A ‘place’ under the sun for folk arts

IDAM, an art and cultural space in Kodambakkam.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

When you step inside IDAM, an art and cultural space in the middle of busy Kodambakkam, you will find out it is more than just a place, even though ‘Idam’ literally means place when translated. Inside, rural Tamil Nadu comes alive with folk art forms from Thappattam, Devarattam, Oyilattam, Bomallattam to Tholpavakoothu, apart from general open mics and theatre workshops. But what makes the space stand out is that it does not stop at showcasing these performances but invites Chennaiites to step into the venue as students of the traditional arts.

Founded by actor Vetri MV, IDAM is the result of years of groundwork. Since 2017, Vetri has been conducting acting, theatre and art workshops across colleges. But a couple of years ago, he felt the need for a dedicated space for the urban crowd to get in touch with folk heritage. It is not necessarily folk instrument classes, children who attend events here often leave with folk tales and stories from traditional storytellers. “The main purpose of starting our art and cultural space was simple. It is to connect the folk artists and general public,” says Vetri. “Most people who live in the city are not always aware of the folk art instruments or dances. So, IDAM became a space for education as much as celebration.”

Interestingly, it was not cinema that introduced the actor to folk art, it was theatre. His journey as a theatre artist performing and directing across Tamil Nadu made him give importance to folk forms and their unsung masters, many of whom now take the stage at IDAM.

One such artist is Gramiya Kalaimani Nellai Manikandan, a recipient of the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar. A passionate teacher, he lights up as he talks about training young, urban audiences in forms such as Devarattam.

“When I train people living in the city in folk art forms such as Devarattam, they should first know about the art form, so that is how I start. They are really interested in knowing it, but they do not know where to learn it from,” says Nellai Manikandan, commenting on how a lot of them are glued to screens all day, phones, laptops, TV, you name it! And now, they are hungry for something rooted and old-school. “Every time I teach a class at IDAM, it turns into a new experience for me itself. On one hand, there are students who come with no prior exposure to dance or any art form, just curiosity and eagerness to learn. On the other, in a group of 20, you might find 15 trained classical dancers looking to explore folk dance and music,” says the folk art teacher. Vetri says the undertones of inquisitiveness has been pulling urban crowds towards folk art as there is an increased turnout. He admits it would not have been the same a decade ago. “Initially, creating the space exclusively for artforms was a challenge in the city, but we have been successfully sustaining it,” says the founder. In 2025, engineers, designers, copywriters and other professionals are travelling to cultural centres of this kind located as far away as Coimbatore to attend the three-hour or day-long workshops.

The space is also gearing up for something new. “We are starting a full-time three-month course consisting of Thappattam, Devarattam and Oyilattam taught by three different masters which is starting from July, shares Vetri. Alongside, a theatre and acting course is also in the works, which is open to anyone with curiosity!