The 36th Anniversary Celebration of Folkland International Centre for Folklore and Culture marked a significant milestone in the long and committed journey of an institution that has been steadfastly devoted to the safeguarding, documentation, and revitalization of India’s intangible cultural heritage since its inception in 1989. Over the past thirty-five years, Folkland has played a pioneering role in identifying numerous intangible cultural heritage elements that were either extinct or on the verge of extinction. Through sustained fieldwork, rigorous documentation, and community-based initiatives, the organisation has worked tirelessly to revive these traditions and ensure their transmission to younger generations by extending systematic training and meaningful performance opportunities, thereby enabling a living continuity of heritage.
In recognition of its immense contribution to the fields of performing arts and cultural preservation, the Government of Kerala, through the Ministry of Tourism, honoured Folkland International Centre for Folklore and Culture with the Award for the Best Performing Centre of Kerala State in 2002. This recognition stood as an early and significant validation of Folkland’s vision, commitment, and grassroots engagement. From 2010 onwards, Folkland further expanded its global engagement by attaining consultative status with UNESCO for Intangible Cultural Heritage, enabling it to provide advisory services to the Intergovernmental Committee, assist in the implementation of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and contribute actively to the development and execution of UNESCO’s programmes through collective consultations, forums, and safeguarding initiatives. At local, national, and international levels, Folkland’s work has consistently foregrounded community participation, often working directly with tradition bearers and practitioners.
Another major dimension of Folkland’s international engagement has been its active role in the Inter-City Intangible Cultural Cooperation Network (ICCN), a UNESCO-accredited organisation, since 2011. Folkland now functions as the Secretariat of ICCN, following the successful conduct of its General Assembly in India for the first time. Dr. V. Jayarajan, Chairman of Folkland, has been serving as the Secretary General of ICCN from 2003 onwards, making sustained contributions to strengthening international cooperation among cities and organisations committed to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. A further milestone in Folkland’s institutional growth has been the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Culture Masters Organization, through which Dr. Jayarajan assumed the role of Chairman of its International Advisory Board from early 2025 onwards. In addition, Folkland’s projects have received consistent support through the CSR initiatives of Dorf Ketal Chemicals since 2018, strengthening its outreach and sustainability. Under these special circumstances, the 36th Annual Day celebration assumed exceptional significance, symbolising both continuity and expansion of Folkland’s mission.
The selection of the venue for the celebration was itself deeply meaningful. The event was held at Keshavatheeram Ayurveda Gramam, a unique institution dedicated to nurturing traditional medical practices while extending compassionate support to the needy, and offering encouragement and assistance to artistes, singers, literary figures, sculptors, and other cultural practitioners. This institution flourished under the visionary leadership of Vediramana Vishnu Namboodiri, whose passing three months before the celebration left a profound void in the cultural and humanitarian landscape. In recognition of his immense contribution to traditional knowledge systems and cultural patronage, Folkland’s 36th Anniversary Celebration was dedicated to his fond memories, transforming the occasion into both a celebration and a heartfelt tribute.
Kesavatheeram Ayurveda Hospital
The Annual Day celebration commenced with the lighting of the traditional lamp by two eminent personalities—Mrs. Latha Antarjanam, the wife of Vediramana Vishnu Namboodiri, and Mrs. Monacha Thambayi, a renowned folk singer who was nurtured and uplifted by Folkland during the 1990s. From her early association with Folkland, Monacha Thambayi has grown into a widely recognized folk singer and later established herself as a film actress, having acted in around twenty Malayalam films. Their presence symbolised the continuity of tradition, patronage, and artistic empowerment that Folkland has consistently upheld over the decades.
Lighting of the traditional lamp
In his presidential address, Dr. V. Jayarajan, Chairman of Folkland International Centre for Folklore and Culture, briefly outlined the organisation’s vision, activities, and major achievements during the last thirty-five years, tracing its journey from a regional cultural initiative to an internationally recognised centre for folklore and intangible cultural heritage. One of the major inaugural highlights of the celebration was the evocative recital of Kathakali songs by the eminent Kathakali singer Kalamandalam Narayanan Nambisan, whose powerful and nuanced rendition added classical depth and aesthetic dignity to the occasion.
