Rayson K. Alex: Oral Literature of Mudugar

The World Oral Literature Project is pleased to host the collection of Rayson K. Alex. Details of the full collection can be browsed on DSpace@Cambridge by clicking here.

The collection is a result of the WOLP funding that Dr Rayson K Alex received in 2011. The project was to collect the oral literature of an indigenous community called Mudugar. Mudugar live in the mountainous land of Attapady, Palakkad District, Kerala State, South India. The photographs, video-documentaries, audio files and translated interviews are materials collected over a period of two years. Mudugar people and non-indigenous people were involved in the collection of these documents. The documents in different formats contain aspects of the natural, cultural and supernatural aspects of Mudugar. The daily routine of children, women, men, children's games, occupation of Mudugar, songs and music traditions of Mudugar, stories and myths, rituals and festivals are all contained in the files. Please note that items 46-69 are not open for public access.

Collection Details:

Collection: Oral Literature of Mudugar
Collector: Rayson K. Alex
Date(s): 2010-2012
Language(s): Mudugar, Malayalam, English


1. Interview with Raghu
Raghu talks about his experience in the forest.
[Archive] [Watch video]


2. Interview with Thangaraj
A Mudugar son interacting with his father and sisters.
[Archive] [Watch video]


3. Interview with Chella
Chella, a Mudugan, talks about their cultural traditions.
[Archive] [Watch video]


4. Interview with Velli
An interview with Velli of Mudugar Pottikkallu hamlet.
[Archive] [Watch video]


5. Interview with Raghu
An interview with Mr Raghu. Attappady, a Mudugan.
[Archive] [Watch video]


6. Interview with Chandran of Abhannur
An interview with a Mudugan called Chandran of Abhannur hamlet.
[Archive] [Watch video]


7. Interview with Mathew 1
This is an interview with the teacher of Alternative Innovative School for tribal school.
[Archive] [Watch video]


8. Interview with Mathew 2
This is part of an interview with the teacher of Alternative Innovative School, Mr Mathew K. U.
[Archive] [Watch video]


9. Interview with Mathew 3
This is part of an interview with the teacher of Alternative Innovative School, Mr Mathew K. U.
[Archive] [Watch video]


10. Interview with teachers in schools
Interview on Mudugar children with teachers in school.
[Archive] [Watch video]


11. Interview with Vijay Thangaraj
An interview on traditional knowledge with a 21 year old man named Vijay Thangraj, a Mudugan.
[Archive] [Watch video]


12. Interview with Thangaraj Maash
Thangaraj Maash, a Mudugar teacher, explains how honey is collected.
[Archive] [Watch video]


13. Interview with Raghu
Raghu, a Mudugan, talks about traditional religious practices of Mudugar.
[Archive] [Watch video]


14. Interview with Ramu
This is an interview with a tribal person (Mudugar) named Ramu.
[Archive] [Watch video]


15. Interview with Ayyappan
Ayyappan, a senior Mudugan, talks about agricultural experiences.
[Archive] [Watch video]


16. Mudugar songs, Kuyal playing 1
This audio file displays the music created by the wind instrument named "Kuyal" used by Mudugar.
[Archive] [Watch video]


17. Mudugar songs, Tuning of Kuyal
"Tuning of Kuyal" is an audio file in which the artist tunes his musical instrument.
[Archive] [Watch video]


18. Mudugar songs, Paambu Theendiidumo
"Paambu Theendiidumo" is a Mudugar song listing the names of different varieties of snakes.
[Archive] [Watch video]


19. Mudugar songs, Peechikkaypole
A rhyme titled 'Peechikkaypole', sung bu Kavya who is 9 years old.
[Archive] [Watch video]


20. Mudugar songs, Inchimele poomele
The song, inchimele poomele, popular among Mudugar children, describes the beautiful hills.
[Archive] [Watch video]


21. Mudugar songs, Panthuvilayadutho
"Panthuvilayadutho" is a Mudugar play-song.
[Archive] [Watch video]


22. Mudugar songs, Kale Kale Kumba
'Kale Kale Kumba' is a Mudugar song connoting the sexual moves of a partner.
[Archive] [Watch video]


23. Mudugar songs, Orele Bidithi
'Orele Bidithi' is a Mudugar song sung by a group of middle-aged women led by Sandya.
[Archive] [Watch video]


24. Mudugar songs, Kulikkanukku Kulamundo
'Kulkkanukku Kulamundo' is a paarnar song sung by a member of Mudugar community.
[Archive] [Watch video]


25. Mudugar songs, Emettemaattu vanthattu
A melancholic song of the sacrifice of a son sung by Vasanthu of Thudoor Hamlet.
[Archive] [Watch video]


26. Mudugar songs, Lelo le Karadi
"Oh! Bear!" is a song of Mudugar inviting bears in the forest to dance with the people.
[Archive] [Watch video]


27. Mudugar songs, Thiruvilakki Riyo Riyo
'Thiruvilakki RiyoRiyo' is a Mudugar religious song which refers to the deity, Malleswaram.
[Archive] [Watch video]


