A RHYTHM OF DEFIANCE

IN the quiet hamlet of Chinnakamanpatti, the rhythmic thud of the Parai no longer echoes with the silence of social divide.

- HARINI M @ Virudhunagar

An instrument once relegated to the margins and restricted to the sombre rites of mourning has found a vibrant, new life among the village's youth. As dusk settles, the air thrums with the energy of over 20 students reclaiming a lost heritage.

Under the seasoned tutelage of 50-year-old B Saravanakanth and his troupe Athirvu Tamil Isaiyagam, the children are transforming a craft once stigmatised into a symbol of cultural pride.

The journey began a year ago when headmaster M Kaliraj noticed a growing curiosity for traditional arts among his pupils. To channel this interest into a disciplined pursuit, he turned to Saravanakanth. "When I approached Saravanakanth to train them, he agreed immediately," Kaliraj says. "He has never asked for any remuneration and even politely declines when we offer snacks. His commitment to teaching the students has been unwavering."

Once their training is complete, the students will be equipped to perform at public platforms, including the Kalai Thiruvizha, he adds.

For Saravanakanth, this isn't a solitary project but a crusade. Over the past few years, he has been teaching the art form for free to over 300 students from government schools.