Mappila songs (or ''Mappila Paattu'') are a
folklore
Folklore is shared by a particular group of people; it encompasses the traditions common to that culture, subculture or group. This includes oral traditions such as tales, legends, proverbs and jokes. They include material culture, ranging ...
Muslim
Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...
song genre rendered to lyrics, within a melodic framework (
Ishal), in
Arabi Malayalam
Arabi Malayalam (also called Mappila Malayalam and Moplah Malayalam) is the traditional Dravidian language of the Mappila Muslim community. It is spoken by several thousand people, predominantly in the Malabar Coast of Kerala state, southe ...
by the
Mappilas
Mappila Muslim, often shortened to Mappila, formerly anglicized as Moplah/Mopla and historically known as Jonaka/Chonaka Mappila or Moors Mopulars/Mouros da Terra and Mouros Malabares, in general, is a member of the Muslim community of same n ...
of the
Malabar
Malabar may refer to the following:
People
* Malabars, people originating from the Malabar region of India
* Malbars or Malabars, people of Tamil origin in Réunion
Places
* Malabar Coast, or Malabar, a region of the southwestern shoreline o ...
region in
Kerala
Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...
, India.
Mappila songs have a distinct cultural identity, while at the same time remain closely linked to the cultural practices of Kerala.
The songs often use words from
Persian
Persian may refer to:
* People and things from Iran, historically called ''Persia'' in the English language
** Persians, the majority ethnic group in Iran, not to be conflated with the Iranic peoples
** Persian language, an Iranian language of the ...
,
Hindustani, and
Tamil
Tamil may refer to:
* Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia
** Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils
**Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia
* Tamil language, nati ...
, apart from Arabic and Malayalam, but the grammatical syntax is always based in
Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam was des ...
.
They deal with themes such as religion, love, satire, and heroism, and are often sung at occasions of birth, marriage, and death. ''Mappila Paattu'' form an integral part of the heritage of
Malayalam literature
Malayalam, the lingua franca of the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puduchery, is one of the six Classical languages of India. Malayalam literature comprises those literary texts written in Malayalam, a Sou ...
today and is regarded by some as the most popular branch of Malayalam literature, enjoyed by all
Malayali
The Malayali people () (also spelt Malayalee and also known by the demonym Keralite) are a Dravidian peoples, Dravidian ethnolinguistic group originating from the present-day state of Kerala in India, occupying its southwestern Malabar coast. ...
communities in
Kerala
Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...
and
Beary
The Beary (also known as Byari) is a community concentrated along the southwest coast of India, mostly in the Mangalore district of the south Indian state of Karnataka. They are an ethnic group of Indian Muslims with their own distinct cul ...
speaking communities of
Karnataka
Karnataka (; ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a state in the southwestern region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally known as Mysore State , it was renamed ''Karnat ...
.
[Pg 7-14, Mappilappattu - Padhavum Padhanavum ( Mappila songs - Study and Lessons) - Balakrishnan Vallikkunnu and Dr. Umar Tharamel, D.C. Books, 2006][Pg 145, Social and cultural history of Kerala, A. Sreedhara Menon,Sterling, 1979][Pg 38-39, Kerala folk literature,Kerala Folklore Academy, 1980]
History
Mappila songs have been in circulation for over seven centuries, with the first dated work ''Muhyidheen Mala'' attributed to Qadi Muhammad in 1607 AD. Thereafter a large number of literary materials were produced in this medium; one authority has calculated that of these more than 1600 items, complete or fragmentary, were known by 1976.
[Pg 288-289, Mappila Muslims of Kerala: a study in Islamic trends, Roland E. Miller,Orient Longman, 1992] Over the centuries, various types of Mappila Pattu were composed, in accordance with the religious and political surroundings in the lives of the Mappilas of Malabar. The early centuries were primarily based on devotional works, while the colonial era was marked by the battle song genre called ''Padappattu''. Various other categories also grew during the centuries with subjects ranging from romantic ballads and marriage songs to philosophical ideas, sea journeys and even flood ordeals.
Early works
The earliest known dated works in ''Mappilappattu'' belong to the 17th century and primarily belonged to the ''Mala'' genre.
Malappattu
The ''mala'' genre of Mappila songs, generally written in
Arabi-Malayalam
Arabi Malayalam (also called Mappila Malayalam and Moplah Malayalam) is the traditional Dravidian language of the Mappila Muslim community. It is spoken by several thousand people, predominantly in the Malabar Coast of Kerala state, southe ...
script are praises of pious personalities of Islam who were supposed to have gained high spiritual status. Generally, most such works were themed on the lives of Sufi saints (''
Auliya''). Most of these songs narrate "superhuman" deeds of these saints. The songs became popular in an era when
Sufism
Sufism ( ar, ''aṣ-ṣūfiyya''), also known as Tasawwuf ( ''at-taṣawwuf''), is a mystic body of religious practice, found mainly within Sunni Islam but also within Shia Islam, which is characterized by a focus on Islamic spirituality, r ...
gained a strong foothold amongst the
Mappila
Mappila Muslim, often shortened to Mappila, formerly anglicized as Moplah/Mopla and historically known as Jonaka/Chonaka Mappila or Moors Mopulars/Mouros da Terra and Mouros Malabares, in general, is a member of the Muslim community of same n ...
s. Each Mala often corresponded to the leader of a Sufi order called ''
Thareeqath'', who was abundantly showered praises in the poetry, often well-exceeding the limits of human capabilities. Popular among these are the ''
Muhyidheen Mala'', the ''
Rifa'i mala'', the ''
Shaduli Mala'', the ''
Ajmeer Mala'', and the ''Nafeesath mala''. Each of these corresponded to their respective Sufi orders while the last is about ''Nafeesathul Misriyya'', a woman Sufi saint of Egypt more commonly known as Sayyida Nafeesa.
[Pg 25-27, ''Mappilappattu - Padhavum Padhanavum'' ( Mappila songs - Study and Lessons) - Balakrishnan Vallikkunnu and Dr. Umar Tharamel, D.C. Books, 2006][Pg 144, Muslims of Kerala: a modern approach,S. Sharafudeen,Kerala Historical Society, 2003][Pg 40-41,Mappila Muslims: a study on society and anti colonial struggles By Husain Raṇdathaṇi, Other Books, Kozhikode 2007]
The 17th century also witnessed the composition of other popular works in the ''Malappattu'' genre, namely the ''Rifai Mala'' (1623) by Ahammadul Kabeer, ''Uswath Mala'' (1628) and ''Valiya Naseehath Mala'' (1674) by Manantakath Kunhikoya Thangal.
