘Root Series’. Our unique music is the earthy folk music. Everything else is sometimes the music of a group of people or something that has evolved from several sections. This is what later became film music. I often feel the need to bring the potential of our folk songs to cinema.

When people like Nanjiamma are brought to the forefront, the energy that the community gets is huge. They are all good rhythmic people. “Attappady had a bad name. When Ayyappan and Koshy came, we had an identity, sir,” many there later said. After Ayyappan and Koshy, everyone was very curious about them. Their songs were becoming an emotion. Millions of people became fans of Nanjiamma after listening to her songs. Nanjiamma, who used to graze goats in Attappadi, is now doing some independent songs. Nanjiamma gets invited to concerts in many places. I plan to do a folklore album featuring Nanjiamma. When cinema becomes the art of only those with privilege, the real artists are hidden somewhere unknown.

I have a great love for folk music. Pulluvan has used singers for the film ‘Kumari’. Kerala has a rich musical tradition. The fact is that we do not use it properly. Now the methods are changing. Not only me but a lot of composers try to bring folk songs to the mainstream. When I went to Marayoor for work on the film Vilayath Buddha, I met some of the tribal singers there. Known as the ‘Anchunattukars’ from the five villages, the people of the area have a mixed language and culture of Tamil and Malayalam. Marayoor, a part of Kerala, has a lot of interesting music that is not Malayalam or Tamil. Our current preparation is to make it a magnificent work by singing with the singers there. Folk songs and customs we often hear and forget but do not take it seriously. But folk music is an art that can have a profound effect on our minds if used properly.

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