KOCHI: To assuage fear about vaccination among tribal people and encourage them to come forward to get vaccinated against Covid, a group of tribal youth is presenting a play in ‘Irula’ language in Attapadi.
The drama, ‘Gavaname Vedivukala’ (remaining vigilant is survival), is played at hamlets, educational institutions and hostels with tribespeople in Attapadi. The play has been presented at 147 hamlets so far and is currently played at institutions. Health officials also accompany the drama team and provide vaccine shots to the tribals. There are 192 hamlets in Attapadi taluk with a tribal population of 42,000.
It is also performed in other tribal languages such as
Muthuvan
and
Kurumba
. When it is performed at junctions, it will be in Malayalam. The play revolves around the belief of tribespeople when they were protected by Mariyatha, their god from small pox decades ago. The play shows Mariyatha coming again with weapons in her thousand hands.
Sanitizer, mask and social distancing norms become the weapons of Mariayatha to kill Coronavirus. After killing Corona, they celebrate it with songs and dance.
“The play is presented in Kummiyattam and Koothu tribal art forms and is mixed with current theatre format. Otherwise, the tribal population will not be interested to watch the play if it does not have any element of their culture or tradition. Around 95% of the targeted population received the first dose of the vaccine so far,” said
Rajendraprasad
of Thampu.
The drama was started to present when it was found that there is an inhibition on the part of tribespeople to get vaccinated. The script, songs and actors of the play are tribal youths themselves. Ratheesh OLH is the scriptwriter and songs are by
Vinod Oothukuzhi
. The play is directed by
Jayan Thakazhikaran
.
A 15-member team, including six girls are part of the play, which is held with the financial aid of UNICEF. It will be completed by December 5.
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