MANNAN
ARPO’s Earthlore initiative focuses on promoting the culture of tribal communities and encompasses two vital components. The Earthlore Documentation Project, supported by the Samāgata Foundation, involves extensive fieldwork to meticulously record the songs, stories, and rituals of indigenous communities.
Simultaneously, the Earthlore Fellowship Programme, backed by Tata Trusts, empowers young tribal musicians through comprehensive training, skill development, and performance opportunities, ensuring ancient rhythms thrive in a contemporary world.
Mannankoothu : Performance and Songs
Mannan Koothu is a traditional ritualistic dance performance of the Mannan tribal community in Ke...
Mythological Origin of Mannankoothu
According to the beliefs of the Mannan community, Mannan-Koothu was founded by two ancestral brot...
Costume and Makeup in Mannankoothu
Mannan-Koothu features different types of characters, including male, female, and comedian roles....
Mannankoothu Songs and Structure
The Mannan community believes that there are about eighty-five Koothu songs in existence. These s...
Musical Instruments in Mannankoothu
Three main musical instruments or accessories are integral to Mannan-Koothu:(i) Mathalam(ii) Chil...
Women in Koothu
Traditionally, women of the Mannan community did not perform Mannan Koothu. One major reason for ...
Tourism and Koothu
MannanKoothu has found a new platform through tourism initiatives in Kumily, supported by the Dep...
Mannan Festivals
Kalavoottu
The name Kalavoottu is derived from the words Kaalam (meaning a year or season) and Oottu (meanin...
Payayil Iruthal: Mourning Ritual of the Mannan Community
Payayil Iruthal (also called Payel Iruthal) is a traditional mourning ritual observed by the Mann...
Meenoottu: Annual Ritual of the Mannan Community
Meenoottu is an annual ritual performed by the Mannan community to seek protection from diseases ...
Pongal Festival in the Mannan Community
Pongal is one of the major festivals celebrated by the Mannan community, alongside Kalayoottu. Th...
A Unique Governance System
The governance system of the Mannan community is unique, traditional, and deeply rooted in its cu...
4 Mannan and Regional Divisions
This system of governance — combining kingship, councils, law enforcement, and divine intermediar...
The King (Valiyamoopan / Varakkumalan)
The elders narrate that the four Moopans, who were initially equal in power, once met at Thollayi...
9 Kaani
The Kaanis are senior advisors to the King administrative, spiritual, and social matters, represe...
4 Vaathi
There are four main Vaathis in the Mannan governance structure. They serve as intermediaries betw...
10 Ulamthari Ulamtharichikal
The Kulamthaari group is responsible for maintaining law and order within the Mannan community. T...
List of Documentaries
Since initiating our collaboration with the Mannan tribal community of Idukki, we have produced a...