18th century
Songs of the 18th century were primarily of the ''Kissa'' genre, narrating stories of the prophets of Islam or Sufi saints. Examples of such songs include the ''
Ibrahim
Ibrahim ( ar, إبراهيم, links=no ') is the Arabic name for Abraham, a Biblical patriarch and prophet in Islam.
For the Islamic view of Ibrahim, see Abraham in Islam.
Ibrahim may also refer to:
* Ibrahim (name), a name (and list of people ...
Nabi Qissa'' and the ''
Ibrahim Ibn Adham
Ibrahim ibn Adham also called Ibrahim Balkhi (); c. 718 – c. 782 / AH c. 100 – c. 165 is one of the most prominent of the early ascetic Sufi saints.
The story of his conversion is one of the most celebrated in Sufi legend, as that of a prin ...
Kissa''. Songs like the ''Kappappattu'' and ''Safalamaala'' by Shujayi Moidu Musaliyar
[Pg 172, Kerala Muslims: a historical perspective - Asgharali Engineer, Ajanta Publications, 1995] conveyed ideological messages to the community in the era of post-Portuguese years when the identity and existence of the
Mappilas
Mappila Muslim, often shortened to Mappila, formerly anglicized as Moplah/Mopla and historically known as Jonaka/Chonaka Mappila or Moors Mopulars/Mouros da Terra and Mouros Malabares, in general, is a member of the Muslim community of same n ...
were in a shattered state.
;Kunhayan Musaliyar
Kunhayan Musaliyar lived in the early 18th century.
He authored the popular works titled ''Nool Mad'h'' (1737 A.D.), ''Nool Mala''(1785 A.D.) and ''Kappappattu''. Nool Mad'h was a devotional work on
Prophet Muhammed
Muhammad ( ar, مُحَمَّد; 570 – 8 June 632 CE) was an Arab religious, social, and political leader and the founder of Islam. According to Islamic doctrine, he was a prophet divinely inspired to preach and confirm the monothe ...
with 666 lines composed in 16 different ''Ishalukal'' (
Ishals).
[Kunhayan Musaliyarude Nool Mad'h - Kavithayum Kaalavum, Dr. P. Zakir Hussain, Mahakavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Mappila Kala Academy, Kondotty, Kerala., 2014] Kappapattu consisted of 600 lines composed in a single
Ishal, narrating with wit and humour, the voyage of the human body through the journey of life, portrayed here as a vessel in the ocean voyaging through the seas. The ''Kappappattu'' remained hugely popular for centuries, next only to the ''Muhyiddeen Mala''.
;Umar Qadi
Veliyankode Umar Qadi, (1757-1852) was a scholar, poet and freedom fighter from
Veliyankode
Veliyankode is a beautiful sandy coastal village and a Gram panchayat in Ponnani taluk, Malappuram district in the state of Kerala, India. It is located on the middle of Malabar Coast, between Ponnani and Perumpadappu, Malappuram, Perumbadappu ...
, near
Ponnani
Ponnani () is a municipality in Ponnani Taluk, Malappuram District, in the state of Kerala, India. It serves as the administrative center of the Taluk and Block Panchayat of the same name. It is situated at the estuary of Bharatappuzha (Riv ...
, well known for his tax non-cooperation movement against the British rule in the Malabar. He composed songs of various subjects, ranging from the
Cheraman Perumal
Perumal (the 'Great One') is the name of a Hindu deity.
It was also a medieval Indian royal title of:
*Western Ganga dynasty Narayanan, M. G. S. ''Perumāḷs of Kerala''. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 171.
**Sripurusha
**Rajamalla
**Nitim ...
to Arabic grammar. Other poems of his criticized the wrongdoings of members of his own community. He also wrote many poems in Arabic.
[Pg 590-592, Journal of Kerala studies, Volume 6,University of Kerala., 1979]
19th century and early 20th century
The dawn of the 19th century saw the
advent of British rule in the Malabar. The songs of this era are marked by the rising anti-British feelings in the Mappila society in the backdrop of the agrarian tenancy discontent against the British backed
Jenmi
Jenmi is the term used to refer to the landed aristocracy of Kerala. They formed the landowning nobility as well as the landed gentry of the region during Medieval times, and the majority of the estates and feudal properties were owned by this ...
landlords. Most of the songs of the era fall under the ''Padappattu'' ( battle songs) genre.
Padappattu
The first dated work in this genre was the ''Zaqqoom Padappattu'' dated 1836. This song was actually an
Arabi-Malayalam
Arabi Malayalam (also called Mappila Malayalam and Moplah Malayalam) is the traditional Dravidian language of the Mappila Muslim community. It is spoken by several thousand people, predominantly in the Malabar Coast of Kerala state, southe ...
translation of the Tamil work ''Zakkoon Padayppor'' composed by Varishay Mukiyudheen Poolavar of Madurai in 1686. Alim Umar Labba, a Mappila religious scholar from
Kayalpattanam
Kayalpattinam (also known as Kayalpatnam or Kayalpattanam) is a Municipality in Thoothukudi district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. As of 2011, the town had a population of 40,588.
History
Also known as Kayal, it is referred to in Marco ...
translated it into
Arabi-Malayalam
Arabi Malayalam (also called Mappila Malayalam and Moplah Malayalam) is the traditional Dravidian language of the Mappila Muslim community. It is spoken by several thousand people, predominantly in the Malabar Coast of Kerala state, southe ...
. Many of the tunes (Ishals)of Zakoon Padayppor have been largely utilized by famous Arabi Malayalam poet, Moin Kutty Vaidyar, especially in his master piece work, Badre Padappattu.
The songs of the ''Padapattu'' genre can be classified into four different types:
* Islamic folk tales : These songs have no relation to actual historic events but either from a folk tale, a legend or simply an imaginary story related to Islamic traditions. Songs of this category include the ''Zaqqum Padappattu'' and the ''Jinn Padappattu''. The former is a story about an imaginary confrontation of King Zaqqum of Iraq and Prophet Muhammed of Arabia while the latter is story about the
Jinn
Jinn ( ar, , ') – also Romanization of Arabic, romanized as djinn or Anglicization, anglicized as genies (with the broader meaning of spirit or demon, depending on sources)
– are Invisibility, invisible creatures in early Arabian mytho ...
s, the other creation parallel to human beings as taught by the
Qur'an
The Quran (, ; Standard Arabic: , Quranic Arabic: , , 'the recitation'), also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God. It is organized in 114 chapters (pl.: , sing. ...
.
* Islamic history : These songs narrated events from the early years of Islam, and in particular the early battles of Islam. The ''
Badar padappattu'', the ''
Hunayn Padappattu'' and the ''
Karbala
Karbala or Kerbala ( ar, كَرْبَلَاء, Karbalāʾ , , also ;) is a city in central Iraq, located about southwest of Baghdad, and a few miles east of Lake Milh, also known as Razzaza Lake. Karbala is the capital of Karbala Governorat ...
padappattu'' are characteristic of this category.
