LoreKeepers by ARPO

LoreKeepers by ARPO Lorekeepers by ARPO and Faizal & Shabana Foundation is crowdsourcing vanishing folk songs and tales.

31/07/2026

Yes we all love a ripe jackfruit and this traditional lore talks about the story of a man who receives a ripe jackfruit free of cost, carries it home, and shares it with his family, who happily enjoy the fruit.

This traditional Chakka Pattu is a humorous song performed during Kolkali as participants playfully tease one another.

27/07/2026

Every celebration has a song.

For the Paniya tribe of Wayanad, this festival song is sung during Shivarathri, Vana Kali Puja, weddings, ear-piercing ceremonies, and many other community gatherings.

The song is about things close to everyday life; fields, fish, crabs, the local market, and sharing food. Accompanied by the thudi, the song is a reminder that for the Paniya community, music is part of every milestone, from birth to death.

23/07/2026

Onam is around the corner so here’s a lore related to the harvest festival!

Onam Kali Paatu narrates the mythological origin of Rahu and Ketu, drawing from the story of the Samudra Manthan. The song recounts how Svarbhanu, having discovered Mohini’s deception, disguised himself as an elderly Brahmin to secretly partake of the Amrita among the gods. When the Sun and Moon revealed his identity, Lord Vishnu severed his head with the Sudarshana Chakra. Having already consumed the nectar of immortality, Svarbhanu’s head became Rahu and his torso became Ketu, who continue to pursue the Sun and Moon, giving rise to eclipses.

Preserved in Kerala’s Onam folk tradition, the song weaves mythology, cosmology, and ritual performance into a compelling narrative.

21/07/2026

Most lullabies have two elements:

A soothing rhythm and a story.
This traditional lullaby is from Attappadi, Palakkad and is sung in the Irula language. The verses have symbolic references to colours and ornamentation, while the repeated sounds such as “Rareeraari” and “Duri Duri” create rhythm rather than a continuous narrative.

17/07/2026

Pappankavil from Kozhikode sings a rhythmic lullaby with beginning with “Nammam Nammam Naaraachi,”. The song weaves together simple, imaginative elements such as food prepared for Kunjan, a bird’s beak, a bridge, and a banana tree.

15/07/2026

This Kanyaru Kali Pattu is a ritual song performed during the Kanyaru Kali tradition. The song invokes Chemminiyamma and includes references to ritual offerings such as ginger, turmeric, diamond garlands, and milk presented to the deity. Through its repetitive refrain and rhythmic chanting, the song accompanies the ceremonial performance, creating a devotional atmosphere and reflecting the ritual practices associated with the festival.

13/07/2026

Bhargavi Amma from Kumbidi, Palakkad shared this interesting folk song with us by the name Nunapattu!

The LoreKeepers archive is growing and many folk songs and stories find us throughout this journey. If you have any lores to share, DM us!

09/07/2026

This traditional song is performed during marriage ceremonies in the Jamma Mapplai community of the Coorg region. Sung in Malayalam, the native language of the community, it reflects the rich cultural heritage and unique customs of this group. This is also perhaps the first documentation of the cultural traditions of the community.

02/07/2026

Across our fieldwork at .in , we’ve learned that every song carries the memory of a community.

This Malamakkali song is sung across different communities in Kerala, including the Nair, Mannadiyar, and Ezhava communities as part of rituals seeking the blessings of Thattakkath Amma. A version of the same song is also performed by the Pulaya community during the Desha Vela ceremony, accompanied by distinctive costumes and performance traditions.

Its lyrics speak of harvested fruits being presented before the landlord, while the dancers whirl “like a madhalam” echoing a time when Kerala’s feudal social structure shaped everyday life, labour, and ritual. Today, the song lives as a record of history embedded in oral tradition.

Through LoreKeepers, we continue documenting these songs for the stories, memories, and histories they carry across generations.

30/06/2026

Lorekeepers of the week!

This is a playful folk song traditionally sung by members of the Pulaya community for entertainment and recreation. Characterized by its lively rhythm, simple lyrics, and humorous tone, the song is performed during informal gatherings to encourage participation and create a joyful atmosphere.

Address

Kochi

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when LoreKeepers by ARPO posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to LoreKeepers by ARPO:

Shortcuts

Share

Category