Malayalam Mala Project

The Malayalam Mala Project is a Wikimedia initiative to collect and preserve the lyrics of Malayalam malas, which are traditional songs of praise sung by Muslims in Kerala. Malas are a rich part of Kerala's cultural heritage, and they provide a unique way to learn about the history and traditions of the region. The Malayalam Mala Project is part of the GLAM project in Kerala, which is a larger initiative to digitize and preserve Kerala's cultural heritage. The Malayalam Mala Project will collect lyrics from a variety of sources, including manuscripts, published works, and oral tradition. The lyrics will be transcribed into Unicode and uploaded to Wikisource, where they will be freely available to anyone who wants to read, listen to, or learn more about them.

The Malayalam Mala Project is open to anyone who is interested in preserving Kerala's cultural heritage. If you have any Malayalam mala lyrics that you would like to contribute, please contact the project team.

The project serves multiple purposes, including catering to the interests of the people, promoting traditions among new generations, and providing engaging material for those who may be illiterate or elderly. By converting written works into audiofiles, the project makes literature accessible to a wider audience, particularly individuals who face reading challenges. Additionally, it strives to foster a love for Malayalam language and culture among youth, while also offering productive and enriching content for individuals seeking meaningful leisure activities. By leveraging the collaborative nature of the Wikimedia movement, the project contributes to the preservation and promotion of Malayalam literature, expanding its reach and availability.

Goals

Collection and Documentation: The primary objective of this project is to gather the lyrics of various malas and compile them in the Wikisource platform. Through extensive research and collaboration with knowledgeable individuals, we will strive to curate an accurate and comprehensive collection of mala verses.

Audio Recordings and Renditions: To bring these malas to life, the project will encourage singers from the local community to record and share their renditions of these odes. These audio recordings will be made available in Wikimedia Commons, ensuring wider accessibility and preserving these traditional melodies for future generations.

Collaboration and Community Engagement: The project aims to foster collaboration among researchers, scholars, musicians, and community members. We will actively involve individuals who possess knowledge of malas, their historical background, and cultural context. Engaging with local Muslim communities and institutions will be instrumental in preserving the authenticity of these malas.

Translation and Interpretation: Recognizing the diverse linguistic landscape of Kerala, the project will emphasize translating mala lyrics into malayalam languages thar are currently in Arabic-Malayalam language. This will facilitate a broader audience's understanding and appreciation of the rich heritage encapsulated within these odes. Additionally, providing interpretations and explanations of the metaphors and symbolism found in the malas will enhance their cultural significance.

Promoting Open Access: The "Malas of Kerala" project aligns with Wikimedia's commitment to open access knowledge. All collected mala lyrics, audio recordings, translations, and interpretations will be shared under free licenses, allowing users worldwide to access, reuse, and contribute to this cultural heritage.

Activities

Content Selection: Identify a diverse range of Mala literary worksand obtain necessary permissions from copyright holders.
Content Digitalisation: Need to scan and upload them into wikisource. Then it has to typed into malayalam language.
Recording Sessions: Organize recording sessions with volunteers who have access to appropriate recording equipment and a quiet environment. Volunteers will be provided with guidelines and resources for recording high-quality audio.
Editing and Quality Control: Perform necessary editing and quality control checks on recorded audio to ensure clarity, consistency, and adherence to project guidelines.
Uploading and Cataloging: Upload the finalized audios to Wikimedia Commons, following established categorization and tagging conventions.