What are the major folk arts and performance traditions of Tamil Nadu?

Major Tamil Nadu folk arts: (1) Karagattam: Balance performance with pots on head; performed at temples and festivals; two types — Aatta Karagam (devotional, gentle) and Sakthi Karagam (vigorous, devotional to Mariamman); Thanjavur and Nagapattinam belt prominent; (2) Therukoothu/Koothu: Street theatre; overnight performances of episodes from Mahabharata/Ramayana; elaborate costumes; Villupuram and northern TN districts; (3) Kolattam: Stick dance — pairs of performers tap decorated sticks rhythmically; Pongal and festival celebrations; women traditionally perform; (4) Oyilattam: Group folk dance with colourful accessories; vigorous movements; Muslim community origin but now widespread; Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli; (5) Silambam: Ancient Tamil martial art using bamboo staff; Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi; mentioned in Sangam literature; UNESCO consideration; (6) Bommalattam (Tholpavai Koothu): Shadow puppet theatre; Leather puppets; Thanjavur, Tiruchirapalli — Kali temples; overnight performances; (7) Poikkal Kudirai Attam: Dummy horse dance — performer wears artificial horse frame; temple festivals; (8) Kavadi Attam: Kavadi (decorated structure) carrying as penance; Murugan temples especially during Thai Poosam.

What are the important traditional crafts of Tamil Nadu?

Tamil Nadu's traditional crafts: (1) Kancheepuram Silk Sarees: GI tag; woven in Kancheepuram (near Chennai); pure mulberry silk; distinctive zari (gold/silver thread) border; recognised worldwide; sarees can take weeks to weave; (2) Thanjavur Painting: GI tag; traditional painting style from Thanjavur; gold foil, precious/semi-precious stones embedded on painting; deities depicted; Karnataka style but distinctly TN; (3) Thanjavur Tanjore Plate/Craft: Decorated metal plates with embossed designs; presented to dignitaries; (4) Bronze Casting (Swamimalai): Panchaloha (five-metal alloy — gold, silver, copper, brass, iron) bronze idols using lost-wax (cire perdue) process; Swamimalai (near Kumbakonam) craftsmen are sthapathis (Vishwakarma community); most famous for Nataraja idol; GI tag; (5) Ezhupattai (Palm Leaf Manuscripts): Traditional palm leaf writing; Saraswathi Mahal Library (Thanjavur) preserves thousands; (6) Kondapalli Toys: (Andhra but similar TN craft) — Wooden toys; Kondapalli style; (7) Kolam: Daily floor art using rice flour; complex geometric patterns; women's tradition; UNESCO intangible heritage consideration; (8) Tholpavai Koothu leather work: Leather puppet making in Thanjavur.

What is Silambam and what is its significance in Tamil culture?

Silambam: Ancient Tamil martial art using a long bamboo staff (silambam staff — 1.68 metres). Origins: Mentioned in Sangam-era literature; the Silappatikaram references Silambam; practised for over 2,000 years. Features: (1) Uses a flexible bamboo staff; (2) Footwork (kaaladi) is distinctive — complex foot movements are foundation; (3) Can include sword, shield, double-stick, and empty-hand variants; (4) Influenced Malay Silat and other Southeast Asian martial arts. Geography: Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Madurai districts — traditional strongholds. Gurukul tradition: Transmitted guru to disciple; Silambam Nilaikkal (training centres). Recognition: (1) Indian government promoting for Olympics; (2) Union government recognised as indigenous sport; (3) UNESCO intangible heritage nomination in progress; (4) National Sports Day events include Silambam. Tamil Nadu government declared Silambam as the state sport of Tamil Nadu. Jallikattu connection: Both Silambam and Jallikattu reflect ancient Tamil martial/sport traditions; both faced bans and legal battles; both represent Tamil cultural identity.

Tamil Nadu Folk Arts, Tribal Communities & Culture — TNPSC Group 1 Notes

Tamil Nadu Tribal Communities

Overview

Indicator	Value
Scheduled Tribes in TN	36 communities
ST population (2011)	7.94 lakh
% of TN population	1.1%
Major concentration	Nilgiri hills, Western Ghats, Shevaroy Hills, Eastern Ghats
Largest tribe	Irula
Critically endangered	Toda (population ~1,500)

1. Toda

Parameter	Details
Location	Nilgiri Plateau (Ooty area)
Population	~1,500 (critically endangered)
Livelihood	Pastoral — keeping buffalo (sacred to them); dairy rituals
Habitation	Circular stone/bamboo huts (Toda Mund) — barrel-shaped
Religion	Buffalo-centred; temples are dairy temples (ti)
Craft	Toda embroidery — geometric red and black patterns on white cloth; distinctive style
Social structure	Polyandry (one woman married to several brothers) practised traditionally
Recognition	UNESCO listed Toda embroidery as intangible cultural heritage; Indian Geographical Indication

Cultural significance: Todas are one of India's most studied tribal groups by anthropologists (W.H.R. Rivers — "The Todas", 1906). Their unique dairy rituals, tongue language, and isolated genetic profile make them extraordinary.

