The Significance of practices of 'Arampaduthal': A study based on Arakkavi (Singing for extinction) of the Eastern Province of SriLanka

‘Arampaduthal’ (anathematizing – curse or declare to be evil or anathema or threaten with divine punishment) means anathematizing or singing for extinction. However, within this tradition, the voice against social injustice stands out. The tradition of ‘Arampaduthal’ which has been in the Tamil literary tradition for a long time, has also been studied as a form of literature in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. As a result, social trust is essential to the formation and practice of ‘Arampaduthal’. ‘Arampaduthal’ addition, these people have fearlessly expressed their opposition against the anti-people activities of the powerful people in their area. More than that, these people have also used ‘Arampaduthal’ as their professional ritual activity. They also anathematized animals that were harmful to humans. However, the belief that ‘Arampaduthal’ are destructive/harmful and the hatred of the social authorities towards this singing tradition has led to the decline of the tradition of ‘Arampaduthal’ even though ‘Arampaduthal’ has been an important part of social communication among the people of this region. In that way, the aim of the study is to look at how ‘Arampaduthal’ has been learned among the Tamils in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka and what their social significance is. This research is carried out based on fieldwork.