Pongal
Dance
Pongal is an important
festival of Tamil Nadu, which is situated in the Southern part of India. Pongal
dance is performed throughout the state by the inhabitants to observe this
festival. It differs from other Hindu festivals of India, for it is observed on
14th January of every year and it is celebrated in accordance with the solar
calendar. In North Indian states, this festival is observed as Makar Sankranti
and has astronomical implications, for it symbolises the commencement of
Uttarayan.
Throughout Tamil Nadu the
festival is celebrated for four days. In addition to feasting and singing
people observe this day by dancing to express their ecstasy. Pongal dance is
very famous among people of Tamil Nadu. Various types of traditional pongal
dances are performed on this festival in community gatherings and in temples.
Here are some of the Pongal dance names which are
performed during this auspicious occasion.
Pongal Dance Names
Karagaattam
It is a famous folk dance
of Tamil Nadu and is generally performed by rural inhabitants. It can be
performed in pair or individually. People balance a pot, put over their head
while performing this form of dance.
Kummi
Kummi is the most popular
Pongal dance performed by the people of Tamil Nadu. It is considered that this
form of dance came into existence even before the evolution of music and is the
most ancient of all the dance forms. Women in this form of dance, make circle
and rhythmically clap their hands to dance.
Mayil Attam
Girls perform this form of
dance on the auspicious occasion of pongal. In this type of dance, people get
dressed like a peacock embellished with peacock feather and sparkling dresses.
Oyil Kummi
It is the one ancient dance
forms of Tamil Nadu and is very famous in Salem, Trichi, Coimbatore, Periyar
and Dharmapuri districts. It is particularly performed by men in absence of any
music and is performed in all the temples during the festival.
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