Kathakali song by Kalamandalam Narayanan Nambisan
The Chief Guest, Prof. Muhammed Ahmed, former Chairman of the Kerala Folklore Academy and a distinguished orator and literary figure, reflected on his long-standing association with Folkland since its formative years. In his address, he eloquently emphasised Folkland’s immense contributions to the study, documentation, and revitalisation of folklore traditions in Kerala and beyond, acknowledging its role as a beacon of cultural scholarship and community engagement. The programme was further enriched by the presence and artistic contribution of Mr. K. Sivakumar, a noted stick dance artist, whose participation reaffirmed Folkland’s commitment to diverse folk performance traditions.
Chief Guest, Prof. Muhammed Ahmed, former Chairman of the Kerala Folklore Academy
K. P. Sreedharan, Administrator of the Voice of Payyanur Network, while highlighting the role of Folkland in preserving Kerala’s traditional art forms, delivered a condolence speech on the sad demise of Sreenivasan, the celebrated film artist, screenplay writer, playwright, and director of several iconic Malayalam films. Chitran Kunhimangalam, a noted sculptor, recalled the early association of his father, the legendary sculptor Kunhimangalam Narayanan, with Folkland during the early 1990s, underscoring the institution’s longstanding engagement with visual and sculptural traditions. Priya Gopal, an eminent mural painter, extended felicitations to the function, acknowledging Folkland’s role in sustaining classical and folk visual arts.
Following the inaugural session, the venue transformed into a vibrant folk song arena. Monacha Thambayi and her team rendered a series of evocative folk songs that transported the audience to bygone decades. These songs, rooted in agricultural life and paddy cultivation, were traditional work songs that resonated deeply with collective memory and lived experience. K. Sureshan delivered the welcome address, and Dr. Keshavan Vethiraman, Director of Keshavatheeram Ayurveda Village, proposed the vote of thanks.
Folkland song by Monacha Thambayi and team
The afternoon session, held after a sumptuous traditional lunch, was dedicated exclusively to the commemoration of Vediramana Vishnu Namboodiri. The program commenced with the screening of a documentary film dedicated to his life and service. Mr. A. K. Iswaran delivered the welcome address, followed by an introductory speech by Ramakrishnan Kannom, poet and writer. Prof. Muhammed Ahmed delivered a deeply moving commemorative address, recalling Vishnu Namboodiri’s compassionate service to the needy and his unwavering commitment to traditional knowledge systems. Both the documentary and the heartfelt speeches moved the audience profoundly, leaving many with tears in their eyes. Rajesh Chaitram, of Flowers TV fame, also spoke on the occasion and presented a beautifully drawn portrait of Vishnu Namboodiri to Mrs. Latha Antarjanam, a gesture that added emotional depth to the tribute.
In the evening, the venue transformed into a folk theatre auditorium with the performance of the age-old Kerala folk theatre form Pana Porattu by the eminent artist Mannoor Chandran and his team from Palakkad district. A remarkable highlight of the performance was the portrayal of Kurathi by a 72-year-old artiste, who transformed seamlessly into a graceful female character in the one-and-a-half-hour-long Kuravanum Kurathiyum play. The performance was a mesmerizing experience that transported the audience into another world, exemplifying the timeless vitality of Kerala’s folk theatre traditions.
The 36th Anniversary Celebration concluded with a standing ovation, as the audience rose in collective appreciation of an event that seamlessly blended remembrance, celebration, scholarship, and living performance. The occasion stood not merely as a commemorative event but as a powerful reaffirmation of Folkland International Centre for Folklore and Culture’s enduring commitment to safeguarding living heritage, empowering tradition bearers, and fostering meaningful cultural dialogue across generations and geographies.