Male dominating folk dances of India

Subashini PATHMANATHAN

The folk theatre of India is a combination of dance and drama mixed with vocal music and a different variety of musical instruments. This folk theatre is very popular among the village masses and tribes. Yet this folklore is a colourful entertainment-based on history, tradition, religion and social customs. Some folk dances are connected to religious functions, religious festivals and some are agricultural functions such as harvest.

Therukoothu in Tamil Nadu is quite popular

Some of the folk dances are performed by males alone, and some of the folk dances are performed only by the females, and some are performed by males and females together. Some states of India have theme-based annual seasonal folk dance dramas like Ramlila.

Therukoothu in Tamil Nadu is quite popular basically based on ancient epics. The theme of the story is sung by the actors and dialogue take place in between the play. Distinct make-up and costumes are adopted and even the female roles are played by the males.

Similarly Purravai Aattam or Poei Kal Kutherai Aattam (dummy horse dance) is one of the traditional male folk dances of India. In this dance form horses are made out of paper or colourful cloths with glittering golden or silver borders. Through a slit in the back the man appears.

The men dress up themselves as grooms and hold swords in their hands. They dance to the accompaniment of the Nathaswara musical band. This is a common dance form during the religious functions and festive seasons.

Another male dance form is Oyilaattam or Oyil Kumi Aattam which is widely practised in Tamil Nadu by men. Oyil Kumi during the Thai Pongal festival the men hold the handkerchiefs and dance; the men form two rows in equal number and dance. It is a dance performed by the men alone therefore it resembles beautiful attractive majestic Thandava stances.

Kavadi Attam is another folk dance mainly practised by men folk but some kavadis like Paal (milk) Kavadi is performed mainly by the women which are totally associated with temple festivals. But Paravai Kavadi is performed by men alone during the temple festivals.

Sillampattam is another fork art practised by men from the Chola period. It is based on martial art methods and is used for self defence. Devaraattam is widely practised in Tamil Nadu by a clan called Kampala Nayakar. An instrument called Devathunthurki (a drum) is used in this dance.

It is claimed that there are 103 adavus which are called Aattam, in Devar Aattam. There is another dance form called Servai Aattam. It is practised by the same clan. Bhangra is the most popular dance form of Punjab. Steady firm and vigorous movements could be seen. The drummer plays the important role, he occupies the central position and the others (the dancers) form a circle around him and dance. The drummer’s beating is accompanied with the singing by one or two singers in this art form. The verses for the dance are often taken from the Punjabi poetry called Boli or Dhola.

The drummer plays the drum (dhola) with sticks, first the drums beating start with slow tempos and lead with fast tempos. The dress for this dance is pure Punjabi dress including dhoti, beautiful colourful turban, waist coat and kurta.

Chhau, dance is another form of dance which exists in three different regions of India. The Chhau dance practised in West Bengal is called Serikala Chhau which is a very vigorous martial art and suitable for males only. Royal patronage was given to this art form.

Even the princes were not only dancers, but excellent mask makers also. Purulia Chhau, exists in the south east of Orissa which is considered as a highly tribal area.

Various factors were responsible for the formation of this art form, such as Hindu religious mythology, vedas, tribal customs and martial art. The theme of the art conveys the triumph of good over evil.

In Kerala, Kuddiaattam and Chakiar Koothu both are performed by the male dancers.

However, all these male dance forms are more entertaining and colourful.

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