Cultural Archive

The Kuyalu (also known in some regions as Cheenam or Cheeni) is an essential traditional wind instrument of the Paniya community. In Paniya culture, whenever Thudi is played, the Kuyalu must accompany it. Playing the Thudi without the sound of the Kuyalu feels incomplete. It is played across all major life events and rituals, including weddings, puberty rites (Thirandu kalyana/Nirenja Kallyana), deity rituals, and funeral rites. WATCH NOW: Kuyalu: A Traditional Wind Instrumen

In the cultural heritage of Kerala’s Paniya tribe, Thudi is far more than a simple percussion instrument. It is considered the rhythmic heartbeat of the community. From births and weddings to harvest rituals (Kambala) and funeral rites, no ceremony is complete without its resonance.thudi's beats and rhythm. While the sound of the Thudi is widely celebrated, the traditional art of making a Thudi requires precision, knowledge about the forest, and sacred craftsmanship passed do

VV Suresh Kumar, a skilled artisan from Kerala, is a master craftsman renowned for his expertise in creating traditional craft boxes like...

Renowned archaeologist Dr. KK Muhammed sheds light on the recent issue of Antique Fraud and the lack of public understanding in analysing...