2. Irula

Parameter	Details
Location	Nilgiris foothills, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Chengalpattu, Tiruvannamalai
Population	~2 lakh (largest tribe in TN)
Livelihood	Snake catching, forest produce, agriculture
Famous for	Irula Cooperative Society (Vadanemmeli, near Chennai) — supply live snakes to produce antivenom; India's antivenom production depends heavily on Irula snake catchers
Traditional knowledge	Expert knowledge of snake behaviour, jungle medicine, forest ecology
Language	Irula language (Dravidian family)

National importance: Irula snake catchers are essential to India's antivenom production. Without Irula expertise in catching Russell's Viper, Cobra, Krait, and Saw-scaled Viper, antivenom production would collapse.

3. Kota

Parameter	Details
Location	Nilgiri hills — 7 traditional Kota settlements (kokal)
Population	~2,000
Livelihood	Traditional artisans — iron tools, pottery, baskets, cane work
Special role	Musicians in ceremonies of Toda and Badaga communities — hereditary musicians; play instruments at funerals, festivals
Instruments	Kol (oboe), Tabattai (drum), Takar (cymbal)

4. Kurumba

Parameter	Details
Location	Nilgiris, Gudalur area
Subgroups	Alu Kurumba, Betta Kurumba, Jennu Kurumba, Mullu Kurumba
Livelihood	Honey collection, forest gathering, shifting cultivation
Jennu Kurumba	Famous for honey collection from cliff hives
Traditional knowledge	Herbal medicine; forest knowledge

5. Kattunayakan

Parameter	Details
Location	Nilgiri hills and eastern slopes; also in Kerala
Also known as	Jungle Nayaka; "masters of the forest"
Livelihood	Hunter-gatherers; forest produce
Honey collection	Expert at cliff honey collection — scale steep rock faces
UNESCO	Their traditional forest knowledge recognised

6. Malayali

Parameter	Details
Location	Shevaroy Hills (Salem, Dharmapuri, Villupuram)
Population	One of TN's largest tribal groups (~2.5 lakh)
Livelihood	Hill cultivation, tapioca, plantation labour
Culture	Yercaud and Shevaroy Hills region; famous Kolli Hills tribe

7. Paniyan

Parameter	Details
Location	Nilgiris, Gudalur (TN) and Kerala
Livelihood	Agricultural labourers; plantation workers
Language	Paniya (Dravidian)
History	Historically exploited as bonded labourers; land rights issues

Tribal Welfare — Tamil Nadu

Programme	Details
Scheduled Tribes Sub-Plan (TSP)	Earmarking of tribal development funds proportionate to ST population
TRTRI	Tamil Nadu Tribal Research and Training Institute, Udhagamandalam — research on tribal communities
Residential Schools	Ashram schools, Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for ST children
Forest Rights Act 2006	TN implementation — recognising individual and community forest rights; still contested in Nilgiris
Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve	5,520 sq km; home to Toda, Irula, Kota, Kurumba, Kattunayakan; protects both wildlife and tribal culture

Tamil Nadu Folk Arts

1. Karagattam (Karagam)

Parameter	Details
Type	Balancing act + dance
Description	Performer balances decorated pots (sometimes flowers, fruits) on head while dancing
Two types	Aatta Karagam (devotional — mild, graceful); Sakthi Karagam (vigorous — devotional to Mariamman)
Music	Nadaswaram + Thavil
Region	Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruchirapalli districts
Occasion	Temple festivals, village fairs, Pongal
Performers	Traditionally marginalised communities; now widespread

2. Therukoothu (Street Theatre)

Parameter	Details
Type	Traditional street theatre / folk drama
Duration	Overnight performances (starts evening; ends at dawn)
Content	Episodes from Mahabharata (Draupadi's disrobing, Kurukshetra), Ramayana, local legends
Costumes	Elaborate; painted faces; tall headdresses (kireetam)
Characters	Villagers play both heroes and villains; clown character (vidushaka) integral
Region	Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore — northern TN particularly; also widespread
Koothu Mandapam	Traditional Draupadi Amman temples have koothu performances
Also known as	Therukkoothu, Koothu

