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Tamilnadu had developed and fine-tuned the art of entertainment.
The three modes of entertainment are classified as Iyal or Literature,
Isai or Music and Nadagam or Dance/Drama
have had their roots in the rural folk theatre like Therukoothu.
Many forms of group and individual dances with classical forms have been adapted
for popularity and sheer entertainment value. A majority of these dances still thrive
in Tamil Nadu today.The most celebrated form of village folk dance is Karagattam.
Karagattam
Karagam is a folk dance with musical accompaniment. Balancing
a water pot on the head the dancer performs. Traditionally, the villagers in praise
of the rain goddess Mari Amman and river goddess, Gangai Amman, performed this dance
with water pots balanced on their heads. In Sangam literature, this dance is mentioned
as Kudakoothu. This dance has two parts, the Aatta Karagam and the
Shakti Karagam. More often it is danced with decorated pots on the
head and is known as Aatta Karagam and this symbolises joy and merriment. Aatta Karagam
is performed only in temples, while the Shakti Karagam is mainly entertainment.
Karagattam is one of the more popular rural dances today. Earlier it was performed
only with accompaniment of the Naiyandi Melam but now it includes songs also.
The Karagam was once performed for mulaipari
ceremony. The dancer carried a pot of sprouted grains on his/her head and danced,
balancing it through intricate steps and body/arm movements. Today, the pots have
transformed from mud pots to bronzeware and even stainless steel pots. The pots
are placed one on top on the other, ranging in size to resemble a narrow triangle
and they are decorated with flowers, and topped by a paper parrot. The parrot rotates
as the dancer moves and swerves. This dance is very popular all over State, though
it is said tohave begun in Thanjavur. Most Karagam artistes hail from Thanjavur,
Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Thirunelveli, Pattukottai and Salem. An individual
or two persons can perform this dance. Both male and female performers participate
and acrobatics similar to that of a circus are included. They range from dancing
on a rolling block of wood, to going up and down a ladder, and the more intricate
and absorbing feats like threading a needle while bending backwards with the pots
still resting on the head and many others.
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