* Mappila history : Songs of this type typically narrated the heroic deeds of the Muslims of Kerala and eulogize the martyrs among them, especially in their battles against the Portuguese and British colonial powers and local
Jenmi
Jenmi is the term used to refer to the landed aristocracy of Kerala. They formed the landowning nobility as well as the landed gentry of the region during Medieval times, and the majority of the estates and feudal properties were owned by this ...
landlords. Typical among these are the ''Kotturpalli Mala'',
Moyinkutty Vaidyar
Moyinkutty Vaidyar (1852–1892), often referred to as ''Mahakavi'' (great poet), is historically considered one of the most renowned poets of the Mappila pattu genre of Malayalam language.
Personal life
Moyinkutty was born to Unni Mammad a ...
's ''Malappuram Padappattu''(1883) etc.
and the ''Cherur Padappattu''. The first depicts the heroism of Veliyankode Kunhi Marakkar, a warrior who saves a 17-year-old Mappila girl from the hands of Portuguese kidnappers but is martyred at the end of the battle. The eulogy here is enhanced with the simultaneity of the character's death with his hour of marriage. The other two narrate stories of Mappila attacks on the British and the
Jenmi
Jenmi is the term used to refer to the landed aristocracy of Kerala. They formed the landowning nobility as well as the landed gentry of the region during Medieval times, and the majority of the estates and feudal properties were owned by this ...
landlords during the 19th century. The ''Cherur Padappattu'', composed by two poets named Mammad Kutti and Muhyidheen in 1841, refers to a battle between
Mappila
Mappila Muslim, often shortened to Mappila, formerly anglicized as Moplah/Mopla and historically known as Jonaka/Chonaka Mappila or Moors Mopulars/Mouros da Terra and Mouros Malabares, in general, is a member of the Muslim community of same n ...
rebels and the army of the
East India Company
The East India Company (EIC) was an English, and later British, joint-stock company founded in 1600 and dissolved in 1874. It was formed to trade in the Indian Ocean region, initially with the East Indies (the Indian subcontinent and Southea ...
. The rebels had assassinated Kaprat Krishna Panikkar, the ''
adhikari
Adhikari (Devanāgarī: अधिकारी, Sinhala: අදිකාරී) (also spelled Adhikary or Adhicary) belongs to Brahmins and Rajput caste native to the Indian subcontinent, mainly found in Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka.Adhikari of Kum ...
'' of
Tirurangadi
Tirurangadi is a municipal town in Malappuram district of Kerala, India. It is a historic town famed for its active participation in the freedom struggle, especially those dating back to the 1920s. It serves as a local taluk and is located ...
and sought refuge in a deserted house. The soldiers later surround them and in the ensuing battle, seven Mappilas and 20 of the Company army lost their lives. The ''Cherur Padappattu'' narrates this story praising the "martyrs" amongst the Mappillas in this battle.
* Fictional songs: These songs were about purely imaginary subjects. The ''elippada'' which narrates a 3-day imaginary battle between rats and cats based on a ''
Panchatantra
The ''Panchatantra'' (IAST: Pañcatantra, ISO: Pañcatantra, sa, पञ्चतन्त्र, "Five Treatises") is an ancient Indian collection of interrelated animal fables in Sanskrit verse and prose, arranged within a frame story. '' story falls under this category.
The common feature of all these songs were their pattern of narration of the bravery of the heroes depicted.
While the battle songs roused the feelings of the community against the authorities, this era also witnessed the popularization of romantic ballads like Moyinkutty Vaidyar's ''Badarul Muneer Husnul Jamal'' and Chettuvayi Pareekkutty's ''Soubhagya Sundari''. One of the notable aspects of both these works were the age of the authors at the time of the composition; Vaidyar was said to have been 17 or (by some reports) 20 at the time and so was Pareekkutty.
[Pg 99 -110 ''Zaqqum Padappattu'', Mappilappattu - Padhavum Padhanavum (Mappila songs - Study and Lessons) - Balakrishnan Vallikkunnu and Dr. Umar Tharamel, D.C. Books, 2006]
Moyinkutty Vaidyar
Moyinkutty Vaidyar
Moyinkutty Vaidyar (1852–1892), often referred to as ''Mahakavi'' (great poet), is historically considered one of the most renowned poets of the Mappila pattu genre of Malayalam language.
Personal life
Moyinkutty was born to Unni Mammad a ...
(1857-1891), often referred to as ''Mahakavi'' (great poet) is historically considered one of the most renowned and authentic Mappila poets.
Born into an
Ayurvedic
Ayurveda () is an alternative medicine system with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. The theory and practice of Ayurveda is pseudoscientific. Ayurveda is heavily practiced in India and Nepal, where around 80% of the population rep ...
family in 1857 at
Kondotti
Kondotty is a developing town, municipality, and aerotropolis in the Malappuram district state of Kerala, India which is located near Calicut International Airport, 24 km from Malappuram. It is the headquarters of Kondotty Taluk, which was ...
in
Malappuram
Malappuram (also Malapuram) () is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of including the surrounding suburban areas. The first municipality in the district formed in 1970, Malappuram serves as the administrative headquarter ...
district, he was well versed in Sanskrit and Arabic.
[Pg 88, Malayalam literary survey: Volume 16, Issue 1 - Volume 17, Issue 4,Kēraḷa Sāhitya Akkādami - 1994] At a very young age of seventeen, he composed the romantic epic ''Badarul Munir - Husnul Jamal (1872)'' .
His later works were on totally different themes that were essentially war songs in nature. The ''Badar Padappattu'' and ''Malappuram Padappatt'' are the most popular songs of this genre. ''Shabvathul Badarul Kubra''(1875), more popularly known as the ''Badar Padappattu'' is considered one of the finest compositions of ''Mappilappattu'' .
[Pg 56-65, Mappilappattu - Padhavum Padhanavum ( Mappila songs - Study and Lessons) - Balakrishnan Vallikkunnu and Dr. Umar Tharamel, D.C. Books, 2006] It narrates the tale of the
Battle of Badr
The Battle of Badr ( ar, غَزْوَةُ بَدِرْ ), also referred to as The Day of the Criterion (, ) in the Quran, Qur'an and by Muslims, was fought on 13 March 624 CE (17 Ramadan (calendar month), Ramadan, 2 Anno Hegirae, AH), near the ...
by Prophet Muhammed and his companions. The ''Malappuram Padappattu'' (1883), also known as the ''Madhinidhi Mala'' describes the undercurrents of peasant life and struggles in
Malappuram
Malappuram (also Malapuram) () is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of including the surrounding suburban areas. The first municipality in the district formed in 1970, Malappuram serves as the administrative headquarter ...
in the 18th and 19th centuries.