3. Kolattam (Stick Dance)

Parameter	Details
Type	Group dance with sticks
Description	Pairs of women hold decorated bamboo sticks; tap them rhythmically in intricate patterns
Occasion	Pongal, Navaratri, temple festivals, weddings
Formations	Complex geometric patterns as group moves
Music	Nadaswaram, folk songs
Region	Pan-Tamil Nadu; especially rural areas
Related	Kummi (clapping dance without sticks — similar group women's dance)

4. Oyilattam

Parameter	Details
Type	Vigorous group folk dance
Description	Men perform in colourful costumes; fast-paced with jumping, spinning movements; colourful accessories (fans, peacock feathers)
Origin	Muslim community (Mappila) tradition; now performed widely
Region	Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi — southern TN
Music	Naiyandi melam (percussion-heavy folk music)
Occasion	Festivals, competitions

5. Bommalattam (Tholpavai Koothu / Shadow Puppetry)

Parameter	Details
Type	Shadow puppet theatre + string puppet theatre
Two forms	Tholpavai Koothu (shadow puppetry — leather puppets); Bommalattam (string puppet theatre)
Material	Translucent leather (deer/goat skin) for shadows; wooden puppets for string
Content	Ramayana (especially Tholpavai Koothu at Kali temples)
Duration	21-night cycles at certain temples (Kali Koothu season)
Region	Thanjavur, Trichy, Dindigul districts
Performers	Hereditary puppeteer families (Tholubommalata Velu — famous puppeteer)
UNESCO	Traditional shadow puppetry under consideration for intangible heritage

6. Poikkal Kudirai Attam (Dummy Horse Dance)

Parameter	Details
Type	Folk dance with artificial horse
Description	Performer wears frame of artificial horse (made of bamboo/cloth) around waist; appears to be riding; performs acrobatic movements
Region	Pan-TN; especially Coimbatore, Madurai
Occasion	Temple festivals (Murugan, Aiyanar temples)
Music	Nadaswaram; Naiyandi melam

7. Kavadi Attam

Parameter	Details
Type	Ritual dance with Kavadi (decorated wooden structure)
Description	Devotees carry Kavadi (wooden arch with peacock feathers, flowers, pots of milk) as penance to Lord Murugan
Trance state	Devotees enter trance (vel) during kavadi carrying; body piercing
Occasion	Thai Poosam (January–February) — Murugan temples especially Palani and Tiruchendur
Region	Tamil Nadu, also Malaysia (Batu Caves), Singapore (mass kavadi procession)
Palani Kavadi	Famous — Dandayuthapani Swami temple; thousands of devotees annually

8. Silambam (Martial Art)

Parameter	Details
Type	Traditional Tamil martial art — bamboo staff
Staff	1.68 metres long; flexible bamboo
Foundation	Complex footwork (kaaladi) — 12 basic foot patterns
Origins	Sangam period (2,000+ years); mentioned in Silappatikaram; Agattiyam references
Variants	Single staff; double staff; sword and shield; knife; empty-hand (Varma Adi — pressure point fighting)
Region	Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Madurai — traditional strongholds
Influence	Influenced Malay Silat; Filipino Arnis/Eskrima possibly; spread via Tamil traders
Status	Tamil Nadu state sport; under UNESCO consideration; promoted for Olympics

9. Varma Adi / Varmakalai

Parameter	Details
Type	Pressure-point martial art; healing art
Concept	108 vital points (varmam) in human body; striking them = harm/death; stimulating = healing
Connection	Siddha medicine; Ayurvedic tradition
Practitioners	Traditional Asan (teachers); Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari districts
Status	Recognised by Government of India; traditional knowledge; DRDO studying applications

10. Kummi

Group clapping dance — women form circles; clap rhythmically; move in patterns
No instruments needed — just clapping and singing
Pongal, harvest festivals, weddings
Simple but deeply traditional

Traditional Crafts of Tamil Nadu

1. Kancheepuram Silk Sarees

Parameter	Details
GI Tag	Yes — Geographical Indication
Material	Pure mulberry silk threads; genuine gold/silver zari
Weave	Korvai technique — warp interlocking joins border to body
Time to make	2 days to several weeks depending on complexity
Price range	₹2,000 to several lakhs
Weavers	Devangar community predominantly; also Mudaliar community
Districts	Kancheepuram + surrounding Chengalpattu area
Government support	Co-optex (Tamil Nadu Cooperative Textiles) markets

