They
are unique examples of communities in
isolated existence, still preserving their
life, customs and manners almost untarnished
by the advancing waves of urban civilization.Though
adapted to different dialects and customs,
their artistic expression evidently reflects
the distinct, secluded and primitive social
structure and nature of the people and
it still survives as virile a state as
ever in the tribal hamlets of the hilly
tracts. Each of these aboriginal tribes
has its own distinct dance tradition and
invariably all of them are interwoven
with the life of the people who dance
it, so much so that it seems that some
of their daily tasks are given to rhythmic
pattern. In the background of mystery
shrouded nature, tribal celebrations originate
and the dances work up intoxicating excitement
physical expressions of their joys and
griefs, hopes and fears.
Some times the dancing is extremely simple
and consists of little more than shuffling
of the feet or waving of the hands. At
other times it is swaying of the body
to the clapping of hands or beating of
primitive drums to mark time. Yet another
form shows only the monotonous movement
of the hands and feet. But generally speaking,
a wide range of movement involving all
parts of the body, the head back hips,
arms, fingers and the feet and even facial
muscles are utilized in tribal dances
There
are very complicated tribal dances
as well in which dancing harmonises
gesture, expressing the whole gamut
of sentiment, where rhythm is kept
by swaying the body and intricate
steps executed with adept foot-work.
Usually the dances have a slow beginning,
but gather momentum and work up
to a heavy tempo of the vociferous
climax of the drums, and the ecstacy
of the ever-mounting rhythm of spontaneous
music. Many of these dances are
heroic or martial in character. |
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Some
tribes have songs to accompany their dances.
Either the dancers themselves sing or
the on-lookers sing and thus participate.
Special musical instruments are sometimes
used, but the drum is almost an indispensable
feature. The costumes of the dancers vary
from approximate nudity to full attire
and ornaments which are extremely colourful.
Like
all tribal arts, Kerala's tribal dances
are and spontaneous. It is the most direct
expression of the inner most spirit of
a people and the instinct of rhythm is
an natural and basic as human nature.
Some
of the more known tribal dances of Kerala
are Elelakkaradi, Kadarkali, Kurumbarkali,
Paniyarkali, Edayarkali, Mudiyattam and
Vedarkali.
ELEAKKARADI
This
is highly heroic group-dance in which
almost the whole community of men, women
and children participate. The dance is
very common with the tribals called Irular
of Attappadi in Palakkad district. The
dance brings out the fight of the people
against the wild bears which very often
attack their tribal hamlets.
KAADAR
NRITHAM
Only women partake in this primitive dance
of the Kaadar tribes of the forests of
Kochi area. The performers arrange themselves
in a semicircle. They hold the tip of
their clothes in their hands to the level
of the waist and wave it to various rhythms
of the dance. It is a very simple but
elegant tribal dance in slow steps.
KURUMBAR
NRITHAM
Waynad district had different types of
hill tribes of which the Kurumbar and
the Kattunayakar are the most prominent.
They perform a special type of dance which
is staged in connection with marriages.
KAANIKKAR
NRITHAM
This is a group dance of the Kanikkar
tribes. The dance is performed as a rural
offering. The steps of the dancers perfectly
synchronise with the waving of the hands
and the beating of the drums.
PANIYAR
KALI
Paniyar are another set of tribals inhabiting
the hilly forests of Wayanad district.
Their dance is highly masculine and only
men participate. Here the dancers numbering
about eight or ten stand in a circle with
hands linked together. They move around
with rhythmic flexions of the body.
MAN
KALI
The Ramayana episode in which Sita is
being enhanted by Maricha in the guise
of a golden deer is enacted in graceful
movements.
PARVALLI
KALI
It is mixed dance of the aboriginals of
the dense forest of Travancore area in
which both men and women participate.
They dance holding arms together, or shoulder
to shoulder, linked in a backlock posture.
The dance develops into variety of pleasing
pattern, in which the men and women change
their positions with amazing speed.
KOORAN
KALI
Koorankali is another tribal dance which
is similar to Mankali. Here one man takes
the role of a wild bear with another enacting
the role of a wild bear with another enacting
the role of a hunting dog. The movements
are perfectly timed to the rhythmic beats
of primitive drums. While this is going
on, the large number of onlookers who
form a circle round the two dancers, shout
wild cries of joy with occasional clapping
of hands and jerky dances.
THAVALA
KALI
Thavalakali is a tribal dance in which
a number of participants, usually boys,
jump one above the other in succession,
imitating the leaps of the frog.
EDAYA
NRITHAM
Edaya nritham is the dance of the tribal
shepherds. Both men and women participate.
One of the shepherds sing. This is repeated
in chorus by all the rest. As the singing
is going in, one of them imitates the
special sounds of shepherds driving their
sheep.
MUDIYATTOM
Mudiyattom, also known as Neelilayattom,
is a tribal dance in which only women
partake. The women stand on small wooden
blocks and the dance begins with slow
and simple movements of the body which
culminate in graceful movements of the
head. The uncombed hair of the participants
flow down and swing in rhythmic waves.
NAIKAR
KALI
This is popular among the tribes in Wynad
and Malappuram districts. It is more ritualistic
than entertainment oriented. This is performed
as pooja to family deities and during
marriages.When
the instruments, Thappu and Kuzhal start
playing, the naikars begin their performance.
With jingling anklets round their legs,
they dance round in clock-wise and anti-clockwise
movements to the accompaniment of the
instruments.
GADHIKA
Gadhika is ritual dance performed by Adiya
tribes of Waynad district. The art form
is meant to cure ailments. The performance
is also done as part of a ritual for having
a safe delivery of child. |