[Pg 101, Journal of Kerala studies, Volume 6,University of Kerala., 1979][Pg 43, Kerala Muslims: a historical perspective, Asgharali Engineer,Ajanta Publications, 1995][Pg 193 Kerala District Gazetteers: Malappuram, Kerala (India), A. Sreedhara Menon,printed by the Superintendent of Govt. Presses]
The songs of Moyinkutty Vaidyar are distinguished by their depth of imagination, the beauty of the metaphors used, the creativity comparisons involved and the variety of their ''ishals'' (tunes/modes).
Pulikkottil Hyder
Pulikkottil Hyder, born in 1879 at
Wandoor
Wandoor is a town in Malappuram district of Kerala, India at . It is located 13 km away from Nilambur.
Notable people
* The renowned ''Mappila Paattu'' poet Pulikkottil Hyder was born here.
* T. K. Hamza, former minister of Kerala and ...
was a popular poet who composed short songs in Arabi-Malayalam on topics of common interest, often attacking social evils. His simple lyrics on ordinary life of the Mappilas defied the traditional patterns of Mappilappattu thus giving him the name " The
Kunchan Nambiar
Kunchan Nambiar was a prominent Malayalam poet of the 18th century (1705-1770). Apart from being a prolific poet, Nambiar is also famous as the originator of the dance art form of Thullal, most of his works were written for use in Thullal perfo ...
of ''Mappilappattu''". In ''Vellappokka Maala'', he describes a heavy flood that affected all throughout the Malabar, Mysore and Travancore. The sufferings of common men in the flood are depicted beautifully using only ordinary Malayalam vocabulary.
The ''Pulikkotil Hyder Smaraka Puraskaram'', instituted by the ''Mahakavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Smaraka Committee'' and given to personalities who have contributed to the art of ''Mappilappattu'' is named after him.
The foundation for a memorial for the poet was laid in his hometown
Wandoor
Wandoor is a town in Malappuram district of Kerala, India at . It is located 13 km away from Nilambur.
Notable people
* The renowned ''Mappila Paattu'' poet Pulikkottil Hyder was born here.
* T. K. Hamza, former minister of Kerala and ...
by former
Chief Minister of Kerala
The chief minister of Kerala is the chief executive of the Indian state of Kerala. In accordance with the Constitution of India, the governor is a state's ''de jure'' head, but ''de facto'' executive authority rests with the chief minister. Fol ...
C.H. Mohammed Koya in April 1979, but the work has remained incomplete ever since.
In 1979, the Mappila Kala Sahithya Vedi published a compilation of his works titled "Pulikkottil Krithikal".
Other poets
;Chakeeri Moyidin Kutty
Chakeeri Moyidin Kutty of Cherur, near
Vengara, authored his poetry on the
Battle of Badr
The Battle of Badr ( ar, غَزْوَةُ بَدِرْ ), also referred to as The Day of the Criterion (, ) in the Quran, Qur'an and by Muslims, was fought on 13 March 624 CE (17 Ramadan (calendar month), Ramadan, 2 Anno Hegirae, AH), near the ...
titled ''Ghazvath Badril Kubra'' (The great Battle of Badar)) in 1876, a year after Moyinkutty Vaidyar's ''Badar Padappattu''. It began a fresh pattern in ''Mappilappattu'' where the poetry was in pure
Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam was des ...
language, unlike the earlier works that involved use of Arabic, Kannada and Tamil. The poem was also known as the ''Chakkeeri Badr'', to distinguish it from the other works on the same subject by other poets. The work is said to have been modified a couple of times by the author himself. He also authored a Malayalam-Arabic-Sanskrit dictionary and is considered one of the major Mappila poets of the 19th century.
[Pg 492-493, A handbook of Kerala, Volume 2,T. Madhava Menon, International School of Dravidian Linguistics, International School of Dravidian Linguistics, 2002]
;Chettuvayi Pareekkutty
(b. 1853) author of ''Futhuhussaman'', ''Minhathul Bari'', ''Soubhagya Sundari'' and ''Adi Ahaduna'' was another well-known poet of the era. He was well versed in Tamil, Sanskrit and classical music.
Futhuhussaman is not an original work of Chettuvayi Pareekukutty. It was a translation of a Tamil work by same name.
1920s and later
The early 20th century witnessed the growing influence of Malayalam in the Mappilappattu genre. This period was characterized by the rise of theological reform movements and nationalist mobilization in the Malabar. Songs of the era also involved themes of Pan-Indian nationalism and the Independence movement against the British. The 1921
Malabar Rebellion gave birth to a large variety of songs of this genre.
;T Ubaid
Born T Abdurahman (1908-1972) at Thalankara in
Kasargode
Kasaragod () is a municipal town and administrative headquarters of Kasaragod district in the state of Kerala, India. Established in 1966, Kasaragod was the first municipal town in the district. It is the northernmost district of Kerala and ...
, T Ubaid was one of the greatest figures of Malayalam literature in the 20th century. He was well versed in English, Malayalam, Arabic, Urdu, Kannada, Sanskrit and Tamil. Often referred to as ''Mahakavi Ubaid'', he was both a poet and a researcher of ''Mappilappattu'', documenting a large collection of Mappila songs popular in the North Malabar through oral tradition. His historic speeches and rendering of hitherto unheard ''kissa pattukal'' at the Kozhikode Sahitya Parishath conference in 1947 and similar conferences drew attention of the intellectuals of Malayalam literature to the rich literary traditions of ''Mappilappattu''.
;S.A. Jameel
S.A. Jameel is a poet widely associated to the ''kathu pattu'' (Letter songs) genre of Mappila songs. His most popular works remain the 1976 letter and reply duet ''Ethrayum bahumanappetta ente priya bharthavu vayikkuvan'' (Oh my dear respected husband) and ''Abu Dhabeelullorezhuthupetti'' (A letterbox in Abu Dhabi). The former is a wife's letter to her husband abroad in
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi (, ; ar, أَبُو ظَبْيٍ ' ) is the capital and second-most populous city (after Dubai) of the United Arab Emirates. It is also the capital of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the centre of the Abu Dhabi Metropolitan Area.
...
requesting his return, while the latter is the husband's reply to his wife.
