Kerala: Moozhikkulam rejoices in njattuvela' notes

KOCHI: Moozhikkulam Sala, the organic campus situated at Moozhikkulam village on the banks of Chalakkudy River, is now in a celebratory mood with nature raining its musical notes on earth with the ongoing different njattuvelas in monsoon while cultural programmes of different hues joining them to make a rare symphony.

The different njattuvelas being celebrated are Makayiram Njattuvela, Thiruvathira Njattuvela, Punartham Njattuvela and Ayilyam Njattuvela. Moozhikkulam Sala spread across two acre and forty cents began it with the night rain in Makayiram Njattuvela.

Snigdha and Syama from Mumbai, Mehek Chawla from Delhi and Ambari from Pune started it with a Bharatanatyam recital last month, followed by Devendra Ghatana who staged a Rajasthani drama. Vivek Moozhikkulam rendered ragas, Swathi Kesav danced and Raji Pisharasyar painted and young artistes of Moozhikkulam staged an instrument fusion to accentuate the feeling of the Njattuvelas.

"Njaattuvela is calculated according to the position of sun, with each spanning 14 days. Of the 27 njattuvelas spread across a calendar year, the most important one is Thiruvathira Njattuvela when earth gets rejuvenated in the natural systematic 'treatment'.

It is during this time that earth stores water that could be used during summer. All plants that grow from stems are planted during this season. Ginger, turmeric and cow pea are also planted during this season," says T.R. Premkumar, patron of Moozhikkulam Sala.

"We should learn from the watershed management of ancient farmers who used to till land and create room around trees and plants for water to store and sink during this season. It is during this time that crores of pores get opened on earth's surface. Farmers in their wisdom close the pores after the njattuvela is over by leveling earth in the backyard and in farm land thus preventing over evaporation of water during summer," says Mr Premkumar.

"Though we have 44 rivers, 45,000 small lakes and 60 lakh ponds, and get 3,000 mm rain, we are suffering from drinking water whortage now. Moozhikulam Sala seeks to convey the old wisdom to new generations through the talks and discussions and other activities," says Mr Premkumar.