FOLK FORMS

1. Folk Dance Of Tamil Nadu

2. Popular folk dance of Tamil Nadu
It is said that there are nearly 40 to 50 folk dances alone in this state which reflects the rich culture
and heritage of this state.
 Mayil attam
 Kummi
 Kai silambu attam
 Karakattam
 Bhagavatha nandanam
 Oyilattam
 Kavadi attam
 Kolaattam
 Kuravanji
 Devarattam
 Poikkal kudirai attam

3. Mayil attam
 Also known as mayilnrittam, is an artistic and religious form of dance performed in
the Hindu temples of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
 Practiced in admiration and respect to lord Subrahmanyam
 First originated in Tamil Nadu
 executed usually by the rural women
 In this art form, the performer wears costumes from head to toe that resembles
that of a peacock with beak cause Subrahmanya used to travel on his most beloved
animal that is peacock.
 Here, the dancers are dressed as peacocks and even wear peacock feathers with
beak in front. The beak is movable as it is tied with a thread and it can be
manipulated from within the dress. The dress is all seen in glittering form from
head to toe. The dancers also attach a tall piece of wood at the end of their feet as
they do not wear any other foot accessory.
 This dance is performed in all Murugan (Lord Subrahmanya) temples as a
tradition during festivals.

4.  Since the Sangam period, which lasted from the 3rd century BC to the 4th century AD,
Lord Subrahmanya has been adored in Tamil Nadu.
 Imitating the movement and style of a peacock is part of the dance movement.
 Due to the difficulties in practise and less amount of wages for the dancers, the number
of Mayilattam performers is decreasing
 The dancer demonstrates how the bird cleans its feathers with its beak and legs, with
meticulous planning and execution.
 The melody is then followed by close steps going at a slow rhythmic speed. As the time
and rhythm speed, each movement follows a circular pattern.

5. Kummi Dance
 popular in Tamil Nadu and Kerala in India
 danced mostly by Tamil women in circle.
 Dancing may be different. In some places, it is very simple, with rhythmic clapping or
beating of the drums. In other places dancers imitate various harvesting activities.
 Kummi often accompany by songs, called "Kummi songs".
 It is often danced during festivals. It is also danced by Tamils of Sri Lanka.
 The word "kummi" has originated from the Tamil "kommai", meaning dance with
clapping of hands , and had originated at a time when instruments were not invented.
 The Kummi dance of Tamil Nadu is a standout amongst the most significant and
antiquated types of town dances. Being started when there were no melodic
instruments, this dance has the members applauding to keep time.
 The kummi dance is performed for the most part by ladies. The ladies remain around
and dance applauding musically to the tunes. They likewise dance in the circle and the
hand signals connote the procuring and the reaping procedure.

6.  In some nearby varieties of the Kummi dance, men additionally take an interest.men
with little sticks in their grasp structure a bigger external hover, inside which the ladies
remain in a little ring. The applauding of the hands by the ladies and the beating of the
sticks by men are consummately synchronized with their means and the musicality of the
melodies.
 Does not pursue a specific clothing standard in this way the outfit young ladies wear
pavadaichattai, adolescents wear pavadaidhavani, and the grown-up ladies wear saris.
 Dance is performed during celebration seasons, for example, Pongal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WtAYXgGxXY

7. Karakattam Dance
• Atta Karagam or simply Karakattam is an ancient and traditional art form in the folk dance
• It was conceived to offer praise and oblations in glory of the rain goddess Mariamman.
• Origin of Karakattam is from the heritage dance form Bharatham.
• The earliest mention of this particular art form can be traced back to the vintage and
primordial texts in Tamil literature dating back to a timeline at least five thousand years ago.
• The ancient Tamil epic says that this type of dance derived from Bharatham and a mixture of
multiple forms of Tamil dance forms like Bharatanatyam postures and mudras.
• The offering of this dance is to the goddess to bless rain . This particular dance form has
several interesting sequences wherein the performer distorts their body in various postures or
mudras so as to mimic scenes depicting the greatness of the Goddess of Rain. The dance recital
is the way of the associated culture to relate as an offering to please the forces that be and the
Rain goddess for a healthy supply of rainfall.
• The dance recital is accompanied by any song of Carnatic origin.