The poet, who had psychological counselling sessions with many of the womenfolk of Malabar living separated lives from their husbands in the Gulf, described the anguishes of separation as felt by the women in the first song. The lyrics of the song referred in particular to the sexual and emotional needs of the woman and generated both praise and controversy within the community. The second song, composed as the husband's reply was also based on his interactions with the diaspora Mappila community during his visits to the Middle East in the late 1970s. It described the hardships and emotional dilemma faced by the migrant workers separated from their families. The songs created a huge impact on the whole diaspora community across different religions at the time prompting many to leave their jobs and return to their homeland for good. Though the ''kathu pattu'' (songs in the form of letters) existed before the works of S.A. Jameel, it was his works that popularized the genre amongst the common people of the Malabar.
Social context
; Religious teachings
In the early years of Mappilappaattu, the songs were written with a specific purpose of educating the masses about the religious teachings of Islam. In an era that preceded the printing press, oral traditions played an important role in the religious education of the Mappilas, especially those who could not read or write. Some of the early songs written entirely for this purpose included the ''
Aqeedath Mala'', ''Niskaarapaattu,
Naseeha Naseeha ''(نصيحة ) Naṣīḥa'' is the Arabic word for ''advice''. It can also mean ''recommendation or sincerity'' (particularly in Islamic contexts). The Islamic prophet Muhammad described deen (religion) as naseeha (advice, sincerity, good ...
th Mala, Kombinte paattu, Liqa Mala, Amaliyyath Mala'' etc.
;Anti-colonial struggles
In the context of the
Mappila uprisings against the British rule in
Malabar
Malabar may refer to the following:
People
* Malabars, people originating from the Malabar region of India
* Malbars or Malabars, people of Tamil origin in Réunion
Places
* Malabar Coast, or Malabar, a region of the southwestern shoreline o ...
in the 19th and 20th centuries, the ''Pada pattu'' played an important role in rousing Mappila sentiments of the Mappila peasantry in their struggle.
The contribution of these ballads was a vital factor in the growth of a collective consciousness of a heroic tradition amongst the
Mappila
Mappila Muslim, often shortened to Mappila, formerly anglicized as Moplah/Mopla and historically known as Jonaka/Chonaka Mappila or Moors Mopulars/Mouros da Terra and Mouros Malabares, in general, is a member of the Muslim community of same n ...
s. After almost every uprising of the 19th and 20th centuries, songs eulogizing the heroism of the participants and idealizing their sacrifice were composed and propagated by Mappila bands which went around the countryside singing them. Ballads were also popularized through group singing at social and domestic functions. These war songs often contained vivid descriptions of carnal pleasures of paradise awaiting the "martyrs". Prior to the launch of an attack, the rebels in aspiration of "martyrdom" used to recite the ''Mala pattu'' alongside other preparations.
The struggle by the Mappilas against Portuguese invaders in the 16th century led by
Mappila
Mappila Muslim, often shortened to Mappila, formerly anglicized as Moplah/Mopla and historically known as Jonaka/Chonaka Mappila or Moors Mopulars/Mouros da Terra and Mouros Malabares, in general, is a member of the Muslim community of same n ...
legends like
Kunhali Marakkar
Kunjali Marakkar (alternatively spelled Kunhali Marakkar) was the title inherited by the Admiral of the fleet of the Samoothiri / Zamorin, the king of Kozhikode / Calicut, in present-day Kerala, India. There were four Marakkars whose war tacti ...
s were also a major theme of such songs.
[Pg 452, Asian journal of social science, Volume 35, Issues 1-5, Brill, 2007] Another popular theme in these songs were the battles of the early Muslims of Arabia which is evident in songs like ''
Badar Padappattu'', ''
Uhad Padappattu'', ''
Hunain Padappattu'', ''
Makkan Fathahu'' and ''
Khandaq
Khandaq ( fa, خندق) is a village in Charuymaq-e Sharqi Rural District, Shadian District, Charuymaq County, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country loc ...
Padappattu''. The songs provoked the Mappila population against the British authorities to the extent that a large number of them including the publications of the ''Cherur Padappattu'' were confiscated and destroyed by the authorities.
These songs also provided an insight for historians into the thoughts and viewpoints of the rebels and have been used for authentic historic compilation. The songs on the ''Malappuram shahids'' provide the earliest description of an armed struggle between the
Mappila
Mappila Muslim, often shortened to Mappila, formerly anglicized as Moplah/Mopla and historically known as Jonaka/Chonaka Mappila or Moors Mopulars/Mouros da Terra and Mouros Malabares, in general, is a member of the Muslim community of same n ...
s and the
Jenmi
Jenmi is the term used to refer to the landed aristocracy of Kerala. They formed the landowning nobility as well as the landed gentry of the region during Medieval times, and the majority of the estates and feudal properties were owned by this ...
landlord class in the pre-Mysore era.
William Logan, refers to the ''Cherur Padappattu'' in the
Malabar Manual
The ''Malabar Manual'' was an 1887 publication by William Logan, a Scottish officer of the Madras Civil Service under the British Government, appointed the Collector of Malabar. The work was commissioned by the Government of Madras, and origin ...
while describing the incident. (Pg 560,Vol 1, Asian Educational Services, 2000). Roland Miller also quotes from this ballad in "Mappila Muslims of Kerala: a study in Islamic trends". (pg 119, Orient Longman, 1992.)
The 1921
Malabar Rebellion also spawned a large number of Mappila songs.
Many of these songs describe the events at the Khilafat movement in Malabar and offer a view into the conditions in Malabar during the era. A song sung at a Khilafat meeting at
Tirurangadi
Tirurangadi is a municipal town in Malappuram district of Kerala, India. It is a historic town famed for its active participation in the freedom struggle, especially those dating back to the 1920s. It serves as a local taluk and is located ...
in 1921 described the aims of the
Khilafat Movement
The Khilafat Movement (1919–24), also known as the Caliphate movement or the Indian Muslim movement, was a pan-Islamist political protest campaign launched by Muslims of British India led by Shaukat Ali, Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, Hakim Ajma ...
in a mindset of complete harmony with the National movement led by
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (; ; 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948), popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist Quote: "... marks Gandhi as a hybrid cosmopolitan figure who transformed ... anti- ...
:
''Munthiya Banduvay Hinduvum Muslimum ''(Hindus and Muslims have deep relations)
''Moulana showathum Doula Khilafathum ''(The nation of Khilafath that the
Moulana shows us)
''Entri Vannavidham Mahatma Gandhi than sahitham '' (He brought it to us along with the great Gandhi)
Ahmed Kutty composed the ''Malabar Lahala enna Khilafat Patt'' in 1925 describing the events of the rebellion. Even the prisoners of the rebellion like Tannirkode Ossankoya used to compose songs in their letters to their relatives.
;Marriage
The ''Mailanchi Pattu'', the ''Oppana Pattu'' and the ''Ammayi Pattu'' belong to the category of ''Mappila Pattukal'' dealing with love and marriage. They are sung in chorus in connection with marriage festivals, often accompanied by rhythmic clapping by women.