28. Mudugar songs, Sugumayile
'Sugumayile' is a Mudugar song.
[Archive] [Watch video]


29. Mudugar songs, Panimale Andavanukku
'Panimale Andavanukku' is a Mudugar religious song.
[Archive] [Watch video]


30. Mudugar songs, Orani Orani
'Orani Orani' is a Mudugar song which talks about a foreign husband.
[Archive] [Watch video]


31. Mudugar songs, Manneduthu ailesa
'Manuduthu ailesa' is an agricultural song.
[Archive] [Watch video]


32. Mudugar songs, Keeri Keeri Vellarikayi
'Keeri Keeri Vellarikari' is a Mudugar song listing the vegetables in the place.
[Archive] [Watch video]


33. Mudugar songs, Karambe Karambe
'Karambe Karambe' is a song describing knowledge of a ship.
[Archive] [Watch video]


34. Mudugar songs, Kadile Kottale
'Kadile Kottale' is a Mudugar song which depicts a woman chasing a 'double-headed sparrow' in the forest.
[Archive] [Watch video]


35. Mudugar songs, Ethukkethukku Vanthaathu
Song sung by Rangi and others in Kunjiyoor, a Mudugar hamlet.
[Archive] [Watch video]


36. Mudugar songs, Elo Thangame Elelo
Song sung by elderly women of Mudugar at Attapady, led by Rangi.
[Archive] [Watch video]


37. Mudugar songs, Chinnapoomakale
Chinnapoomakale is a song praising the beauty of a mother's daughter.
[Archive] [Watch video]


38. Mudugar songs, Chingirikkara Kaattukkulle
This song reveals the peculiar types of hinting in the forest.
[Archive] [Watch video]


39. Mudugar songs, Mannenambi lelelo
'Mannenambi lelelo' is a Mudugar song which states the philosophy of their life.
[Archive] [Watch video]


40. Mudugar songs, Elakkam Kayirikkum
'Elakkam Kayirikkum' is a Mudugar song which describes the interdependence of Mudugar and the forest.
[Archive] [Watch video]


41. Mudugar songs, Niiye Maharani
'Niiye Maharani' is a Mudugar song praising the beauty of a girl-child.
[Archive] [Watch video]


42. Mudugar songs, Sinna Sinna poovaavaa
'Sinna Sinna poovaavaa' is a Mudugar song comparing a flower to a little girl.
[Archive] [Watch video]


43. Mudugar songs, Vellimalayo Kalluruttinaa
A song titled 'Vellimalayo' sung by a Mudugan named Vaali.
[Archive] [Watch video]


44. Mudugar songs, Women singing 1
The song title 'Suthu suthu' is sung by two women in Thundoor hamlet of Mudugar.
[Archive] [Watch video]


45. Mudugar songs, Siyu playing Kuyal
A 16-year old man named Siju (a Mudugan) playing Kuyal.
[Archive] [Watch video]


70. Folk literature of Kerala
Powerpoint presentation about the folk literature of Kerala.
[Archive]


71. Occupation of Mudugar
Powerpoint presentation about the occupation of Mudugar.
[Archive]


72. On M.K.R. Centre, Attappady
Powerpoint presentation about the M.K.R. Centre, Attappady.
[Archive]


73. Photos taken by Nisha
Powerpoint presentation showing photos taken by Nisha.
[Archive]


74. Mudugar video documentaries, The Story of Mudugar, Parts 1 and 2
'The Story of Mudugar' is a video documentary featuring the cultural aspects of Mudugar tribal community at Attapaddy, India.
[Part 1 Archive] [Part 2 Archive] [Part 1 Watch video] [Part 2 Watch video]


75. Mudugar video documentaries, Mudugar children at Anganvadi and home
'Mudugar children at Anganvadi and home' is a videodocumentary on the life and attitude of children at Anganvadi and home.
[Archive] [Watch video]


76. Mudugar video documentaries, Thenevara
'Thenevara' features the dress and ornamental patterns practiced by Mudugar (women).
[Archive] [Watch video]


77. Mudugar video documentaries, In their eyes...
A videodocumentary titled 'In their eyes...' speaks on the research methodology, aims and objectives of M. K. R. Centre.
[Archive] [Watch video]


78. Mudugar video documentaries, Creative Expressions of Nisha
'Creative Expressions of Nisha' is a short documentary on the visual art skills of Nisha, a 6-year-old Mudugar girl.
[Archive] [Watch video]


79. Mudugar video documentaries, Bele: Tilling, Trapping and Gathering
Video documentary title 'Bele' describes the work culture of Mudugar.
[Archive] [Watch video]


80. Mudugar video documentaries, Searching the Ethics of Documentation
'Searching the Ethics of Documentation', a videodocumentary made by the fieldworkers in Mudugar Kurumbar Research Centre.
[Archive] [Watch video]


81. Mudugar video documentaries, Baaphe Bilayaada
'Baaphe Bilayaada' is a videodocumentary on Mudugar children's games.
[Archive] [Watch video]


82. Mudugar video documentaries, Sivrathi Festival of Mudugar
Sivrathi festival of Mudugar.
[Archive] [Watch video]


83. Mudugar video documentaries, Sapparam: Death Ritual of Mudugar
Death ritual of Mudugar.
[Archive] [Watch video]