8. • cultural significance of this dance recital include distinctly colourful props and
dress with resplendently painted faces. The dance form involves balancing a large
number of pots of decreasing size on the head of the dancers while dancing and
expressing the theme of the dance to the audience through their movements. It is
performed as an entertainment form as well as a spiritual practise. However,
when performed in a spiritual or religious backdrop it is an oblation of reverence
to mark the grace of the Gods. It is believed that such detailed and intrinsically
orchestrated dance recitals please the overbearing forces and in return they bless
them with bountiful rains and a fertile harvest. So it is quite evident this dance
form has its roots in the socio-economic agricultural society of ancient India.
• Aatta Karakam symbolizes joy and happiness. It is mainly performed as
entertainment.
• Sakthi Karakam is performed only in temples as a spiritual offering.
• Three tiers of flower arrangements of different colours sit on top of a container
filled to the brim with either water, rice, or soil. All of this is balanced on the head
of a Karakattam dancer while he or she dances.
• Other highlights include blowing fire, inserting needles into eyes, and keeping
balance while holding a bottle parallel to the ground on the performer’s back.

9.  The current karakattam fashion appears to have been corrupted, probably due to lack of
support with Bharatanatyam purists dismissing the art as non-traditional and low class, as it
has been reduced to more of a night glamour art, with young girls in skimpy clothing
preferred as the performers and the audience having drunkards who come only to ogle and
tease them. The Madras High Court issued a directive to disallow alcohol consumption when
attending karakattam performances and to not do performances which are "obscene and
vulgar".

10. Bagavata Nandanam
• Bhagavata Nadanam is one of beautiful folk dances of Tamil Nadu.
• Dance is performed inside a temple, around a lamp.
• This is performed during Ramanavami and Gokulashtami, . It is also performed as part
of the yearly Narasimha Jayanthi festival from May through June.
• This dance drama depicts Lord Vishnu’s life and splendour in his several incarnations or
avatars as described in the Bhagavatha Purana.

11. Oyilattam
• Oyilattam dance form has got a beautiful meaning which
stands as the dance of grace.
• The origin of this beautiful exclusive dance is in Madurai.
Madurai is in the region of Tamil Nadu. The dance was
first performed in the southern Tamil Nadu in Tirunelveli
district Madurai and Tiruchirapalli district locality.
• The Oyilattam dance form is traditional, and it is
performed by a few men making row and performing
distinctive steps on musical notes.
• The dancer tries handkerchiefs on their fingers and bells
on their ankles while performing the steps.
• This dance is mainly enjoyed in village during festivals.
This beautiful traditional dance form, on the whole,
portray the folk and mythological stories like
Mahabharata, lord Muruga’ s tale and Ramayana.

12.  Tamil Nadu folk dance started its voyage as a holy art dance in the
ancient temples as a part of Worshiping goddesses and gods. On the
lyrics of divine songs, this dance used to be performed. The dance was
said to be the act of devotion for their deities.
 Later this dance form started taking part in the king's courts. After
becoming part of the king’s court entertainment, it becomes famous,
and now it is performed in every village festival. Now it has female
dancer too.
 Oyilattam dance has unique dance steps that dancer execute on
music. The colorful dresses and tied handkerchiefs give it individual
look and pleasant to audiences.
https://youtu.be/4mx2Sz344CI

13. Kavadi attam
• The festival of Kavadi Attam is a religious folk dance which is celebrated by the Hindus of
Tamil Nadu.
• The name Kavadi Attam, literally means ‘Burden dance’.
• In this festival, Lord Murugan, the God of War is worshipped.
• Lord Murugan is worshipped by making ceremonial sacrifices and offerings to pray to him
to help them ward off their debts and to be saved from any kind of calamity. The Kavadi
may vary in shape and size and it has rice, milk or anything that the devotee would like to
offer to Lord Murugan.

