Delinker at 13:37, 31 July 2023

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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}

'''Dappan Koothu''' (also known as '''Dappanguthu''', or simply '''koothu''') is a folk [[dance]] and [[music genre]] with an emphasis on [[percussion]] performed in the [[South India|South Indian]] state of [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/05/11/stories/2005051100210400.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050523154002/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/05/11/stories/2005051100210400.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=2005-05-23 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=Twirl and swirl | date=2005-05-11}}</ref> It is one of several popular [[genre]]s employed in [[film]] music, mainly in [[Tamil cinema]] and other South films, filmed and produced by people of [[Tamil culture]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2003/10/06/stories/2003100600170400.htm|title=The Hindu Business Line : Versatility is his forte|publisher=|accessdate=8 January 2016}}</ref>

Unlike classical Indian dances such as [[bharatanatyam]] or [[kathakali]], koothu is relatively informal in that 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.

==Musical instruments==

A [[percussion]] instrument called '''Tharai thappattai''' in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], without the jingles, is often used for Dappaankuthu or similar dance forms. Unlike normal tambourines, this requires a wooden stick to play. The [[urumi (drum)|urumee]] drum is also often used. A customised [[trumpet]] (called [[Nadaswaram]] locally) is also sometimes employed. The rhythm of the Dappan koothu is often signified by a mix of beat patterns layered and flowing into one another. Other percussion instruments may be employed in Dappan koothu. A similar instrument called ''TamaTe'' in Kannada resembling a Ganesh [[tambourine]] is also used for such dance forms in border areas such as M.M. Hills. The most-used [[time signature]] for dappan koothu songs is {{music|time|6|8}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/variations-on-the-68/article4568073.ece|title=Variations on the 6/8|author=KARTHIK VARMA|work=The Hindu|accessdate=17 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/pen-pencil-percussion/article2151790.ece|title=Pen, pencil, percussion|author=PRINCE FREDERICK|work=The Hindu|accessdate=8 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Abhishek-does-a-Vijay/articleshow/3279565.cms|title=Abhishek does a Vijay|work=The Times of India|accessdate=8 January 2016}}</ref>

==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 accompany the Dappaankuthu dance. Spectators are also known to set off [[Firecracker|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.

In Male Mahadeshwara hills of Karnataka bordering Tamil Nadu, the music for this dance will be played for money, and the believers can dance for longer time.
Particularly in this hill, there is a saying that god feels happy if his believers dance for him.

==In popular culture==
* The genre has been used in several films of [[Tamil cinema]], and was noticeably used in the songs "[[Boyz (song)|Boyz]]" and [[Kalki]]"[[Bird Flu (song)|Bird Flu]]" by [[M.I.A. (rapper)|M.I.A.]] on her [[2007 in music|2007 album]] ''[[Kala (album)|Kala]].''<ref>{{cite news |author=Ramesh, Prithvi| title = Metro Plus Hyderabad - My Five| url = http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/07/05/stories/2008070553430500.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121107174428/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/07/05/stories/2008070553430500.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2012-11-07 |work= [[The Hindu]] | accessdate = 2008-07-24 | location=Chennai, India | date=2008-07-05}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S25s9blboA8 A sample of the Dappankoothu Dance]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr-zER6idsM A sample of the Dappankoothu Beat]

[[Category:Tamil dance styles]]
[[Category:Culture of Chennai]]
[[Category:Tamil music]]
[[Category:Folk dances of Tamil Nadu]]

Dappan koothu - Revision history

Delinker at 13:37, 31 July 2023