;Migration
In the
"Gulf boom" years of the 1970s and 80s, mass migration of workers from the Malabar to the oil-rich Gulf states of the Middle East resulted in households where the working men were often separated from their womenfolk and the only means of communication was the letter. This brought about a huge interest in the ''Kathu pattu'' (letter song) genre of Mappilappattu. The lyrics of these songs often connected closely to the lives of the migrant workers and their families and it popularized this genre of Mappilappattu.
;Others
Mappila songs occasionally did also narrate stories outside the Muslim community. One such ballad was called the ''Mappila Ramayana'' deals with the story of the Hindu mythological figure Sri
Rama
Rama (; ), Ram, Raman or Ramar, also known as Ramachandra (; , ), is a major deity in Hinduism. He is the seventh and one of the most popular '' avatars'' of Vishnu. In Rama-centric traditions of Hinduism, he is considered the Supreme Bein ...
.
Female presence in Mappilappattu
Mappila womenfolk feature prominently in the culture and literature of Mappilappattu in various ways. The presence of female poets in Mappilappattu literature long predated the first female presence in Malayalam literature. A large number of Mappila songs also had female subjects as their main theme.
Songs of the ''Oppana'' genre typically described the beauty of a bride in colourful terms. The famous ''Badarul Muneer Husnul Jamal'' by
Moyinkutty Vaidyar
Moyinkutty Vaidyar (1852–1892), often referred to as ''Mahakavi'' (great poet), is historically considered one of the most renowned poets of the Mappila pattu genre of Malayalam language.
Personal life
Moyinkutty was born to Unni Mammad a ...
devotes a section to describe the beauty of the heroine named ''Husnul Jamal''.
Another popular subject of composition was the lives of the prominent women of the early years of Islam in Arabia. The popular ''ChandiraSundariMala'' by female poet PK Haleema narrated the marriage of the Aisha with Prophet Muhammed. Other songs by female poets like CH Kunhayisha, V Ayishakkutti etc. depicted sorrowfully the final moments of Khadija, wife of Prophet Muhammed and Fatima, his daughter. The famous ''Nafeesath Mala'' by Nalakath KunhiMoideen Kutty praises a woman named Nafeesa, who belonged to the lineage of the Prophet. It ends with a prayer for her well-being in the
Hereafter
The afterlife (also referred to as life after death) is a purported existence in which the essential part of an individual's identity or their stream of consciousness continues to live after the death of their physical body. The surviving ess ...
. Other major female poets include Puthur Amina, Kundil Kunhamina, B Ayishakkutty and K Aminakkutty.
[Pg 21-22, and Pg 133-144 Mappilappattu - Padhavum Padhanavum ( Mappila songs - Study and Lessons) - Balakrishnan Vallikkunnu and Dr. Umar Tharamel, D.C. Books, 2006]
Songs by male poets like the ''Mariyakkuttiyude Kath'' by Pulikkottil Hyder and the ''Dubai kathu pattu'' by S.A. Jameel also focussed on the emotional aspects of the life of the womenfolk in the Mappila community.
Influence
;Mala songs and ordinary life
The Mala songs were believed to inculcate a religious belief in those who recited and listened to them and were hence given a spiritual status corresponding to the works of
Ezhuthachan
Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan (, ) (Malayalam: തുഞ്ചത്ത് രാമാനുജൻ
എഴുത്തച്ഛൻ) ( ''fl.'' 16th century) was a Malayalam devotional poet, translator and linguist from Kerala, south India. ...
and
Cherusseri Namboothiri
Cherusseri Namboothiri (Malayalam:ചെറുശ്ശേരി നമ്പൂതിരി) is a 15th-century Malayalam poet who belonged to Kolathunadu, in present-day North Malabar region of Kerala. He was a court poet of Udaya Varma (1446 ...
amongst the
Hindu
Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
population of Malabar. Many were recited daily at
Mappila
Mappila Muslim, often shortened to Mappila, formerly anglicized as Moplah/Mopla and historically known as Jonaka/Chonaka Mappila or Moors Mopulars/Mouros da Terra and Mouros Malabares, in general, is a member of the Muslim community of same n ...
homes. The ''Muhyidheen Mala'' was considered a protection from all calamities while the ''Rifa'i Mala'' was chanted as a cure from burns and snake bites. Similarly, the ''Nafeesath Mala'' was prescribed for pregnant woman for an easy child birth. The importance accorded to the ''Mala'' songs was so high that their memorization was regarded as a qualification for a would-be bride.
Songs of Moyinkutty Vaidyar used to be sung and explained to public audiences in what was known as ''Seera Parayana Sadassu'' (history recital sessions). These often lasted for many nights together and were a popular scene throughout the Malabar.
[Pg 36-40, Ishal Paithrukam, Quarterly Magazine of the Mahakavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Memorial Center for Studies and Research on Folk and Mappila Arts (SCARF)Vol 1]
The early 20th century witnessed the rise of reform movements within the
Mappila
Mappila Muslim, often shortened to Mappila, formerly anglicized as Moplah/Mopla and historically known as Jonaka/Chonaka Mappila or Moors Mopulars/Mouros da Terra and Mouros Malabares, in general, is a member of the Muslim community of same n ...
community. They objected to the messages of the ''Mala'' songs citing their contradictions with many of the basic tenets of Islam, often referring to them as ''Khurafath''. Occasionally though, they used same medium to spread their message. Examples of these included the ''Parishkara Mala'' and the ''Durachara Mala''.
;Cinema and poetry
The spirit of their themes and beauty of representation in the ''Mappila Paattukal'' have left a lasting impression on
Malayalam poetry Malayalam poetry is poetry written, spoken, or composed in Modern, as well as Old and Classical, Malayalam.
History
The history of Malayalam poetry dates back to the 12th century; the earliest poetic work in a near-Malayalam language, or what mi ...
. Well-known poets like P. Krishna Kumar,
P. Bhaskaran
Pulloottupadathu Bhaskaran alias as P. Bhaskaran (21 April 1924 – 25 February 2007), was a Malayalam poet, lyricist of Malayalam film songs, and filmmaker. He penned more than 3000 songs for about 250 films. He also directed 44 Malayalam fea ...
