Contrary to common academic criticism of Wikipedia in the Western countries, the Tamil Wikipedia is widely regarded as an important source of information in the Tamil language on the Internet. Ben-Amos, Dan (1997a).Cultural Significance. The Journal of American Folklore 84 (331): 3141.doi:10.2307/539731. 'Differential Identity and the Social Base of Folklore'. A Bharatanatyam performer in Toronto expressing a part of a play with hand and facial gesture, in the dance's distinctive bent leg position.Bauman, Richard (1971). Nattupura kalaigal in tamil language essay essay on environment in gujarati, bhagat singh essay short essay on my favourite personality for class 5 sports and sportsmanship short essay the impact of online games to the academic performance of the students research paper, why should you include a counterclaim in your argumentative research essay.

They are manipulated through strings or wires. Many different kinds of puppets are used for this show - cloth, wood, leather, etc. Bommalattam or puppet show Puppet shows are held in every village during festivals and fairs.

In this dance, eight to ten dancers stand in a circle or parallel lines. Chakkai Attam Chakkai Aattam is among the popular folk dances of Tamil Nadu. These shows are very entertaining and hold both adults and children enthralled for many hours. The stories enacted in the puppet shows are from Puranas, epics and folklore.

When the word вЂChakkaiвЂ™ is added to it, a special kind of dance is understood.While performing the dance the performers stand in parallel lines while dancing. вЂAattamвЂ™ means any kind of dance. It is a very old form of dance practiced in the areas of Tamil Nadu. The songs sung during the dance are about gods and goddesses.One of the folk dance forms of Tamil nadu in India is Chakkai.

It was performed in front of and at the chariot on the victorious return of the King and his army from battle field. Folklore research scholars have found that Devarattam is a combination of ancient 'muntherkuruvai' and 'pintherkuruvai' of the ancient Tamil Kings. It was actually performed once a year near the temple. The music, which accompanies the dance form of Chakkai Attam, is usually devotional songs, that is, songs on Gods and Goddesses.Devarattam is a pure folk dance still preserved.

The villagers separate themselves into two parties as Erintha katchi and Eriyatha katchi and a heated debate ensues. Kamandi or Kaman Pandigai This is celebrated to commemorate the puranic event when Manmada the God of Love was burnt to ashes by Siva in anger. He dances the first step, which others follow. The person leading the dance wears false beard and a mask decorated with shells to look like teeth. The dancers hold a kerchief in each hand and swing them as they dance. The soldiers and female dancers would form in lines and dance behind the chariot.Today, this dance does not have any songs but only danced to the beat of Urumi Melam, Thappu Melam and sometimes, a long flute.

Kazhi Attam or Kolattam Kazhi means stick and games. The dance is in praise of all female deities, the most preferred being the powerful angry goddess - Kali or Durga. They perform various stepping styles jumps. The dancers wear ankle-bells and hold anklets or silambu in their hands, which make noise when shaken.

The dancers used to wear ankle-bells. Earlier, the 'kols' were brightly painted and decorated with brass rings, bells etc. The special qualities of the dance are quickness, alertness, while being careful not to hurt the other dancers by the swinging 'kol'. It is danced by both men and women, during festivals, auspicious days and weddings. Sticks one foot length are held in each hand and beaten to make a sharp, rasping sound as the dance proceeds with unique steps, twisting and turning.

Special songs were created to be sung while carrying the Kavadi Sindhu. Kavadi Aattam has its origin in this practice. In order to lessen the boredom of the long travel they used to sing and dance about the gods.

Kazhai Kothu Kazhai Kothu is a performance of gymnastic specialised by travellers. The dance is accompanied by Pambai and Naiyandi Melam. This is mainly a religious dance, performed in worship of Lord Murugan, the second son of Siva. On top, bamboo strips are bent like a half-moon, covered with saffron cloth and further decorated on the sides with peacock feathers. It is done by balancing a pole with pots fixed on either end, filled with milk or coconut water.The poles are made from Purasai or Teak wood.

Pinnal Kolattam is danced with ropes which the women hold in their hands, the other of which are tied to a tall pole. This is performed by women only, with two sticks held in each hand, beaten to make a rhythmic sound. It could also be called 'the stick dance.' This is mentioned in Kanchipuram as 'Cheivaikiyar Kolattam', which proves its antiquity. They travel in a group from place to place, entertaining the local people and thus earning a living.Kolattam is an ancient village art.

This is performed for ten days, starting with the new moon night after Deepavali. Again, they unravel this lace reversing the dance steps. As coloured ropes are used, this lace looks extremely attractive.

It originated when there were no musical instruments, with the participants clapping their hands to keep time. Kummi Kummi is one of the ancient forms of village dances of Tamil Nadu. Wooden sticks are covered up so that the performer will appear to look taller than usual, for viewers. By tying wooden sticks to the legs.

This beak can be opened and closed with the help of a thread tied to it, and manipulated from within the dress.Other similar dances are, Kaalai Attam (dressed as a bull), Karadi Attam (dressed as a bear) and Aali Aattam (dressed as a demon), which are performed in the villages during village get-togethers. This type of dance is also practiced during various religious ceremoniesMayil Attam is done mostly by women dressed as peacocks, resplendent with peacock feathers and a glittering head-dress complete with a beak. , The first line of the song is sung by the leading lady, which the others repeat. The women stand in a circle and dance clapping their hands rhythmically to lifting songs.

This double-headed drum is widely believed to possess supernatural and sacred powers. The women folk also participate in the dance.The urumi is a folk instrument typically played by the Dalit community. These dance also shows the respect of the peacocks to Lord Muruga.Ottas, a small group of tribals, perform this form of ritual dance on festive occasions to depict episodes from epics and other ancient stories.

The urumi may also be heard on commercial recordings of film soundtracks and popular folk music. It performs for a number of festive occasions including dance-dramas, menstruation ceremonies, weddings, harvest festivals, and staged folk dances such as:- Kavadi Attam (a devotional dance to Lord Murugan)And many others.

Nattupura Kalaigal In Tamil