Mediating the Tribal Voice : An analysis of Nanjiyamma's Kalakkatha

The tribal oral song Kalakkatha, which Nanjiyamma, an Irula tribal lady sings in the Malayalam film Ayyappanum Koshiyum, is mobilized through the film to reach a broader audience and acquire cultural visibility beyond its indigenous roots. This study explores this process. In addition to serving as a plot device, the tribal song serves as a symbolic link between mainstream culture and tribal heritage in the movie. Kalakkatha went beyond the screen and became a viral sensation, performed extensively in social media, festivals, and cultural events like Onam. This analysis looks at how the song's earthy beat,playfulness and lyrical praise of nature helped it connect with a wide range of listeners. Along with examining how film may both maintain and commercialize tribal expression, it also raises issues related to appropriation, authenticity, and the politics of cultural representation in the media.