Karakattam
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Karakattam (Template:Lang-ta or "karakam (கரகம் 'water pot') dance") is an ancient folk dance of Tamil Nadu performed in praise of the rain goddess Mariamman.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. The song accompanies songs like folk Carnatic (Amrithavarshini).[1]
The performers balance a pot on their head. Traditionally, this dance is categorized into two types
Aatta Karakam symbolizes joy and happiness. It is mainly performed as entertainment.
Sakthi Karakam is performed only in temples as a spiritual offering.[2]
Karakkatam invokes rain through a classical Tamil dance. The most common song employs Amrithavarshini Ragam (Ragamalika). Tamils believed that mother nature gives bountiful rain and protects the harvest.
In 1989 Tamil movie Karagattakaran featured its central characters as practitioners of karakattam. The movie went on to become very popular and an advertisement for the dance form, especially because of the music by Ilaiyaraja and the song, "Maanguyilae Poonguyile."
Attire
Karakattam is usually performed in a saree.However, attire can vary as the main property is to have a karakam (Pot) on the head of the dancer. Common attire includes sarees or kurtha, colored towels and a pot.
References
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-01-06. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Karakattam Tamilnadu". Tamilnadu.com. 10 January 2013.