An anthem for a vanishing craft: Thazhappattu makes it to school curriculum

Relying entirely on traditional wisdom and natural resources, screwpine artisans possess a level of skill that modern machinery simply cannot replicate. They transform simple leaves into green, sustainable thazhappas (mats) — a craft that was once a thriving cottage industry in Thazhava but has slowly declined due to modern challenges. Now, this vanishing rural art has received a significant tribute. Thazhappattu, a song written by Ani Mank, who comes from a family of traditional artisans and had failed his tenth-grade exams, has been officially included in the Plus One Malayalam textbook in Kerala. The work features in the third chapter of the textbook under the section ‘Samskaravinimayam’ (Cultural Exchange), celebrating a rich heritage that refuses to be forgotten.

Ani notes that the language, unique style, and regional vocabulary of Onattukara region once thrived alongside this ancestral profession. “The preservation of these specific words within Thazhappattu was the primary reason the song was selected for the curriculum. The inclusion of the song honours both the craft and the distinct linguistic heritage of the region. Seeing my humble folk song positioned alongside the works of literary titans like Kumaran Asan, Vyloppilli, and Vayalar in the textbook was a surreal experience,” he says.

Filling the void

Ani had previously directed a documentary titled Neythedutha Jeevithangal, which captures the fading art of screwpine mat weaving alongside the daily lives and struggles of the underprivileged women who rely on it for their livelihood. He penned Thazhappattu specifically as an introductory song for this documentary, and it was brought to life through the voice of 82-year-old Savithriamma. Growing up, he had witnessed the physical toll and dedication required by the craft, watching his grandmother weave mats with unmatchable finesse. He recalls how women would weave late into the night by the dim light of oil lamps, a demanding posture that often permanently altered their physique, leaving older artisans with a distinct curvature in their spine. “While traditional occupations like rowing and reaping paddy fields had their own musical heritage in vallapattu and koythu pattu, screwpine mat making lacked its own anthem and I decided to fill the void,” he explains.

The unique cultural identity Onattukara region continues to inspire his creative journey. The idiosyncrasies, specific language variations, and regional quirks of the area remain a constant source of fascination for him. Currently, Ani is channelling this passion into a new novel and a screenplay, both of which are firmly set against the distinctive backdrop of Onattukara to showcase everything that sets the region apart from the rest of the world.