From Tradition To Grace: Dance Forms Of Tamil Nadu

Dance is an integral part of the culture of Tamil Nadu. The various dance forms found across the State are like living traditions and express a range of cultural traditions. Depending on the dance form, they can also serve as a storytelling method, highlighting folklore as well as epics.

Oyilattam

Oyilattam is a traditional folk dance from the southern state of Tamil Nadu. The term "oyil" refers to "beauty" in Tamil. As a result, it is also known as the "Dance of Beauty" or the "Dance of Grace." Oyilattam is a visually appealing dance narrating stories from mythology. Men traditionally perform it with colourful handkerchiefs tied around their fingers. However, this has changed over the years, and today, you will find women performing this dance. Wearing ankle bells, the dancers move in rhythmic steps to the sound of traditional instruments such as the thavil.

Poi Kaal Kudhirai

Dancers perform this vibrant and energetic traditional folk dance during religious festivals. They wear a horse prop around the waist, made of lightweight materials. Hence, the name Poi Kaal Kudhirai, which translates to the Dance of the False-Legged Horse. The performance has an incredible energy with dancers balancing on wooden sticks (or “legs”) made from mango trees, which are used to imitate the sound of horse hooves. The dancers balance on them while they move with immense grace, to the sound of traditional instruments like the kundalam, naiyaandi melam, and thavil. The dance is associated with the worship of God Ayyanar and the dancers perform in pairs, adorned as king and queen wearing bright clothing and accessories.

Therukoothu

This form of open-air street theatre consists of elaborate performances and storytelling accompanied by singing, dancing, and elements of drama. It is usually held in the evening. The best time to witness Therukoothu is during the Tamil months of Panguni (March-April) and Aadi (July-August). The performances are sometimes held to ask for a bountiful harvest or a good monsoon. Therukoothu stories are inspired by epics such as the Puranas, Mahabharata, and Ramayana. The performers wear elaborate and striking costumes, vibrant make-up, and masks. The characters have a base colour with certain motifs drawn on their faces. Their colourful costume includes skirts, headgear, and shoulder plates. Therukoothu clothes, colours, and themes represent powers of good and evil, as well as the qualities of the characters. The performances primarily use songs to develop the plot, and traditional instruments such as drums and cymbals back the dancers.

Karagattam

This dance gets its name from the Tamil words "karu" for "clay" and "kattam" for "pot." The dancers in a Karagattam performance balance a decorated brass pot filled with rice on their heads. The pot is believed to symbolise the deity they are worshipping through the dance. Karagattam performers dance to the folk tunes of Naiyandi Melam. The dance is an offering to the rain Goddess Mariamman – a prayer for a good monsoon. The dances are known for being lively and energetic, characterised by intricate steps.

Parai Attam

Also known as Thapattam, this folk dance of Tamil Nadu is performed by energetic drumbeats. During the dance, the drum player, who is also the dancer, keeps the beat. The drum players use two sticks, one larger and thinner than the other. It is mainly seen during social occasions such as funerals and weddings. The name of the dance comes from the parai, a traditional frame drum. Believed to be one of the oldest percussion instruments in India, the parai was once used to convey messages to the public. Parai Attam can be seen in a considerable number of festivities in Tamil culture.

Bharatanatyam

One of India's most famous classical dance forms, Bharatanatyam, is based on the Natya Shastra, considered the authoritative text regarding drama in India. Its origins are as a temple dance and can be traced to the ancient Sadir Attam. Bharatanatyam dancers, clad in resplendent Kancheepuram silk sarees, perform to Carnatic music and are accompanied by vocalists, mridangam (drum) players, veena players, violinists, and more. The dance is known for rigorous footwork and evocative hand gestures for abhinaya (expressions to narrate the story). While you can catch a Bharatanatyam performance at many places in Tamil Nadu, one of the best experiences is at the annual Natyanjali Festival held in Chidambaram. It is organised in honour of the presiding deity, Nataraja, in the backdrop of the ancient Arulmigu Thillai Natarajar Temple. Tamil Nadu has a rich heritage of dance forms. One of the best places to witness the diversity of folk dances is at ‘Namma Ooru Thiruvizha’. A confluence of folk and village arts, it is a grand Folk Arts Festival that explores the true essence of the State.