14.  Devotees start preparing for the festival 48 days before the Thaipusam. To keep both their mental
and physical purity intact, they consume only one vegetarian meal per day and observe complete
fast a day before Thaipusam. During this, they strictly follow certain things, for example, they
pray most of the time, sleep on the floor, bath in cold water, abstain from drinking, etc. to stay
away from the worldly desires.
 On the day of the festival, pilgrims move on foot on the pilgrimage route i.e. from village to
village, upto the Pallani hills, dancing and performing various devotional acts. They carry some
kind of kavadi (burden) with them, which could be a pot of milk or two semicircular pieces of
wood, which are bent and fixed to a cross structure, so that it can be balanced on the shoulders.
The kavadi may weigh upto many kilograms. It is often beautified by using flowers, feathers and
peacock feathers, which is considered to be Lord Murugan’ s means of transportation.
 Long Bamboo stick, suspended with weightless bamboo pails , filled with flowers or other items as
vowed by a devotee, at both the ends of the stick. This is made to rest on the shoulders of the
devotee, swinging and swaying to the walk and dance of the devotees who travel a long distance
by foot. Kavadi is dedicated to Lord Murugan on important festive occasions . Kavadi Chindu is
the most popular lyrics used in Kavadi Attam. Annamalai Reddiar was the most popular
composer in this form of art. Kavadi bearers wear Saffron, Yellow and Red costumes with a
garland around their neck. This is believed as an endurance test to all the devotees to receive the
blessings of Lord Murugan..
https://youtu.be/3ArMsFPcoJA

15. Kai Silambu Attam
 This dance is performed in temples during Amman festivals or Navaratri festival.
 The dancers wear ankle-bells and hold anklets or silambu in their hands, which make noise when
shaken.
 They perform various stepping styles jumps. The dance is in praise of all female deities, the most
preferred being the powerful angry goddess - Kali or Durga.
 This is also known as Koladi, Kolkali, Kambadi Kali
https://youtu.be/prddIZ1G6Ow

16. Kolattam
• Kolattam is an ancient village art. It could also be called "the stick dance.“
• It is also called as Kolannalu or Kolkolannalu.
• Kolaattam is performed only by women.
• This dance form is performed during local village festivals. It offers a great variety of
entertainment not only to spectators but also to the participants. Kolaattam is also performed
in other states but is known by different names in different states of India.
• ‘Kol’ means a small stick, and ‘Attam’ means play, This is mentioned in Kanchipuram as
‘Cheivaikiyar Kolaattam’.
• The group comprises of dancers in the range of 8 to 40. The dancers hold two sticks in each
hand and beat those together to bring a rhythmic background. , this dance is also called as
“stick dance”.
• Pinnal Kolaattam is also a form of this dance, where ropes are used instead of sticks. One end
of these ropes is held in the woman’s hand while the other is tied to a tall pole. Later, with
planned steps, the women skip over each other, forming intricate lace-like patterns in the
ropes. Then again, they un weave the lace by reversing the dance steps. This dance is very
attractive for the eyes, as various colourful ropes are used. This dance is performed for ten
days, starting with the Amavasi or New-moon night after Deepavali.

17.  The costume of this dance is mainly traditional. They wear ornaments to complete their
look which mainly comprise of necklace, bangle and ear ring. They also tie their hair in a
bun or plait and adorn it with decorative flowers and ornaments.
 The festival connected with Kolaattam has both a cultural and a religious significance, this
festival is celebrated as Kolatta Jothrai in a number of places in Tamil Nadu.
https://youtu.be/36CppZVh0Oo

19. Kuravanji
• The word "Kura" refers to the tribe 'Kuruvas' or 'Chenchus where the men were
the nomadic hunters of Andhra Pradesh, whereas their women folk were reputed
fortune-tellers
• The word "Anji" is derived from adavus, which means traditional dances. The form
is also referred to as kuram and kuluva natakam.
• art originated in the 17th century, The earliest patron of this was King Rajaraja
Chola. who constructed a big platform at Thanjavur for holding Kuravanji
performances during the annual festival, Kuravanji Medai.
• The main theme of Kuravanji is human love towards God and other human.
• There are hundreds of Kuravanjis performed all over the state