2. Thanjavur Painting

Parameter	Details
GI Tag	Yes
Style	Classical South Indian tradition; gold foil application; embedded semi-precious stones/glass
Subjects	Hindu deities — especially Nataraja, Krishna, Balakrishna, Lakshmi
Technique	Gesso work (chalk and glue paste 3D relief) → gold foil → colours → stones
Base	Cloth pasted on wooden board
Origin	Patronised by Tanjore Maratha kings (18th–19th century)
Districts	Thanjavur; also Kumbakonam

3. Swamimalai Bronze Casting

Parameter	Details
GI Tag	Yes
Location	Swamimalai, near Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district
Alloy	Panchaloha — five metals: copper (main), zinc, lead, gold, silver
Technique	Lost-wax (Cire perdue/Madhuchchhishta Vidhana) — wax model → clay mould → molten bronze poured → clay broken → idol polished
Famous product	Nataraja (Shiva as cosmic dancer) idol — Chola period Natarajas are world treasures
Craftsmen	Vishwakarma community (Stapathis) — hereditary
World recognition	Chola bronze Nataraja at British Museum, Met Museum, Musée Guimet (Paris)

4. Tiruppur / Erode Handloom

Tiruppur: Knitwear capital; hosiery; 50% of India's knitwear exports
Erode: Handloom sarees; Chettiar community weavers; Bhavani tapestry
Karur: Textile home furnishings (bed covers, table cloths) — exported worldwide
Coimbatore: Power loom; textile machinery

5. Kolam (Floor Art)

Parameter	Details
Type	Daily ritual floor drawing at doorsteps
Material	Rice flour (traditional); coloured powders; stone powder
When	Daily at dawn; elaborate during festivals (Karthigai, Pongal, Margazhi month)
Significance	Invites Goddess Lakshmi; brings prosperity; marks sacred space
Patterns	Geometric patterns — dots (pulli) connected by lines; knotted patterns; floral
Tamil Nadu uniqueness	Pulli Kolam (dot-based) is distinctively Tamil; other states have different styles
UNESCO	Under consideration for Intangible Cultural Heritage

6. Chettinad Crafts

Attangudi Tiles: Handmade cement tiles; geometric patterns; bright colours; used in Chettinad mansions; GI tag consideration.

Chettinad Cuisine: Though not a craft, Chettinad food (pepper crab, mutton kola urundai, kavunarisi) is a cultural heritage element.

Tamil Nadu Festivals

Festival	Month	Significance
Pongal	Thai (Jan–Feb)	Harvest festival; 4-day celebration; most important TN festival
Karthigai Deepam	Karthigai (Nov–Dec)	Festival of lights; lamps lit; Tiruvannamalai mountain beacon
Tamil New Year (Puthandu)	Chithirai (Apr)	April 14; new year; first day of Tamil calendar
Thai Poosam	Thai Poosam (Jan–Feb)	Murugan festival; Kavadi carrying; Palani, Tiruchendur
Aadi Perukku	Aadi (Jul–Aug)	River worship; Cauvery; women offer to water bodies
Navarathri	Purattasi (Sep–Oct)	9 nights; Kolu (doll display); Kulasai Mutharamman temple festival
Saraswathi Puja	Navarathri 9th day	Tools/books worshipped; students worship
Thiruvizha	Various	Temple car festivals (Ther); Kapaleeshwarar (Chennai), Brihadeeswarar (Thanjavur)

Pongal — Tamil Nadu's Harvest Festival

Four days of Pongal: 1. Bhogi Pongal — Discard old things; bonfire; cleaning 2. Thai Pongal — Main day; cook pongal rice in new pot; worship Sun; offer to cattle 3. Maatu Pongal — Cattle worship; decorate cows and bulls 4. Kaanum Pongal — Family outing; siblings' bond; Kanu Pidi (sisters offer to crows)

Jallikattu: Bull-taming sport during Pongal in Madurai, Dindigul, Pudukkottai. Legal battle — SC banned (2014), protests by youth across TN (January 2017), President's Ordinance passed, Tamil Nadu (Regulation of Jallikattu) Act 2017 — allowed under state law.