, and
Vayalar Ramavarma
Vayalar Ramavarma (March 25, 1928 – October 27, 1975), also known as Vayalar, was an Indian poet and lyricist of Malayalam language. He was known for his poems which include ''Sargasangeetham'', ''Mulankaadu'', ''Padamudrakal'', ''Aayisha'' a ...
have composed a great number of popular Mappila songs. Mappila songs have been popular in the
Malayalam cinema
Malayalam cinema is an Indian film industry of Malayalam-language motion pictures. It is based in Kochi, Kerala, India. The films produced in Malayalam cinema are known for their cinematography and story-driven plots. In 1982, ''Elippathayam' ...
ever since the success of the 1954 classic ''Kayalarikaathu vala erinjappol'' by
K. Raghavan
K. Raghavan (2 December 1913 – 19 October 2013), also fondly called Raghavan Master, was a Malayalam music composer and Carnatic Vocalist. Along with G. Devarajan, V. Dakshinamoorthy and Baburaj, Raghavan is often credited for the renaissance ...
from the movie ''
Neelakuyil
''Neelakuyil'' ( en, The Blue Cuckoo; ml, നീലക്കുയിൽ) is a 1954 Malayalam film jointly directed by P. Bhaskaran and Ramu Kariat. It is a neo-realistic melodrama and was based on a story written by Uroob who co-wrote the ...
''.
Other popular melodies include ''Oru kotta ponnundallo'' from the movie ''Kuttikuppayam'' and ''Palanu thenanu'' from ''Umma'' by
M.S Baburaj. Some of the movies that prominently include songs of this genre are ''Mailanchi'', ''Pathinalamravu'', ''Ulpathi'', ''Sammanam'', ''Manya Maha Janangale'', ''Sammelanam'', ''1921'' and ''Marc Antony''.
;Television
"Mylanchi" is the most popular reality show by Asianet. The show is on the way to the fifth season named "Mylanchi Little Champions". "Pathinalam Ravu" by MediaOne has established as the most popular reality show in a short span of time. A show which upholds the traditional values of Mappila Pattu,"Pathinalam Ravu" is now going through its third edition.
''Patturumal'' is a popular
reality show
Reality television is a genre of television programming that documents purportedly unscripted real-life situations, often starring unfamiliar people rather than professional actors. Reality television emerged as a distinct genre in the early 19 ...
on Mappilapattu being aired on
Kairali TV
Kairali TV is an Indian Malayalam-language general entertainment television channel owned by Kairali TV Network (Malayalam Communications Limited). It is headquartered at Thiruvananthapuram. It was launched on 17 August 2000. The channel is bac ...
.
Jai Hind TV channel has telecast a reality showy by name "Mappilapattukal".
Personalities
S. M. Koya noted for his genre of Malabar Mappila Pattukal has won the appreciation of and respected by of film music directors like
K. Raghavan
K. Raghavan (2 December 1913 – 19 October 2013), also fondly called Raghavan Master, was a Malayalam music composer and Carnatic Vocalist. Along with G. Devarajan, V. Dakshinamoorthy and Baburaj, Raghavan is often credited for the renaissance ...
,
M. S. Baburaj
Mohammad Sabir Baburaj was an Indian music composer. He is often credited for the renaissance of Malayalam film music. Baburaj has rendered music to many evergreen Malayalam film songs.
Early years
Baburaj was born on 9 March 1929 in Kozhikode ...
, and
A. T. Ummer
Anjukandy Thalakkal Ummer ( ml, അഞ്ചുകണ്ടി തളയ്ക്കൽ ഉമ്മർ) (10 March 1933 – 18 October 2001) was a Malayalam music composer from Kerala, India. He is known for composing many soft melodies for 174 ...
.
In 1925, Gul Mohammed, father of veteran singer K.G. Sathar, recorded his voice in gramophone, which became the first
gramophone record
A phonograph record (also known as a gramophone record, especially in British English), or simply a record, is an analog sound storage medium in the form of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove. The groove usually starts nea ...
in
Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam was des ...
. The singer and composer V. M. Kutty made significant contribution to popularise the Mappila songs. He is credited with having performed Mappila songs on stage for the first time in 1957.
Eranjoli Moosa
Eranholi Moosa (18 March 1940 – 9 May 2019) was an Indian Mappilappatu singer and playback singer. He is considered one of the greatest and most influential Mappilappattu singers of all time. During his musical career, Moosa has performed sol ...
is also another singer, who is considered to have revolusionised the Mappila songs and is often considered one of the greatest Mappila singers of all time. He has performed solo in more than 1000 stages. Other respected names who composed Mappila songs are Punnayurkulam V Bapu, O. M. Karuvarakkundu and Mohar Munir.
Songs written by P.T. Abdul Rahman and sung by S.V.Peer Muhammad were compiled in a book ''Pīrmuhammad pāṭiya putiya Māppiḷappāṭṭukaḷ'' (Songs sung by Pir Muhammad).
Abdul Hayy, IP Sidique
Balakrishan Vallikkunnu is a researcher in Mappila literature and has researched various aspects of the messages conveyed in Mappila songs, including the anti-colonial sentiments in them.
The other prominent personalities associated with this genre of music include:
;Singers
* M Kunhi Moosa
* K.G Sathar
* V.M Kutty
* S. M. Koya
*
Eranjoli Moosa
Eranholi Moosa (18 March 1940 – 9 May 2019) was an Indian Mappilappatu singer and playback singer. He is considered one of the greatest and most influential Mappilappattu singers of all time. During his musical career, Moosa has performed sol ...
*
M.S. Baburaj
*
Vilayil Faseela
* Peer Muhammed
* V. T. Murali
* Ramla Beegum
* N.P. Fousiya
* Aysha Beegum
* Vadakara Krishnadas
* M. Shailaja
* Mukkam Sajitha
* Farisha Khan
* Laila Razak
* Azeez Thayineri
* H. Mehaboob
*A.V.Mohamed
* E.P.Shihab
* M. P. Ummerkutty
* Kannur Saleem
* Kannur Shareef
* Shameer Chavakkad
* Sindhu Premkumar
* Nasnin (Baby Nasnin)
* Randathani Hamsa
* IP Sidique
;Poets
* Nalakath Kassim
* Bappu Vellipparamba
* K. T. Moideen
* P.T. Abdul Rahiman
* Pakkar Pannoor
* Badarudheen parannur
* Faisal Kanmanam
* OM Karuvaramkund
* Fasal Koduvally
* Shaheer Chennara
* Hamsa Narokav
;Composers
* M.S.Baburaj
* K.Raghavan
* Chand Pasha
* K. V. Abootty
* Shihab Areekode
* Mohsin Kurikkal
* M A Azeez Bhai
Institutions
Vaidyar Smarakam
![Vaidyar](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/Vaidyar.JPG)
In 1999, then
Chief Minister of Kerala
The chief minister of Kerala is the chief executive of the Indian state of Kerala. In accordance with the Constitution of India, the governor is a state's ''de jure'' head, but ''de facto'' executive authority rests with the chief minister. Fol ...
