About Karakattam Dance:
- Karakattam is a form of folk dance performed at festivals, conferences, road shows, and primarily at Mariamman festivals.
- It is one of the many creative traditions that owe their existence to Mariamman, the rain goddess.
- While the dance form is not dying, it has undergone radical change and adaptation in recent years.
- Karakattam and agriculture have a link. It is because the Mariamman pooja is held in the month of Medam after Makarakkoythu (harvest season) in Kerala.
- Karakattam is mostly famous in Tamil Nadu, it’s performed in different parts of Kerala as well.
What are the characteristics of Karakattam?
- Karakattam performances are characterised by a lot of swaying movements and joyous banter.
- It requires a lot of practice and dedication. Three tiers of flower arrangements of different colours sit on top of a container filled to the brim with either water, rice, or soil.
- All of this is balanced on the head of a Karakattam dancer while he or she dances.”
- Other highlights include blowing fire, inserting needles into eyes, and keeping balance while holding a bottle parallel to the ground on the performer’s back.
