Singer Ila Arun helms a performance discussion that explores two community traditions deeply rooted in the reverence of snakes
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If you have grown up on a healthy dose of pop culture im India, chances are, that you’ve watched many films and TV shows on snakes, including some where the creatures transform themselves into humans. The plots emerge from folk tales that have been passed down generations through oral traditions and performing arts. This weekend, witness a few such art forms and stories at a lecture demo, guided by Ila Arun. She will be accompanied by storytelling experts from Lokkala Academy, University of Mumbai. Proficient in folk traditions and fine arts, Arun will take the audience through tales from across India, where snakes play a pivotal role.
Root cause
“I am not a researcher, but a keen observer. I grew up in Rajasthan, in a family that celebrates all festivals. My forefathers are from UP, which also has its set of traditions and celebrations. As a child too, I’ve always been interested in folk art, subconsciously. In college, I was sent to Delhi to be part of the Republic Day Parade, twice, where I witnessed tableaus from across India, interacted with the artistes and even tried to learn their styles,” shares Arun, who has in the past interacted with.popular music communities like the Langas and Manganiyars from Rajasthan as well as the state’s Kalbelia dancers, for her music albums in the past.
Ila Arun with Kalbelia performers
The talk-cum-performace will see performers dance the Kalbelia, a folk dance associated with a nomadic tribe of snake catchers of the same name from Rajasthan, and Nagmantri ka Jagran, a ritual around serpents performed in Maharahstra. The dance that requires lithe dancers to imitate the movements of a snake has made it to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Both traditions are performed in the honour of Lord Shiva. The pungi (or been) is an instrument that the Kalbelia community uses to enchant snakes. The main performers of Kalbelia act are female dancers who swirl, replicating the movements of a serpent. Nag Mantri is a celebration in which Shiva devotees observe an all-night vigil, sing devotional hymns and songs and play music on instruments made of copper and brass. Tales on the avatars of Lord Shiva are enacted at night.
“When I arrived in Mumbai, I worked in Shyam Benegal’s Mandi. We would take long road journeys for the shoot, and I would sing in the bus along with everyone. That’s when people said that I have an earthy, open voice that suits folk music. While doing a show on the genre for Doordarshan, I realised that apart from being a compere, I knew a Folk song for each occasion. I wanted to share these insights,” Arun informs.
Nag Mantri ka Jagran from Maharashtra
Fear and revere
“In India, we are scared of snakes and revere them as well. Stories like the one about Sheshnag and Krishna’s Kalia Mardan have a special place in our mythology. Communities like the Kalbelias have been offering milk to snakes and worshipping them for generations. Animal welfare NGOs came up later in the day. The community has always told stories about protecting wildlife and living in harmony with nature,” shares Arun, adding, “We will talk to the communities about why they do what they do and see what is common between the two traditions. There will be action and reaction. We haven’t rehearsed, as folk forms are spontaneous and full of life.”
The show will be the first presentation in a series by the folk dance platform Lok Gatha, an initiative by the National Centre for the Performing Arts, to help promote and preserve tribal and Folk traditions and rituals. The initiative will try to provide livelihood opportunities to rural and tribal communities, who treasure the traditional performing arts.
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