E. K. Nayanar inaugurated the ''Mahakavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Smarakam'' at the poet's birthplace in
Kondotty
Kondotty is a developing town, municipality, and aerotropolis in the Malappuram district state of Kerala, India which is located near Calicut International Airport, 24 km from Malappuram. It is the headquarters of Kondotty Taluk, which wa ...
as a cultural centre to attract research into ''Mappilappattu'', and its studies and interpretations in
Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam was des ...
. The foundation stone was laid by, then Chief Minister,
K. Karunakaran
Kannoth Karunakaran (5 July 1918 – 23 December 2010) was an Indian politician and member of the Indian National Congress (INC). He served as the Chief Minister of Kerala four times during the late 1970s through the mid 1990s. He is the ...
on 24 December 1994.
[Plate 2, Mahakavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Samboorna Krithikal,Vol 1] The centre runs certificate courses in ‘Mappilappattu’ and ‘Mappila kali’. It also has attached to it a folklore study centre, a historical museum, and a reference library containing rare manuscripts in Arabi-Malayalam and other handwritten manuscripts. Each year it conducts the ''Vaidyar Mahotsavam'', a two or three-day festival that includes cultural and literary programmes related to all
Mappila
Mappila Muslim, often shortened to Mappila, formerly anglicized as Moplah/Mopla and historically known as Jonaka/Chonaka Mappila or Moors Mopulars/Mouros da Terra and Mouros Malabares, in general, is a member of the Muslim community of same n ...
art forms. The Vaidyar Memorial Lecture is also delivered during the festival. In 2005, a two-volume compilation of his works was released as a book ''Mahakavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar, Sampoorna Krithikal'' by the ''Mahakavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Smaraka Samithi'' under the aegis of the Culture Department,
Government of Kerala
Government of Kerala is the subnational government of the Indian state of Kerala. The government is led by a chief minister, who selects all the other ministers. The chief minister and their most senior ministers belong to the supreme decision ...
.
It also published a collection of essays on
Moyinkutty Vaidyar
Moyinkutty Vaidyar (1852–1892), often referred to as ''Mahakavi'' (great poet), is historically considered one of the most renowned poets of the Mappila pattu genre of Malayalam language.
Personal life
Moyinkutty was born to Unni Mammad a ...
titled ''Mahakavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Padanangal''.
On 12 June 2008,
M. A. Baby
Mariam Alexander Baby is an Indian politician and member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) from Kerala. He was elected to the Politburo of CPI(M) in the 20th Congress held at Kozhikode, Kerala, in 2012.
Personal life
M.A. Baby was born to ...
, Minister of Education and Culture, Government of Kerala, inaugurated the Mahakavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Memorial Center for Studies and Research on Folk and Mappila Arts (SCARF) at the Vaidyar Smarakam complex. A regional centre for study of Mappila folk arts was also set up at
Mogral
Mogral is a census town in Kasaragod district in the state of Kerala, India. Mogral is part of Kumbla Grama Panchayat. The Mogral River flows on the southern border of Mogral.
Demographics
As of 2011 Census, Mogral had a population of 8,912 ...
in
Kasargode
Kasaragod () is a municipal town and administrative headquarters of Kasaragod district in the state of Kerala, India. Established in 1966, Kasaragod was the first municipal town in the district. It is the northernmost district of Kerala and ...
district in 2009.
[Pg 12, Ishal Paithrukam, Quarterly Magazine of the Mahakavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Memorial Center for Studies and Research on Folk and Mappila Arts (SCARF)Vol 1]
Other institutions
The Kerala Mappila Kala Akademi, set up in 2001, is dedicated to this genre of music in Kerala. The Akademi awards distinguished personalities from the Mappilappattu field each year, and also provides fellowships for researchers in the field. The awards are named after popular figures in the field of Mappilappattu, like Gul Mohammed,
K.K. Muhammed Abdul Kareem and Qadi Mohammed.
The All Kerala Mappila Sangeetha Academy was established in 1992 and instituted the Mahakavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Award and the M.S. Baburaj Award. It also holds annual arts festivals with emphasis on Mappila arts.
Conclusion
The literature of Mappila Songs represent the aspirations of the
Mappila
Mappila Muslim, often shortened to Mappila, formerly anglicized as Moplah/Mopla and historically known as Jonaka/Chonaka Mappila or Moors Mopulars/Mouros da Terra and Mouros Malabares, in general, is a member of the Muslim community of same n ...
community, its frustrations, struggles, love and affection over the ages. Littérateur
M.T. Vasudevan Nair
Madath Thekkepaattu Vasudevan Nair (born 1933 July 15 ), popularly known as MT, is an Indian author, screenplay writer and film director. He is a prolific and versatile writer in modern Malayalam literature, and is one of the masters of post-I ...
once described Mappila songs as the "cultural fountains of a bygone age". Today, increasing "cacophony" trends in newer Mappila songs and the lack of poets with a sense of imagination have attracted criticism from many corners.
A large number of songs released in the last decade under the label of ''Mappila Songs,'' have been criticized for deviating from the original nature of the folk idiom and tunes (
Ishals), provoking a call for a preservation of the original identity of Mappila songs.
Books and references
* ''Mappilappattu - Padhavum Padhanavum'' ( Mappila songs - Study and Lessons) - Balakrishnan Vallikkunnu and Dr. Umar Tharamel,
D.C. Books, 2006
[Malayala Manorama - 100 Books on Kerala Story Dated: Tuesday, 29 December 2009](_blank)
/ref>
*''Maappilappaattinte Lokam'' - (The world of Mappila Songs) - V.M. Kutty D.C. Books
* ''Muslingalum Kerala Samskaravum'' - (Muslims and Kerala Culture) - P.K. Muhammad Kunhi Thrissur, 1982
* ''Mahathaya Mappila Sahitya Parambaryam'' - (The Great Mappila literary heritage) - C.N. Ahmad Moulavi & K.K. Mohammed Abdul Kareem - 1978
* ''Mappilappattu'' - by Dr. M.N. Karasseri in ''Malabar'' ed. M.G.S. Narayanan
Muttayil Govindamenon Sankara Narayanan, commonly known as M. G. S. Narayanan (born 20 August 1932) is an Indian historian, academic and political commentator. He headed the Department of History at Calicut University (Kerala) from 1976 to 1990 ...
, 1994
* ''Mappilappaattinte Maadhuryam'' - T. K. Hamza - Olive Publications, Kozhikode
* ''Mahakavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Padanangal'' - Mahakavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Smaraka Committee, Kondotty
* Biggest Collection Of Mappila Songs over Web http://mappilapattukal.com/
See also
References
{{Music of Kerala
Islamic music
Mappilas
Arts of Kerala
Arabi Malayalam-language songs