Nam Marabu Series 2
Introduction to Karagaattam and Thavil

The Nam Marabu Series 2, held from May 8th to 11th 2024, aimed to foster appreciation of Indian traditional folk arts in Singapore. The series featured renowned Karagaattam master Kalaimamani Thenmozhi and Thavil master Rajendran. The event structure included an in-house dialogue session on May 8th at the Indian Heritage Centre, followed by outreach workshops from May 9th to 11th at various locations including Omkar’s Epitome Dance Studio, Damaru’s Studio, Andersen Serangoon JC, Bowen Secondary, and Raffles Girls School. The workshops provided hands-on experiences and insights into Karagaattam and Thavil.

The series attracted over 180 participants, including dance enthusiasts and students from several schools and organizations. The in-house dialogue session introduced participants to Karagam sets and balancing techniques, while the outreach workshops offered in-depth engagement with Karagaattam and Thavil. Participants expressed keen interest in learning and preserving these traditional art forms, with many hoping for advanced level workshops and more frequent cultural events.

Feedback from the workshops was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees praising the expertise and teaching methods of the masters. The events fostered a sense of community and collaboration among participants, igniting a renewed interest in Indian traditional folk arts. The series successfully raised awareness and contributed to protecting, preserving and promoting our traditional folk arts in Singapore.