National award winner Nanjiyamma fights to reclaim her land, lends voice to her community

Folk artist Nanjiyamma who won the best female singer at the National Film Awards has become a voice for an entire community in the tribal heartland of Kerala’s Attappady.

The 63-year-old neo-literate won accolades for songs for the Malayalam blockbuster Ayyappanum Koshiyum set in the tribal block known for large-scale alienation of lands.

Nanjiyamma herself has been a victim of land grabbing and has been fighting a legal case to reclaim her plot of land. Here is an exclusive report by South First’s KA Shaji.