Oyilattam

Oyilattam (Tamil: ஒயிலாட்டம்; meaning: dance of grace) is a folk dance with origins in the Madurai region of Tamil Nadu.^[1] The dance has its origins in southern Tamil Nadu and is primarily performed in Madurai district, Tirunelveli district and Tiruchirapalli district.^[2] It was traditionally a dance where a few men would stand in a row and perform rhythmic steps to the musical accompaniment, with the number of dancers increasing; over the past ten years women have also started performing this dance. Typically, the musical accompaniment is the Thavil and the performers have coloured handkerchiefs tied to their fingers^[3] and wear ankle bells. Oyilattam is one of the folk arts identified for mainstreaming by the Tamil University.^[4] Mainly Oyilattam is performed at village festivals. It is basically describing the great epics like ramayana, mahabaratha and also lord muruga's history.

References

1. ^ "Folk dances". Seminar: the monthly symposium (Romeshraj Trust): 35. 1993. 
2. ^ "Oyilattam". Govt of Tamil Nadu, South Zone Cultural Centre. http://www.szcc.tn.nic.in/states/taminadu/folk/oyilattam.html. Retrieved 2009-08-03. 
3. ^ "In tradition's footsteps". Chennai, India: The Hindu. October 29, 2003. http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/10/29/stories/2003102900640100.htm. Retrieved 2009-08-03. 
4. ^ Kumar, B Aravind (July 27, 2009). "Academics find blueprint to revive Tamil folk arts". The Times of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-4823862,prtpage-1.cms. Retrieved 2009-08-03.