20. • 'Thirukkutrala Kuravanji are famous for their fluent poetic importance.
• The Viralimalai Kuravanji is recognized for its musical value.
• In Azhagar Kuravanji and the Thirumalai Andavar Kuravanji, a wonderful balance is
maintained between music and literature.
• Lord Vighneswara is the presiding deity for its performance. As the play starts, it depicts
the story of Kuravanji.
• Kuravanji, the heroine, a dancing girl falls in love with the local presiding deity or the
ruler of the land. She appears to the god of love to grant her wish and describes the divine
being's state procession, the natural wealth of the area, its fertility. Fortune telling by
reading the palm is also one of the features of Kuravanji. In addition to the gypsy women,
songsters, instrumental musicians and dancing girls add to the charm of the art. The
heroine entreats her maids to relieve her suffering by bringing her lover to her.
• Kuravanjis were regularly performed in temples and the artistes kept them ready for
performance. But due to the prohibition of the dancing of the devadasis in temples, the
practice of performing Kuravanjis, also declined slowly
https://youtu.be/2jQz6KzqVAw

21. Devarattamm
• Devarattam is a Tamil Word derived from the words "Devar" or Thevar in Tamil meaning: the
god/ king/ or warriors) and "Attam" in Tamil meaning: the dance.
• Kambala Nayakar community of tamil nadu usually lived in pastoral areas and did hunting,
cattle-rearing, and fortune-telling for their livelihood. There are 9 sub-castes in the
community and all of them worship Sakkadevi or Goddess Jakkamma. These people have
indigenous cultural practices and customs practiced only within their community.
Devarattam a beautiful folk art form of Tamil Nadu, also known as the celestial dance of the
Devas(demigods) is an indigenous dance form of the Kambala Nayakars.
• It is performed for their various religious and life-events such as childbirth, puberty,
marriage, and death.Dundubhi is a percussion instrument that is essential for Devarattam
performance.
• Men, women, and children alike wear stringed brass bells or Salangai on their ankles and
dance to the various tunes of the Deva Dundubhi. The men usually wear turbans and shirts
during the Devaraattam performance except during the worship of Jakkamma. Sometimes
they even wear costumes like a king, warrior, God etc., during the act. With time, Kamabala
Nayakars begun worshipping Gods like Mariamman and Vishnu. It has now become a
common practice to perform Devaraattam during temple festivals, especially during the
festivals of Vaishnava temples.

22. • Devarattam has no lyrics. Its dancers just dance to the beats of the urumi. In the
olden days, it was performed as a welcome dance to invite the kings and also as a
motivational dance for the army before leaving for the battle-field. Devaraattam was
traditionally performed by men, but these days even women are dancing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksIebWcPZuI

23. Poikkal Kuthirai Attam
• Poikkaal Kuthirai Aattam meaning horse dance with false legs.
• Poikkal Kuthirai Attam hails from Tamil Nadu but it also very popular in Maharashtra. It is believed
that this dance form was introduced in Tamil Nadu, by the Maratha kings who ruled Thanjavur. The
dance is also known by other names such as Puravai Aattam or Puravi Nattiyam (horse dance), Poi
Kudhirai (false horse) and Marakkaalaadal (wooden leg dance).
• Legend also has it that Goddess Durga used to perform this dance. Once, the Durga’s enemies decided
to exact revenge on the Goddess by disguising themselves as venomous snakes, scorpions etc., and
planned to bite her when she danced. Being aware of their plans, Durga tied wooden pieces around her
leg while she danced. Her heavy dance movements with the wooden pieces led to the death of her
enemies, thus giving this dance form the name Marakkaalaadal, which was later renamed as Poikkaal
Kudhirai Aattam.
• The performers as if fit inside the horse shell mainly at the hip position. The horse shell is highly
decorated ,embroidered with ornamental designs with the deliberate usage of glass to shine off the
light and make a visual effect on the audience. The performers balance themselves on the wooden legs
and portray a performance that will make love flow. The performance usually occurs in a duo.

