KristiBruno654 at 15:38, 14 November 2025

2025-11-14T15:38:36Z

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{{Short description|Type of dance}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
{{see also|Karaga (festival)}}
{{Infobox dance
| name = Karakattam
| image = Dancers,Karakattam,Tamil Nadu357.jpeg
| alt =
| caption = Dancers performing karakattam
| native_name =
| etymology = Combination of the [[Tamil language|Tamil]] words ''karakram'' (water pot), and ''attam'' (dance)
| genre = [[Dance forms of Tamil Nadu|Tamil folk dance]]
| signature =
| instruments =
| inventor =
| year =
| origin = [[Tamil Nadu]], India
}}
'''Karakattam''' is an ancient folk dance of [[Tamil Nadu]] usually dedicated to goddess [[Mariamman]]. As per [[Tamil literature]], the dance form originated from a mix of [[Bharatanatyam|Bharatham]] and other folk dance forms. It was often performed in festivals and fairs, and used as a means to pray for rain. Different variations of the dance form exists, including Karagam Puja performed in the [[Caribbean]].

== Description ==
Karakattam is an ancient folk dance of [[Tamil Nadu]] which involves balancing clay or metal pot(s) on the head while making movements with the body.<ref>{{cite book|title=Ritual, State, and History in South Asia|first=J. C.|last=Heesterman|year=1992|page=465|isbn=978-9-004-09467-3|publisher=E.J. Brill}}</ref> It is derived from the combination of the [[Tamil language|Tamil]] words ''karakram'' (water pot), and ''attam'' (dance).<ref name="Sing">{{cite web|url=https://www.roots.gov.sg/ich-landing/ich/Craft-and-Practices-related-to-Karagam|title=Craft and Practices related to Karagam|work=[[Government of Singapore]]|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> This dance is usually associated with the worship of [[Mariamman]] and played in festivals and fairs, and to pray for rain.<ref name="Shah">{{cite book|title=Indian Etiquette:A Glimpse Into India's Culture|first=Niraalee|last=Shah|year=2021|isbn=978-1-63886-554-4|publisher=[[Notion Press]]|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7YdUEAAAQBAJ|access-date=16 July 2024|archive-date=16 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716150207/https://books.google.com/books?id=7YdUEAAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> As per [[Tamil literature]], the dance form originated from a mix of [[Bharatanatyam|Bharatham]] and other folk dance forms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tamilselvi.com/Karagam.htm|title=Tamil Nadu Dances - Karagam, Traditional Dance in Tamil Nadu|access-date=12 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106090629/http://www.tamilselvi.com/Karagam.htm |archive-date=6 January 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Performance ==
The dancers balance pots on the head while making various movements with the hands and body.<ref>{{cite book|title=Ethical Life in South Asia|year=2010|isbn=978-0-253-35528-7|publisher=[[Indiana University Press]]|page=105}}</ref> The pots may be empty or sometimes filled with water and are decorated with colorful flowers and leaves mostly [[Azadirachta indica|neem]], which is of medicinal and religious importance to the Tamils.<ref>{{cite book|title=Social History of the Tamils, 1707-1947|first=Pā|last=Cupramaṇiyan̲|year=1996|isbn=978-8-124-60045-0|publisher= University of Michigan|page=374}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Glorious Bharat|first=Ananth|last=Prabhu|year=2020|page=74}}</ref> The performer may sometimes carry multiple pots layered on top of one another.<ref name="Karak">{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/features/karakattam-folk-art-languishing-web-morality-47443|title=Karakattam: A folk art languishing in the web of morality|publisher=News minute|date=1 August 2016|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=6 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806050401/https://www.thenewsminute.com/features/karakattam-folk-art-languishing-web-morality-47443|url-status=live}}</ref> The art form was traditionally practiced by women, who wore saris. Men wearing make-up may join them sometimes as a part of the story line.<ref name="Karak"/> In the 21st century, the dance has been subjected to significant changes. It has sometimes obtained a reputation for vulgarity with women wearing short [[skirts]], showing of their midriff and bright make-up.<ref name="Karak"/>

== Variations ==
{{Refimprove|section|date=December 2010}}
Different variations of the dance form exist. Sakthi Karakam is performed only in temples as a spiritual offering.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tamilnadu.com/arts/karakattam.html|title=Karakattam Tamilnadu|work=Tamilnadu.com|date=10 January 2013|access-date=21 February 2013|archive-date=22 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122214811/https://tamilnadu.com/arts/karakattam.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Aatta Karakam symbolizes joy and happiness, and is mainly performed as entertainment.<ref name="Sing"/><ref name="Hist">{{cite web|url=https://historified.in/2025/01/07/karagam-the-water-pot-balancing-dance-of-tamil-nadu/|title=Karagam: The Water-Pot Balancing Dance of Tamil Nadu|date=7 January 2025|access-date=1 June 2025|work=Historified}}</ref>

In [[Caribbean Shaktism]], a tradition found among the [[Indo-Caribbeans]] of Tamil origin, Karakattam is known as Karagam Puja or Kalasa Puja. The tradition was brought by the [[Girmityas]], indentured servants from the [[Indian subcontinent]]. The practice takes place over three consecutive days and done as a dedication to the gods [[Kamakshi]] and [[Meenakshi]]. The festival also involves honouring other gods such as a puja for Mariamman before the procession, a river procession where offerings on a board are thrown into water as a tribute to [[Ganga (goddess)|Ganga Amman]], and [[Kateri Amman|Kaateri Maa]].<ref name="Hist"/>

The pujaris (priests) enter a trance state and honour the village gods [[Karuppu Sami|Sangili Karuppu]] and [[Madurai Veeran]] through processions with various stunts such as whipping, putting hot camphor inside the mouth, and walking on hot coals before running to a pool made of milk. Other stunts can include piercing of the tongues and cheeks, dancing on sharpened machetes, and animal sacrifices are also made.<ref name="Sing"/> The [[Kalasha|lotas]] are kept in the temple and consecrated accordingly, before being built with a [[coconut]], several layers of neem and [[oleander|oleander flowers]]. Three participants enter the Sami Aduthal stage and then two of them carry the Karagams (usually these two participants being boys before hitting puberty or women), and the other one receives the god Madurai Veeran and is dressed with a garland of oleander flowers and carries a staff topped with neem leaves.<ref name="Sing"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://kalidevimandir.com/history/|title=History|work=Kali Devi Mandir|access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref>

== In popular culture ==
Various Tamil films such as ''[[Karakattakkaran]]'' (1989), which featured a song "Maanguyilae Poonguyile" based on the dance form, and ''[[Padai Veetu Amman]]'' (2001) and [[Sri Bannari Amman]] (2002) showcase karakattam.<ref name="Hist"/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sundararaman |title=Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music |publisher=Pichhamal Chintamani |year=2007 |edition=2nd |oclc=295034757 |orig-date=2005|page=142}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvuMasd8grE Karagam performers]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ltUO3CY7og Karagam dance in Sri Lanka by Children]
{{Dance forms of Tamil Nadu}}
{{Dance in India}}

[[Category:Tamil dance styles]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]

Karakattam - Revision history

KristiBruno654 at 15:38, 14 November 2025