Dappankuthu

Dappaankuthu (டப்பாங்கூத்து in Tamil) is a type of dance performed on the streets of Chennai, India. It is usually performed in economically backward areas, and is commonly performed to relieve emotional stress or in celebration of an event. It is therefore equally likely in both wedding processions and funeral processions. It is traditionally performed to the infectious beats of ohlalala lala music.

Basic Steps

This dance form is roughly performed as instructed below:

1. Take one step with your foot.
2. If you just brought your left foot forward, point your left fist to the sky and your right fist directly ahead, otherwise do the opposite.
3. If you bring your left fist skyward, look straight ahead or slightly upwards, otherwise look down at your feet.
4. The above three steps should be done simultaneously.
5. Bob your torso up and down once.
6. Repeat with the other foot and continue doing so.
7. Maintain a pace of one step every second, with a bob equidistant between every two steps .
8. Pelvic thrusts between steps can also be introduced to provide some variation.

It is considered important to dance the way one feels during the performance (i.e., to improvise), so dapaankuthu is not necessarily restricted to the above steps, though they form the major elements of this traditional art form..

Outfit and Embellishments

Although any attire can be worn when one dances the dappaankuthu, a lungi (colourful cloth wrapped around the waist; commonly worn) is most preferable -- ideally bottom folded upwards over the knees in the middle.And they wear a scarf around their neck, tied in a completely different way. and they open all their shirt buttons to expose thier chest.

It is considered polite or is a gesture of admiration to mark time by clapping and whistling loudly when someone else is dancing the dappaankuthu. Spectators are also known to set off firecrackers on the ground during the performance.

Facial expressions are employed for effect by the dancers. For example, the tongue, folded over and held in position with the front teeth, is brought out at regular intervals.

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