Oyil Kummi

இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: ஒயில் கும்மி ‎

Oyil Kummi is a type of Kummi (clapping of hands) dance with limited movements. In this art, it is customary to orate the story through singing similar to Oyil Attam. This art is performed for the Mulaippari festival in places of worship. This art is closely related to Oyil Attam art. The art is also known as the "Nattu Kottu Aattam”.

Performance Method

Oyil Kummi is performed in order to bring prosperity in the agriculture, lessen the blights and bring the rains. The theme of the Oyil Kummi songs include the accomplishment of dance with perfection, state salutations, healing of diseases, description of the car festival, execution of rituals, praising Mulaippari as Kannathal (folk deity), about business events, wealth prosperity with crops growth, note on relationship and reference to the village.

In this art, there is also a practice of selecting only the part of the Harishchandra story in which Lokidasan dies after the snake bite, and singing it in their own way.

In Oyil Kummi dance too, they dance with Salangai (a musical anklet) tied to their ankles similar to Oyil Attam. Oyil Kummi also involves hammering the palms with a cloth in the hand. There is no training for the Oyil Kummi performed ritually. None of performers wear makeup when they dance.

At the end of standing and dancing in a circle, there will be a sitting pattern play. Finally, the dancers will come in a straight line pattern. Annavi (the head) coaches the team only for this straight line pattern.

In villages near to places where there is a lot of Oyil Attam, Oyil Kummi dancers wear trousers and banyans, and dance with balloons tied around their ribbon headbands. This practice can be considered as the influence of Oyil Attam. Nowadays, performers wear metal anklets and dance.

Musical Instruments

In this event, they use anyone of the musical instruments such as Paanaithalam (type of percussion instrument of pot closed with cow leather), Thorpaanaithalaam and Singhi (Cymbal).

Play Locations

Both Oyil Attam and Oyil Kummi take place at a specified common area in the village which is sprinkled with cow dung water, or at an adjacent area. This area will be the playing field of this art.

Performing Community

In this art, people belonging to the intermediate castes like Idaiyar and Kallar participate. This art is mostly performed by men. In some places, women alone stand and perform this dance.

Reference

• Thamilaga Nattar Nigalthu Kalaigal - A.K. Perumal

Video Links

• Oyil Kummi - Navin Prapancha Nadanakuzhu
• Veeramuthu Oyil Kummi

---

🔏Being Created-en

Please do not write any content below this line. This section is only for editing templates & categories.