In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (natya)

Kuṟavai-kūttu or simply Kuṟavai refers to a kind of dance that was practised in ancient Tamil society.—Caṅkam (Saṅgam) literature brings out the details regarding the land, the area, the dressing of kuṟavai-kūttu (a dance form danced in a circle by the women of the hill tracts). It enables the readers to know the reason for this dance form, the way it was performed, the dancers, and the music used for it.

The Saṅgam (Caṅkam) literature is aptly regarded as the crown of Tamil literature. The ancient works, Pattupāṭṭu (a collection of ten ancient Tamil poems) and Eṭṭutokai (the eight anthologies of the Caṅkam period) give details about the art of dance in the Caṅkam period [mentioned, for example, Kuṟavai-kūttu].

The seventeenth canto of Ācciyar-Kuṟavai (a chapter of the Cilappatikāram) speaks of the kuṟavai-kūttu (a dance performed in a circle prevalent among the woman of hill tracts). Seven or nine girls, holding hands, standing in a circle, dance kuṟavai-kūttu on themes of bravery and love. Seven girls, who stood like this, garlanded Kannan with the sacred tulasi garland. They danced without deviating from the rules and regulations mentioned in the literature of kūttu. Madari, an elderly woman in the group, exclaimed ai in such a way that Tirumal (Viṣṇu) did not look at Tirumakal (Lakṣmi) who resides in his chest, because of Nappinnai (a woman in the dancing group) who has worn bangles in her hands. They danced kuṟavai standing evenly and then holding hands like a crab and singing mullaippan. This kūttu starts from Māyavan’s talents in playing the flute and ends in praise of their Pandya king. This belongs to sāttvati (conception of the mind) vṛtti (style).

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

Languages of India and abroad

Tamil dictionary

Source: DDSA: University of Madras: Tamil Lexicon

Kuravaikkūttu (குரவைக்கூத்து) [kuravai-kūttu] noun < குரவை [kuravai] +. See குரவை [kuravai], 1. (சிலப்பதிகாரம் அரும்பதவுரை [silappathigaram arumbathavurai] 3, 12, உரை. [urai.])

context information

Tamil is an ancient language of India from the Dravidian family spoken by roughly 250 million people mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Kuravai, Kuttu.

Full-text: Valli, Pattumatai, Taluu, Ettuthogai, Pattupattu, Sangam.

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