Dance forms of Tamil Nadu

-Purvi Gupta 

Tamil Nadu is known for its beautiful dance forms which had originated in Tamil Nadu and practiced there. Let’s start with classical dance form that is Bharatanatyam.

Bharatanatyam is the most famous dance forms in the country and is practiced by many even outside the state. Bharatanatyam has originated in Tamil Nadu and one of the oldest classical dance forms. Bharatanatyam is basically a combination of Tamil word bharatam and Natyam. Bharatanatyam was usually performed by women but in today’s time it is also performed by males too. The dancers dance on the beats of musicians or singers. Bharatanatyam involves many dancers who play specific characters in the film and the dancers are dressed in colorful silk saree with golden jewellery and they also wear anklets, to make the dance sound more pleasing. Bharatnatyam has been a form of narration mythical legends, and spiritual ideas from Hindu texts.

Bamber is also another type of Tamil dance forms, which is usually performed in temples to pay tribute to Krishna and his gopis. This dance form is usually performed during the festival of Ramanavami and Janmashtami. And the dancers wear colorful clothes.

Then comes karakattam, which also one of the traditional dance forms in Tamil Nadu. This dance includes balancing pot on a head while dancing. The pot is decorated with papers and flowers. This dance is also performed to pay tribute to the goddess of rain and fertility (Mari Amman) and goddess of river (Gangai Amman).

Let’s come to kavadi attam. The traditional dance form performed by men. And the ones who follow the lord Murugan perform this dance form. The dance involves carrying burdens, since men wear vel skewers pierced in their cheeks and tongue. The dancers also carry a wooden arc with feathers, flowers and other decorations on it. And some of the items they carry while dancing is quite heavy.

Devrattam the dance form tributed to the Tamil kings when they return with victory in the battle. In this dance the dancers hold handkerchief in the hands while dancing and swing it along and copy the movements of the lead dancer with fake beard and mask. This dance form is usually performed in festivals or social gathering. In today’s time the dance does not have lyrical music performed on the beats of flute, urumi melam or thappu melam.