| Dappan koothu | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | Ancient Tamil music, Tamil folk dances |
| Cultural origins | 200 BCE - 200 CE Ancient Tamil country |
| Typical instruments | Urumee - Tharrai Thappatai drum - tambourine - Trumpet - Vocal - Whistling |
| Mainstream popularity | Large mid to late -1900s and current in Chennai, Tamil Nadu - Kerala - Andhra Pradesh - Jaffna, North East Ceylon |
| Regional scenes | |
| Kummi, Kolattam | |
Dappaankuthu (Tamil: டப்பாங்கூத்து), (also called Dappan koothu or Tapanguchi) is a dance and music genre with an emphasis on percussion performed in Tamil Nadu, India.[1] It has become one of the several popular genres employed in the film music[2] Tamil cinema in Chennai.[3]
Unlike classical Indian dances such as bharatnatyam or kathakali, dappaankuthu is relatively informal: it has no structured, repeated steps and dancers do not learn through formal dance classes. It shares its emphasis on percussion with older folk dances of Tamil Nadu, such as kummi and kolattam.
Contents |
Types of Kuthu
Dappankuthu : Usually performed along with a straight back with lungi in their hands and with head held high. Performed when there is a victory or when a great man dies or to depict the greatness of the person who will never bow.
Goon Dappankuthu or Hunch Dappankuthu : Usually performed with a hunch back and head held low and lungi tied to the thighs. Performed when there is a defeat or an old lady dies or to show submission.
Bigil Dappankuthu : Usually performed by two members in unison by jumping on their sides, whistling with two fingers in their mouth (known as Bigil). Performed to depict enjoyment.
Thigil Dappankuthu: Usually performed with head looking nowhere and then dropping the lungi down and legs going sideways. Performed in the middle of a dance to make a fast getaway or when police/leader arrives.
Sorugu Dapankuthu: Usually performed crouched with the lungi on the mouth and hands going back and forth and jumping inside. Performed as an act of supremacy.
Tiger Dappankuthu Usually performed by the person who everybody accepts as the Vathiyar (Teacher - Excellent in kusthi and Silambam) of the area. The attire for this dance requires a tiger mask and tiger stripes all over the body usually with yellow and black paint. This depicts that his strength matches that of a tiger. The tongue sticking out like a tiger is a significant expression of the dance. Most famous cinematic representation is by Kamal Hassan in Apoorva Sahotharargal.
Kuchipudi Dapankuthu: Usually normal dappankuthu performed with a small theekuchi held between the teeth.
Musical instruments
A percussion instrument called the Tharai thappattai drum, resembling a tambourine without the jingles, is often used for Dappaankuthu. Unlike normal tambourines, this requires a wooden to play. The urumee drum is also often used. A customised trumpet is also sometimes employed. The rhythm of the Dappan koothu (the "Tharai Thappattai" sound) is often signified by a mix of beat patterns layered and flowing into one another. Other percussion instruments may be employed in Dappan koothu.
This instrument can be heard being played in houses where death has occurred to reduce or to suppress the sound of crying or to inform others about a death in Tamil villages. The particular beat employed is called "saave adi". It may also be used to express joy
Outfit and embellishments
Even though any attire can be worn when one dances the Dappaankuthu, a lungi (colourful cloth wrapped around the waist) is commonly worn and most preferable, with the bottom raised and folded upwards over the knees in the middle. Ideally, it should be worn over pattapatti (lined trousers). The shirt worn would have only two or three buttons in place, while the chest portion is left wide open and at the lower part of the shirt is knotted (using the two portions of the shirt). It is also common to tie a handkerchief or bandana around one's forehead and/or wrist.
Loud clapping and whistling by spectators often accompanies the Dappaankuthu dance. Spectators are also known to set off firecrackers called locally as "Pattaasu" 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.
The dance is performed during funerals and some dramas.
In popular culture
- The genre has been used in several films of Tamil cinema, and was noticeably used in songs "Boyz" and "Bird Flu" by M.I.A. on her 2007 album Kala.[4]
References
- ^ The Hindu : Metro Plus Chennai / Leisure & Recreation : Twirl and swirl
- ^ The Hindu Business Line : Versatility is his forte
- ^ Editorial - Tyagaraja Aradhana 2005
- ^ Ramesh, Prithvi. "The Hindu : Metro Plus Hyderabad - My Five". The Hindu. http://www.thehindu.com/mp/2008/07/05/stories/2008070553430500.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
External links
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
