Arakol Atta, November 2005 Keystone was celebrating its 10th year and we had a discussion with community members about work and what aspects we could take up. One of the emerging themes was `cultural revival' as the people talked about lack of traditional leadership and social cohesion. Some people talked about lack of identity and the ability to follow rituals, customs and traditions. There were more mixed marriages, language was disappearing, songs and riddles of the past were unknown to the younger generation.
This started the `Culture and People' program at Keystone which took up aspects for discussion and revival through festivals. One such festival was Arakol Atta for revival the skill of making drums and playing music. Bands came from all areas and everybody talked about the difference in Pillur music. Aracode, Banagudi, Baviyur, Sigur were represented. people exchanged issues related to continuing playing Arakol and displayed their talents.
5 new sets were distributed to the community groups after getting them made in Karamadai and with village artisans.
