Karakattam Dance

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.