24. • They screech the horse at times to portray anger. At times they rotate the horse in a
harmonic way to showcase love. So this is a simple case of jugalbandi
• Heavy facial expressions, at times exaggerated, and the continuous beating of the tin drum
accompanies the act. This dance form is usually performed during festivals, in processions
or during religious functions such as those for Ayyanar, the Hindu deity who protects
villages.
• The dance is usually performed in pairs. The horse shell is beautifully embellished with
attractive designs, and is made of jute, cardboard, and paper to keep the shell light.
• One of the most common themes for this dance is the portrayal of kings and queens. Dancers
usually brandish swords and whips as they perform. Sometimes, dancers form groups of
eight or ten and perform in a circle or in a line. Dancers display heavy and exaggerated
facial expressions and interact extensively with each other, by skillfully manoeuvring their
false-legged horses, to convey a range of emotions

25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4n2p
L4yBOQ

26. Folk Arts Of Tamil Nadu

27. • The graceful arts and crafts of Tamil Nadu have found generous mention in the archives of
Kautilya, Pliny and a number of other scholars who were in awe of the soft muslin, fine silk,
elaborate ivory work and precious gems like tortoise shells, diamonds, pearls and rubies
produced by the state.
• Popular as the ‘Cultural Capital’ of India, Tamil Nadu is extremely well-known for its marvelous
temples and other architectural gems. . The state rose to prominence primarily because of its
well-known and outstanding Tanjore Paintings that flourished at the time of Chola dynasty in
ancient Tanjavoor. In this traditional art form, the paintings showcase the embellished form of
the sacred deities of the region.
• The deities in the paintings are festooned with glass pieces, pearls, semi-precious stones, and
gold and other vibrant colors. In the modern times, Tanjore paintings look up to human figures,
animals, floral motifs and birds as muses.
• The Kumbu, the Naadaswaram, various lutes and percussion instruments, Thamburas and the
Silappadikaaram are some of the popular instruments of Tamil Nadu.

28. Paintings
• Tanjore paintings of Tamil Nadu are a stamp of the rich cultural heritage of India.
• Done up in effervescent shades and studded with vibrant pearls, semi-precious stones, glass
pieces and gold, this art work is a masterwork that is done on bases like ivory, wood, or mica.
• The unique style of these paintings is also a subject of study. In the starting, a wooden board is
made. The painting is done on a different unbleached piece of cloth that is later treated with a
mix of chalk powder and glue. The drawing then is traced down on the board, trailed by
decorations, which is then painted with a mixture of gum and chalk powder for making 3
dimensional style shade effect.

29. Woodcraft
• Tamil Nadu is known for a number of causes, starting from wonderful temples, daunting
monuments and, budding art and culture seen in its sculptures, wood crafts and paintings.
• Woodcraft has slowly started to pay decent revenue in the art and craft industry of Tamil
Nadu. The skilled craftsmen of the state were earlier dependent on patronization from the
rulers to earn their livelihood, however, they are now coming in link with able local artisans
from local villages whose talent can be seen in a number of artefacts of the region made by
them.
• The fiber and basket products of Tamil Nadu are popular all around the country and the
world because of their aesthetic appeal. Cane, palm trees, reeds, grass and bamboo shoots
are used for making wood words and basket products in Tamil Nadu. Coconut fibers and
wooden barks are used for making utility products such as mats, ropes, baskets and so on.

31. Stone carving
• The South Indian state of Tamil Nadu has been celebrated for its excellent stone carvings
since the starting of the ancient history of India. This aboriginal craft gained momentum
after the culturally advanced rulers of the state became the patrons of the local craftsmen
who were able to keep their art form active.
• The remnants of stone carvings, granite figures and similar such statues that were found at
the time of excavation from the archeological site, all earn a special remark. They have a
tale to tell that artistry has been a part of region from prehistoric times.
• Today Chingleput and Mamallapuram are the two places where granite carving can be
seen. These special talent is owned by the skilled craftsmen of local communities
Kammaalar and Vishwakarma.

