Kamatta

இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: காமாட்டா ‎

Kamatta is a community based Festival. Since this game is played on Festival days, it is called Beating Kamatta or Kamatta. This art is performed as a secondary performance of Karakattam in Devakottai, Karaikudi areas.

Procedure

Kamatta is similar to Kummi (Kummi is a folk dance, popular in Tamil Nadu and Kerala in India, danced mostly by Tamil women in circle). It is performed by Karagattam Artists and Supporting Artists.

A sugarcane will be planted on the pitch. People put burning materials around it and light the fire. Around the bonfire, women and clowns sing heart-pounding songs and dance beating their chests. It is influenced by the Lavani (Lavani is a genre of music popular in Maharashtra, India. It is a combination of traditional song and dance, which particularly performed to the beats of Dholki, a percussion instrument). This is a kamata occurring in Karaikudi Devakottai areas.

On the other hand, in Salem, the festival called Kamatta lasts for 15 days. During these fortnights Kamatta shedding takes place. Here also Kamatta happens similar to the type of Kummi dance.

Performers

Kamatta is performed by Karagattam Artists and Supporting Artists.