Dappan koothu

Dappan koothu (Tapanguchi)
Stylistic origins	Ancient Tamil music, Tamil folk dances
Cultural origins	200 BCE - 200 CE Ancient Tamil country
Typical instruments	Urumee - Tharrai Thappatai drum - tambourine - Trumpet - Vocal - Whistling
Mainstream popularity	Large mid to late -1900s and current in Chennai, Tamil Nadu - Kerala - Andhra Pradesh - Jaffna, North East Ceylon
Regional scenes
Kummi, Kolattam

Dappan Koothu (Tamil: டப்பாங்கூத்து) is a folk dance and music genre with an emphasis on percussion performed in Tamil Nadu, India.^[1] It has become one of several popular genres employed in film music: ^[2] Tamil cinema.^[3]

Unlike classical Indian dances such as bharatnatyam or kathakali, koothu is relatively informal in that it has no structured, repeated steps and dancers do not learn through formal dance classes. It shares its emphasis on percussion with older folk dances of Tamil Nadu, such as kummi and kolattam.

Types of Koothu^{[citation needed]}

A form of the dappaankuthu being performed

Hari Dappankoothu^{[citation needed]}: This type of dance was introduced by Harikrishnan Rangothaman from Chennai Dappankoothu^{[citation needed]}: It is usually performed with a straight back with lungi in their hands and with the head held high. Performed when there is a victory, when a great man dies, or to depict the greatness of a person who will never bow.

Goon Dappankoothu or Hunch Dappankoothu^{[citation needed]}: Usually performed with the back hunched, the head held low and the lungi tied to the thighs. Performed when there is a defeat, an old lady dies, or to show submission. Experts include Rajesh Kumar and Vijay.

Bigil Dappankoothu^{[citation needed]} : Usually performed by two dancers in unison by jumping on their sides and whistling with two fingers in their mouth (known as Bigil). Performed to show enjoyment.

Thigil Dappankoothu^{[citation needed]}: Usually performed with head looking nowhere and then dropping the lungi down and the legs going sideways. Performed in the middle of a dance to make a fast getaway or when police/leader arrives.

Sorugu Dapankoothu^{[citation needed]}: Usually performed crouched with the lungi on the mouth and hands going back and forth and jumping inside. Performed as an act of supremacy.

Tiger Dappankoothu^{[citation needed]} Usually performed by the person who everybody accepts as the Vathiyar (Teacher - Excellent in kusthi and Silambam) of the area. The attire for this dance requires a tiger mask and tiger stripes all over the body, usually with yellow and black paint. This depicts that his strength matches that of a tiger. The tongue sticking out like a tiger is a significant expression of the dance. Most famous cinematic representation is by Kamal Hassan in Apoorva Sagodharargal.

Theekuchi Dapankoothu^{[citation needed]}: Usually normal dappankuthu performed with a small matchstick held between the teeth.

Musical instruments

A percussion instrument called the Tharai thappattai drum, resembling a tambourine without the jingles, is often used for Dappaankuthu. Unlike normal tambourines, this requires a wooden to play. The urumee drum is also often used. A customised trumpet is also sometimes employed. The rhythm of the Dappan koothu (the "Tharai Thappattai" sound) is often signified by a mix of beat patterns layered and flowing into one another. Other percussion instruments may be employed in Dappan koothu.

This instrument can be heard being played in houses where death has occurred to reduce or to suppress the sound of crying or to inform others about a death in Tamil villages. The particular beat employed is called "Saavu Adi". It may also be used to express joy. Mostly, this dance form is pretty much accompanied by "Gaana Songs"- A typical song genre that goes along with this dance type. Like in Local Chennai they say, "Like Liquor and Pickle, DappanKuthu and Gaana go together".

Outfit and embellishments

Even though any attire can be worn when one dances the Dappaankuthu, a lungi (colourful cloth wrapped around the waist) is commonly worn and most preferable, with the bottom raised and folded upwards over the knees in the middle. Ideally, it should be worn over pattapatti (lined trousers). The shirt worn would have only two or three buttons in place, while the chest portion is left wide open and at the lower part of the shirt is knotted (using the two portions of the shirt). It is also common to tie a handkerchief or bandana around one's forehead and/or wrist.

Loud clapping and whistling by spectators often accompanies the Dappaankuthu dance. Spectators are also known to set off firecrackers called locally as "Pattaasu" on the ground during the performance.

Facial expressions are employed for effect by the dancers. For example, the tongue, folded over and held in position with the front teeth, is brought out at regular intervals.

In Male Mahadeshwara hill, the music for this dance will be played for money, and the believers can dance for longer time. Particularly in this hill, there is a saying that god feels happy if his believers dance for him.

The dance is performed during funerals and some dramas.

In popular culture

• The genre has been used in several films of Tamil cinema, and was noticeably used in songs "Boyz" and "Bird Flu" by M.I.A. on her 2007 album Kala.^[4]

List of Dappankuttu songs

• Aathichoodi, Jimbalakka, Bambara Kannaley, Dai Namma kaatula (Pattiyal), Madura veeranthane (Dhool)
• Otha Sollala (Aadukalam) (Dinesh Kumar (choreographer), National Award Winner for Best Choreography)

Jurys' Comments : This National Award for Best Choreography is awarded to Dinesh Kumar "For the Native Charm and Innovative Design in the Art of Choreography that creates an Effervescent Energy in the Spectator".

• Vandanam Ayya Vandam (Eesan) (Dinesh, Choreographer)
• Thirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatasa.. (Prabhu Deva, Choreographer)

References

1. ^ "Twirl and swirl". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 2005-05-11. http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/05/11/stories/2005051100210400.htm. 
2. ^ The Hindu Business Line : Versatility is his forte
3. ^ Editorial - Tyagaraja Aradhana 2005
4. ^ Ramesh, Prithvi (2008-07-05). "The Hindu : Metro Plus Hyderabad - My Five". The Hindu (Chennai, India). http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/07/05/stories/2008070553430500.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-24. 

External links

• A sample of the Dappankoothu Dance
• A sample of the Dappankoothu Beat