LURE AND LORE
Tamilnadu has rich tradition of folk arts and crafts displaying traditions skill
and dexterity handed down from generations. The folk Music and Dances represent
the fustic ethos, aesthetic values and melody. The conduct of folk dances and
music on occasions of temple festivals and community functions gives entertainment,
myrth and merry to the villagers. The Therukoothu (Street Play), Thappattai
Attam, Karagam and Kavadi, Dummy Horse dance and Peacock Dance, Oyilattam and
Silambam are all rural programmes of art forms, very old but not archai-still
conducted and enjoyed by people with abiding interest and enhusiasm.
The more celebrated forms of village folk dances are: Oyilaatam, Oyil Kummi,
Devaraattam, Karagaattam, Kaavadi Aattam, Kali Aattam, Kolaattam, Theru Koothu,
Kazhai Koothu, Villu Paattu, Chakkai Aattam, Kai Silambu Aattam, Kummi, Bagavatha
nadanam, PuliAattam and other fancy dress dances, Kuravan- kurathi Aattam, Poikkal
Kudirai Aattam, Thappattaiattam, Silambaattam, Sevai Aattam, Ottan Koothu, Urumi
Aattam and Snake dance.
KARAGAATTAM
Karagam
is a folk dance with musical accompaniment performed balancing a pot on the
head. Traditionally, this dance was performed by the villagers in praise of
the rain goddess Mari Amman and river goddess, Gangai Amman. In Sangam literature,
It is mentioned as 'Kudakoothu'. This dance has two divisions- one, Aatta Karagam
and the other Sakthi Karagam performed with a fire pot on the head. In Mariamman
or Durga temple as ritual dance, It is called 'Sakthi Karagam'. More often it
is danced with decorated pot on the head and is known as 'Aatta Karagam' and
symbolises joy and merriment.
The dance is performed in temples and on festival occasions as entertainment.
This is one of the more popular rural dances today. Earlier it was performed
only to the accompaniment of Naiyandi Melam but now it includes songs also.
Today, the pots have transformed from mud pots to bronzeware and even stainless
steel in modern times. The pots are decorated with a cone of flower arrangements,
topped by a paper parrot. The parrot rotates as the dancer swings along. This
dance is very popular all over Tamilnadu, though its birth place is said to
be Thanjavur. Both male and female performers participate in this. Acrobatics
similar to circus are included such as, dancing on a rolling block of wood,
up and down a ladder, threading a needle while bending backwards and so on.
KAAVADI AATAM
The ancient Tamils when they went on pilgrimage, carried the offerings to the
gods tied on either end of a long stick, which was balanced on the shoulders.
In order to lessen the boredom of the long travel they used to sing and dance
about the gods. Kavadi Aattam has its origins in this practice. Special songs
were composed to be sung while carrying the Kavadi, which were known as Kavadi
Sindhu. The Kavadi is a semi-canopy made of bambo strips and a light pole. The
cover of Kavadi in saffron cloth decoated with Peacock feathers and balancing
pots on both ends embellish the tiny Kavadi. This is mainly a religious dance,
performed in worship of Lord Muruga. The dance is accompanied by Pambai and
Naiyandi Melam.
POIKKAL KUDIRAI AATTAM (DUMMY HORSE DANCE)
The
Dummy Horse dance where the dancer bears the dummy figure of a horse's body
on his/her hips. This is made of light-weight materials and the cloth at the
sides swings to and fro covering the legs of the dancer. The dancer dons wooden
legs which sound like the hooves of the horse. The dancer brandishes either
a sword or a whip. This folk dance needs much training and skill.
BOMMALAATTAM OR PUPPETRY
Puppet shows are held in every village during festivals and fairs. Many kinds
of puppets are used for the show. They are manipulated through strings or wires.
The persons stand behind a screen and the puppets are held in front. The stories
enacted in the puppet shows are from puranas, epics and folklore. These shows
are very entertaining and hold both adults and children enthralled for many
hours.
THERUKOOTHU
Normally conducted during village festivals, during the months of Panguni and
Aadi. This is performed where three or four streets meet; in open air, the place
being lit by gas lights. A wooden bench is set up to seat the singers and the
musical troupe. Here, make-up and costumes are considered of prime importance.
Only men take part ; the female roles are also played by them. The performance
consists of story-telling, dialogue rendering, songs and dance, all performed
by the artistes. The stories are from Puranas, epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata,
and also local folklore. The play starts in the late evening and gets over only
during the small hours of the day. The performance is so captivating that the
audiences are spell - bounded unaware of the long hours.
OYILAATTAM
Oyil means beauty. This dance is hence the dance of beauty. Traditionally, it
is danced only by men. Ten years ago women also began to participate. First
a few people will stand in a row and start dancing with rhythmic steps with
musical accompaniment. Intricate steps are used, which are much similar to those
used in martial arts, such as Silambaattam. Then gradually the row will become
longer as the new comers and guests all join and dance along as they like. The
dancers were ankle-bells. Normally, the dance is performed with the accompaniment
of musical instruments and songs.
