Kurathiyattom dance is a folk dance practiced in the Kerala state of India. This folk dance is simple in its performance. Earlier, it was performed only by male performers with female characters being enacted by men. But now-a-days, women are also showing interest. Some of the teams even comprises of only female artists. This traditional dance is usually executed in the Shiva temples of the state.
Performance of Kurathiyattom Dance
Kurathiyattom essays the story of Kuravan and Kurathi (Lord Siva and Parvathi in disguise). Love, quarrel and reconciliation between Kuravan and Kurathi are the main theme of Kurathiyattom. In this dance, two Kurathis first enter in the dancing scenario, representing the wives of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva and then the performance begins. Here Kurathi refers to the set of people who go about from place to place telling fortunes. The dance proceeds with the controversy through songs over the exploitations of their respective husbands. The favourable point in case of one"s favour becomes the point of ridicule at the other"s hands and while one praises profusely the other condemns sarcastically. After this episode, the male character (kuravan) and the female character (kurathi) portray a mock quarrel. This is the general tone of the song. Maddalam, Kaimani etc., are some of the musical instruments that accompany this dance.
This ancient dance was almost on the verge of extinction in the nineties. However with the help and encouragement from temple festivals, the art form now gets platform and exposure.
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