Beats of an old custom fade away from Keralam’s courts
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The Kerala High Court has officially discontinued the archaic practice of using 'tom-tom' drums and 'kinnam mutti vilambaram' to announce property attachments. This decision follows a campaign by activist Boban Mattumanta, who argued that modern digital communication renders such colonial-era public announcements obsolete.
The End of an Era: Modernizing Kerala's Judicial Procedures
In a significant move to modernize judicial administration, the Kerala High Court’s Rules Committee has decided to strike down the long-standing provision for the 'tom-tom' and 'kinnam mutti vilambaram' in property attachment proceedings. For generations, these auditory signals served as the primary method for public notification, rooted in a time when the state needed a physical, localized way to disseminate legal orders to the populace.
Historical Context and the Persistence of Tradition
The tradition of 'tom-tom' (drum beating) and 'kinnam mutti vilambaram' (the beating of a brass plate) dates back to the era of princely rule in Kerala. Historically, when a ruler needed to communicate an official decree, town criers would travel to marketplaces and village centers to ensure the message reached the ears of the subjects. Remarkably, this practice survived the transition through the colonial period and persisted into the modern democratic era, remaining a vestige of administrative history within the state's judicial system.
The Activist Catalyst for Reform
The shift away from this practice was not spontaneous but rather the result of a targeted campaign by rights activist Boban Mattumanta. Mattumanta challenged the continued relevance of these auditory announcements, arguing that they were not only archaic but also increasingly ineffective in a contemporary society. By questioning the necessity of maintaining such rituals, the campaign highlighted the friction between historical legacy and the practical requirements of a modern legal framework.
Embracing Digital Transformation
The core of the argument for reform lies in the evolution of communication technology. In an age where information is disseminated instantly via newspapers, television, social media, and digital legal portals, the reliance on manual, local drum-beating has become redundant. The High Court’s decision acknowledges that these digital channels are far more efficient, transparent, and capable of reaching a wider audience than the traditional methods of the past.
Broader Implications for Judicial Efficiency
This decision signals a broader trend in Indian judicial reform, where institutions are actively auditing their procedural rulebooks to purge unnecessary colonial or pre-colonial relics. By streamlining the notification process, the court is not only preserving its dignity but also ensuring that legal procedures are aligned with the realities of 21st-century life. This transition reduces the administrative burden on court officials and ensures that property attachment proceedings are conducted with the speed and privacy required by modern standards.
Conclusion: Moving Toward a Future-Proof System
The fading of the drumbeat from Kerala’s courts represents more than just a procedural change; it is a symbolic closure to a chapter of administrative history. As the state moves forward, the reliance on digital notice systems will likely become the standard, ensuring that justice is both transparent and accessible. While the 'tom-tom' served its purpose for centuries, its retirement marks a necessary step in the ongoing evolution of a robust, technologically-integrated legal system in India.
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