The parai, an instrument steeped in a history of both celebration and oppression, has found a new lease on life thanks to the Bengaluru-based Adavi Arts Collective. The group has recently celebrated a year of workshops, shows, and jam sessions, culminating in a high-energy performance at the Shoonya Centre for Art and Somatic Practices. This event was part of a fundraiser organized by the Hank Nunn Institute, aimed at blending community engagement with enriching artistic experiences.
Keela Naren, the founder of Adavi and a professional parai artiste, sheds light on the profound cultural impact of the instrument. Traditionally played at funerals to signify the passing of a life, the parai’s beats are so captivating that no living body can resist their rhythm. At the Shoonya event, this magnetic quality was on full display as the audience was irresistibly drawn to their feet, dancing by the event’s end.
The name “Adavi” itself is rooted in deep cultural connotations. When broken down, ‘Adavu’ translates to rhythm in Tamil, and ‘Adavi’ to forest. However, the collective gives these words a more intricate interpretation. ‘Aattam’ means dance, extending to movement, while ‘avi’ means beings. Combining these, ‘Adavi’ signifies dancing beings, portraying a harmonious existence where all living entities—trees, animals, and humans—dance together in nature’s rhythm.
Adavi Arts Collective aims to bridge the gap between traditional folk and contemporary art forms, making them accessible to younger generations. This goal is accomplished through a mix of community learning and political discourse. Their recent performance not only showcased their musical prowess but also served as a historical lesson. Keela delved deep into the origins and evolution of the parai, highlighting its role as a vehicle for social protest among the marginalized communities that historically played it. These players often faced demeaning treatment and scant earnings, sometimes being paid in alcohol rather than money.
Fully aware of this complex legacy, Adavi strives for inclusivity and equality. They advocate for anyone to play the parai, distancing the instrument from its stigmatized association with funerals. In their hands, the parai becomes a symbol of communal love and artistic expression.
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This spirit of inclusivity extends to gender as well. Traditionally, the parai has been the domain of men. Adavi is pushing to shatter this patriarchal boundary by encouraging women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community to take up the instrument. Meghana Natraj, one of the first women to join the collective, expressed her joy over the increasing participation of women. “I was glad to see a number of women dancing in saris. Usually, a lot of women attend our workshops, but they hardly hold performances. Today was one of the best turnouts we’ve had,” she shared.
The strength of Adavi Arts Collective lies in its diverse membership, which includes students, theatre practitioners, dancers, teachers, a data analyst, and even a cable contractor. Advik, a life skills educator and a regular attendee, remarked, “So many different people attend sessions regularly, by the end of the day, you’re always learning something new. It has given me a lot of friends, happiness, and fulfillment.”
Their recent performance at Shoonya was more than just a musical gathering; it was a loud statement of social resistance and harmony. As the collective drummed their parais, the room resonated not just with their beats but with their message of inclusiveness, historical awareness, and cultural celebration. Each performance serves as a powerful reminder that music is not just an art form but a call for unity and equality.
The role of the parai in Adavi’s mission cannot be understated. It stands as a testament to their commitment to reclaiming and redefining cultural artifacts, making them accessible to all while honoring their complex histories. By transforming a historically marginalized instrument into a symbol of resistance and joy, Adavi Arts Collective offers a new narrative of hope and unity.
As they look forward to another year of activities, the collective continues to break barriers and foster a sense of community through art. Through their passionate endeavors, Adavi Arts Collective is set to inspire and resonate with even more people, dancing to the universal rhythm that binds us all.
