Street theatre campaign promotes green farming

Kochi: Kadampan Moothan is neither a superhero nor a divine being but rather a figure who appears when farmers are in despair, providing crucial support and blending traditional wisdom with modern scientific practices.
Moothan is the central character in a play created by Wide Inspirations and Wide Aspirations (WIWA), an organization committed to empowering marginalized communities through the fusion of agriculture and art.
SN Sudheer, the creator of Moothan, and his team of artists are conducting a street theatre campaign in Ernakulam to educate the public on sustainable agriculture in light of environmental catastrophes like the recent disaster in Wayanad.
WIWA employs ‘Organic Theatre', a unique blend of agriculture and performance art. "Typically, these plays last for over two months, during which the public engages with us from sowing seeds to celebrating the harvest," explains Sudheer, who often plays Moothan's role.
Each performance is adapted to address local issues, using traditional folk songs and tribal instruments to draw in the audience. The themes touch on critical issues such as the struggles of farmers, food adulteration, global warming, and natural disasters. After several rounds of improvisation, the final play is performed on harvest day.
The character of Kadampan Moothan is inspired by the Kaani tribe, originally from Vellarada in Thiruvananthapuram, near the Tamil Nadu border. Many Kaani people later settled in Amboori, another village in Thiruvananthapuram. "The Kaani people traditionally use a lot of pine leaves, so Moothan's attire is crafted from these leaves, and his crown is made from indigenous grass from the region. The design intricately reflects the cultural elements of the Kaani tribe," explains Sudheer.
Enhancing the performances is the character of Kaakkan, portrayed by Rajesh Bharathannoor, who adds both humor and depth to the play. Kaakkan's role is inspired by Kakkareshi Nadakam, a traditional art form historically performed by field laborers to entertain landlords.
"Kakkareshi is a comedic performance that laborers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu once used to amuse landlords," explains Bharathannoor. He is among the few remaining artists in Kerala who continue to practise this traditional art form.
Sudheer, a former television producer and state award-winning documentary filmmaker, has now turned his focus to reviving agricultural traditions through street theatre. His ambitious vision is to stage performances along the banks of all 44 rivers in Kerala, using these plays to raise awareness about the importance of farming and encourage a return to traditional agricultural practices.