Intangible Cultural Heritage — Tamil Nadu

Heritage	Status
Kancheepuram Silk	GI Tag; international recognition
Thanjavur Painting	GI Tag
Swamimalai Bronze	GI Tag
Kolam	UNESCO consideration
Therukoothu	UNESCO consideration
Silambam	UNESCO consideration; Tamil Nadu state sport
Tholpavai Koothu	UNESCO consideration
Toda Embroidery	UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

GI Tags from Tamil Nadu (Major)

Product	District
Kancheepuram Silk	Kancheepuram
Thanjavur Painting	Thanjavur
Swamimalai Bronze	Thanjavur
Thanjavur Veena	Thanjavur
Salem Fabric	Salem
Bhavani Jamakkalam (carpet)	Erode
Manapparai Murukku	Trichy
Tiruchirappalli Rock Candy	Trichy
Coimbatore Wet Grinder	Coimbatore
Palani Panchamirtham	Dindigul
Kangeyam Cattle	Tiruppur

Classical Traditions (TN-Specific)

Carnatic Music — Tamil Connection

Carnatic Trinity (three pillars): All three born in Tiruvarur (Thanjavur district):
Tyagaraja (1767–1847) — primarily composed in Telugu; also Tamil/Sanskrit
Muthuswami Dikshitar (1775–1835) — composed in Sanskrit; manodharma master
Syama Sastri (1762–1827) — composed in Telugu and Sanskrit
Tamil Carnatic composers: Papanasam Sivan (Tamil compositions); Subramanya Bharati (songs)
Margazhi Music Season (December–January): Chennai hosts world's largest classical music festival; 2,000+ concerts across 100+ sabhas

Bharatanatyam in TN

Originated in Tamil Nadu temples (Devadasi tradition)
Rukmini Devi Arundale — revived Bharatanatyam from Devadasi context; founded Kalakshetra Foundation (Chennai, 1936) — premier institution
Kalakshetra, Chennai: UNESCO Intangible Heritage institution; trains thousands
One of 8 classical dance forms; deep connection to Tamil temple culture

Board Exam Tips — Folk Arts, Tribes & Culture

TN has 36 Scheduled Tribes; total ~7.94 lakh (1.1% of TN population)
Toda = Nilgiris; ~1,500 population; polyandry; barrel huts; sacred buffalo; UNESCO embroidery
Irula = largest TN tribe; snake catchers; antivenom production; Vadanemmeli Cooperative
Kota = Nilgiris; artisans; hereditary musicians for Toda/Badaga ceremonies
Karagattam = pot balancing dance; Mariamman devotion; Thanjavur belt
Therukoothu = overnight street theatre; Mahabharata episodes; Villupuram/Vellore
Kolattam = stick dance (women); Pongal festivals
Silambam = bamboo staff martial art; 2,000+ years; Tamil Nadu STATE SPORT; UNESCO consideration
Bommalattam = string puppets; Tholpavai Koothu = shadow puppets (leather); Thanjavur
Kavadi Attam = Thai Poosam; Murugan temples; body piercing trance; Palani famous
Kancheepuram Silk = GI tag; Korvai technique; mulberry silk + gold zari
Thanjavur Painting = GI tag; gold foil + semi-precious stones; gesso work
Swamimalai Bronze = Panchaloha; lost-wax (cire perdue) technique; Nataraja idol; GI tag
Kolam = rice flour floor art; Pulli Kolam = TN's distinctive dot-based pattern; UNESCO consideration
Carnatic Trinity = all three born in Tiruvarur (Thanjavur district)
Kalakshetra, Chennai = founded by Rukmini Devi Arundale (1936); Bharatanatyam revival
Jallikattu = bull-taming; Pongal; legal battle; Tamil Nadu Act 2017 allowed it
Pongal = 4 days: Bhogi → Thai Pongal → Maatu Pongal → Kaanum Pongal
Palani Panchamirtham = GI tag; Murugan temple prasadam

Frequently Asked Questions

Tamil Nadu has 36 Scheduled Tribes with a population of about 7.94 lakh (Census 2011) — 1.1% of state population. Major tribal communities: (1) Toda: Nilgiri hills; cattle-herding pastoral community; known for unique barrel-shaped stone huts (Toda munds), embroidery, and dairy rituals; population ~1,500 (critically endangered); UNESCO recognition for traditional culture; (2) Irula: Nilgiris foothills, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Chengalpattu; expert snake catchers — Irula Cooperative Snake Park (Vadanemmeli, Chennai) — supplies antivenom snakes; also collect forest produce; (3) Kota: Nilgiris; traditional artisans — make bamboo and cane items, iron tools, pottery; musicians in tribal ceremonies of Toda and Badaga; (4) Kurumba: Nilgiris; traditionally nomadic; honey collectors, forest dwellers; (5) Paniyan: Nilgiris and Kerala border; agricultural labourers; (6) Kattunayakan: Nilgiris and eastern slopes; hunter-gatherers; known for cliff honey collection; (7) Malayali: Shevaroy Hills (Salem, Dharmapuri); large tribe; (8) Vedda/Veddas: Dharmapuri; one of India's oldest indigenous groups.