Oyil Kummi
இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: ஒயில் கும்மி
Oyil Kummi is a type of Kummi (a type of group dance) 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 accomplishing perfect dance, state salutations, healing of diseases, description of the car festival, execution of rituals, praising Mulaippari as Kannathal (folk deity), business events, prospering wealth with crops growth, note on relationship and reference to the village.
In this art, there is a practice of selecting only part of the Harishchandra story which portrays the episode of Lokidasan death due to snake bite, and singing it in their own way.
They dance with Salangai (a musical anklet) tied to their ankles in Oyil Kummi also, 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 lot of Oyil Attam, Oyil Kummi dancers wear trousers and banyans, and dance with balloons tied around their ribbon headbands. This practice can be attributed to 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 (percussion instrument of pot closed with cow leather), Thorpaanaithalaam and Singhi (Cymbal).
Performing Locations
Both Oyil Attam and Oyil Kummi take place at a specified common area in the village or at an adjacent area, which is sprinkled with cow dung water. 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
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