Mariamma Chedathy
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Mariamma Chedathy also known as Mariamma John is a Dalit Grandmother who is a well known folklorist from state of Kerala in India
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[edit] Folklorist
She is popularly known as Mariamma Chedathy (Chedathy being a respectful way an elderly woman is addressed in the Malayalam language). She is now believed to be more than 90, though her date of birth is not known. She is an illiterate member of the marginalized Paraya community in Kerala.
[edit] Discovery
Mariamma had been an unknown sweeper in St. Berchmans College at Chenganacherry near Kottayam, Kerala. After she was discovered by Prof. Sebastian Vattamattam in course of a literacy campaign, within a period of four years a large number of short and very long folksongs from her were published as a book, Manikkam Pennu. She is one of the few living exponents of the traditional art forms, Mudi-āttam and Kolam-thullal (Mask Dance) of the Paraya people.
[edit] Teaching career
Meanwhile she started teaching classes in folklore to the Post Graduate students of St. Berchmans College. Subsequently she was relieved of her job of a sweeper and appointed as the Folklore Consultant in the Malayalam Department of the same College.
[edit] Retirement
Currently she is retired but still participates in folklore performances in television and other programs. She was converted to Christianity at the age of 15. It was before that, that she learned all the folksongs she knows. Even after her marriage to another Christian Convert John, she maintained her interest in traditional folklore associated with the animist beliefs of her Paraya people. Her new faith limited her chances of public performances. Today, Mariamma is considered to be the sole authority on Paraya folklore.
[edit] Film credits
Mariamma Chedathy sang songs for 'Karunam', a Malayalam movie. Kerala Folklore Academy has honoured her with an award and fellowship.
[edit] References
- B. C. Folklore, Bulletin of the British Columbia Folklore Society, has published three articles based on the book Manikkam Pennu.
- The Death and Resurrection of Kamachavelan, B. C. Folklore, No. 11 Manikkam Pennu: A Paraya Folktale, No. 12 Humans, Gods, and Nature in Paraya Folklore, No. 14