33. • The cultural and artistic splendor of the Tamil Nadu state can be seen in its traditional jewelry
pieces.
• The state is famed for its conventional stone-adorned jewelry pieces including neckpieces, earing,
anklets, nose drops, waist belts and bracelets.
• During the ancient times in the state, diamonds as well as other precious stones were owned by
men as well as women. Those people were ardent believers of the magical powers of the nine
gems or the Navaratnas, which were specially worn to ward off the evil eye and pacify the
planetary position..
• Traditional music and dance have played an important role in the cultural setting of the state.
• The result of this was the blooming up of shops and industries making musical instruments.
Such shops and centers, in majority, are found around Thanjavur, known for producing some of
the most important musicians of the country.

34. • instruments were used by ancient Tamil musicians during occasions like marriage
ceremonies and temple rituals. “The instruments can be divided as: Tholkaruvi
(percussions), Thulaikkaruvi (wind instrument), Kanchakaruvi (gongs and cymbals) and
Narambukkaruvi (string instruments). There are several references to these instruments
found in historical inscriptions and songs from classic Tamil literature.
• there were more than 70 different instruments mentioned in Tamil literature. But many of
these have been lost forever.Today, there are only around 20 such instruments in practice.
One of the instruments which survived is the Panchamukha Vadyam, a metal drum with
five faces. It is made of bronze and covered with animal skin. This ancient drum is
extremely rare and is still played at the Thyagaraja Temple in Tiruvarur.

35. Pottery
• Vellore in north Arcot district of Tamil Nadu is famous for black and red
earthenwares.
• Usilampatti in madurai district has black pottery painted over with a
special yellow substance which has an old tradition.
• Panruti in south Arcot is famous for a large variety of clay work that
include small and large figures of deities, toys, etc.
• Karigiri in south Arcot is most famous for its unique style of pottery. The
base of this pottery is made with a local semi-vitreous white low fusing
china clay with high plasticity known as namakatte. The distinctiveness
of this type of pottery lies in its highly artistic shapes, original colours in
glazes and excellent ornamentation.
• Pottery from Karukurichi in Tirunelveli district is popular for its
technical superiority and novel and attractive shapes. Red, black and
grey clay are used for the base. This clay body looks brighter after a
coating of red ochre. This is done for all common items of use.

36. Bommalattam- Puppetry
• The puppetry show popular across Tamil Nadu is Bommalattam, an ancient folk art form
of the state. A strong form of street art which keeps attracting large number of audience
since ancient times.
• Earlier when Bommalattam was used as a medium of art, religious stories, ethics and
moral values were inculcated in the minds of audience. Later, before independence when
there were freedom struggles across the country, this was used to nurture the quest for
freedom and zeal of nationalism.
• In the independent India, Bommalattam is a popular tool to discuss about various
political, social and economic issues and challenges in the open forum. Most of the times,
health and hygiene, vaccination, employment opportunities and other critical issues
prevailing from time to time are included as part of the session, explained to the
onlookers.
• The dolls or the puppets are acclaimed as the most articulate of traditional Indian
marionettes and are leather, wood, cloth and animal skin are usually used to make such a
lovely puppet.

37. • String or iron rods are tied to limbs of the puppets and movement of the puppets are controlled
by people behind the screen not visible to audience.
• It is interesting to watch the puppets standing at a height of four metres or so, involving
themselves in the conversations, nodding their heads and making cute body movements. The
entire show requires skilful masters holding the strings’ other end, controlling the actions of
puppets.
• This art form is used to spread religious stories. Simple folk believe that it is auspicious to have
this performance in their village and that its performance will ward off evil spirits/epidemics
and bring prosperity. The main themes are the stories from the Ramayana, the Mahabharatha
and the Bhagavatha.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gzT68sgbtI