Gummankuthu

Gummankuthu is a traditional dance which is found most common in the southern parts of India especially Tamil nadu.

This is a non-classical form of dancing much popular in tamil nadu, performed during the ceremonies of the dead.

The music for this kind of dance is predominantly percussion instruments. They are called the Thaarai and the Thappatai. This form of dance bears a very close resemblance to Dappaankuthu. And is interchangeably used or at times used one next to the other as a phrase.

Gummankuthu does not require any special costumes and is danced with any convenient costume. A typical dancer of this form of dance wears a Lungi ( a long piece of cloth wrapped around the hip by men) and is folded in to two, in such a way that the inner wear (colloquially called as the patta patti andrawer ) is also seen beneath the Lungi.

The dancers invariably characterise their dance with rapid movements of their hands and legs simultaneously but to the opposite direction. It is always considered a wise move to get drunk before this form of dance is performed for this dance form involves such heavy moves and the dancer might feel the fatigue, if he/she does not get drunk. The dancers also animate their facial features according to the expressions of the dance partner.

One of the most commonly seen mode of encouragement for Gummankuthu is by Whistling loud.

This form of dance is still in existence and is much popular among the common and the down trodden class of people.