PrepMaticTamil Nadu GK · Culture, people & symbols
Classical and folk dances of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu's classical dance is Bharatanatyam, which is also the state dance. Its folk forms include Karagattam, Kavadi Attam, Oyilattam, Mayilattam, Poikkal Kudirai Attam, Kummi, Kolattam, Thappattam, Devarattam and the dance-dramas Therukoothu and Kuravanji. The table below says what each is and how it is performed, and the notes pick out the classical dance facts that come up most.
Bharatanatyam
Bharatanatyam is one of the eight classical dances recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi (the others are Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathakali, Sattriya, Manipuri and Mohiniyattam). Key points:
- Origin and older name. It grew out of Sadir or Dasi Attam, the temple dance of the devadasis. The Thanjavur Quartet (the brothers Chinnaiah, Ponniah, Sivanandam and Vadivelu) structured the repertoire in the early 19th century.
- Revival. E. Krishna Iyer and Rukmini Devi Arundale led the revival of the dance in the 20th century. Rukmini Devi founded Kalakshetra in Chennai (Adyar) in 1936. The Madras Devadasis (Prevention of Dedication) Act of 1947 ended dedication, a reform linked with Muthulakshmi Reddy.
- The recital (margam). Alarippu, Jatiswaram, Shabdam, Varnam, Padam or Javali, and Tillana, in that order.
- Meaning of the name. A popular explanation reads "Bha-Ra-Ta" as bhava (expression), raga (melody) and tala (rhythm). Another view links it with the sage Bharata and his Natya Shastra.
- Sources. Temple sculpture, including the Brihadeeswarar and Chidambaram temples, carries dance poses called karanas, and the Silappathikaram describes dance and its teachers.
Folk dances and performing arts
| Form | What it is | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Karagattam | Dancers balance a decorated pot (karagam) on the head | Linked with village goddess worship and festivals; also performed in theatrical form |
| Kavadi Attam | A dance with a decorated wooden arch (kavadi) carried by devotees | Associated with Murugan; seen at Palani and in Thaipusam festivals |
| Oyilattam | A group dance in rows with handkerchiefs and rhythmic steps | Often linked with Madurai and the southern districts |
| Mayilattam | Dancers dress as peacocks | Performed in temple festivals |
| Poikkal Kudirai Attam | Dancers with a dummy horse tied at the waist | Performed in village festivals |
| Kummi | Women clap and move in a circle | Performed during Pongal and Navarathri |
| Kolattam | Stick dance in pairs or circles | Performed in festivals, with songs |
| Thappattam | Dance with a frame drum (thappu) | Associated with festival processions and funerals |
| Paraiyattam | Dance to the parai drum | The parai is an ancient Tamil drum |
| Devarattam | Dance of the Devar community with drums and bells | Performed in the southern districts |
| Therukoothu | Street theatre with make-up, singing and stories from epics | Ancient form; Kattaikkuttu is a related northern form |
| Villupattu | Story-telling songs with a bow (vil) as the instrument | Performed in the southern districts, especially Kanniyakumari |
| Bommalattam | Puppet show | Thanjavur is known for its puppetry |
| Kuravanji | A dance-drama about a hill-woman who tells fortunes | Courtallam Kuravanji by Thirikuta Rasappa Kavirayar is the best-known example |
| Bhagavata Mela | Dance-drama staged by men | Melattur in Thanjavur district; performed on Narasimha Jayanti |
| Silambattam | Martial art with a bamboo staff | A fighting art that is performed in festivals |
Frequently asked questions
Which is the state dance of Tamil Nadu?
Bharatanatyam.
Who founded Kalakshetra?
Rukmini Devi Arundale, in 1936, at Adyar in Chennai.
What is Karagattam?
A folk dance in which the performer balances a decorated pot on the head while dancing.
How many classical dances does the Sangeet Natak Akademi recognise?
Eight: Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathakali, Sattriya, Manipuri and Mohiniyattam.
Where do dance questions fit in the TNPSC paper?
They are part of Tamil Nadu's culture and heritage topics. The TNPSC Tamil Nadu history and culture guide explains the weight of the unit, and the dance list goes with festivals of Tamil Nadu.
Official sources
- Sangeet Natak Akademi: classical dances, awards and documentation.
- Kalakshetra Foundation: the institution in Chennai.
- Samacheer Kalvi Tamil and Social Science textbooks, which list the folk arts that exams draw on.
Regional associations of folk forms vary by source, so use the textbook version for exams.
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