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Dappaankuthu is a type of dance performed on the streets of Tamil Nadu, India. It is commonly performed to relieve emotional stress or in celebration of an event. It is therefore equally likely in both wedding processions and funeral processions. It is traditionally performed to the infectious beats of gaana music.

During funerals, the dance is perceived to pacify a departed soul when the funeral procession is taking place. In this context it is sometimes referred to as the savoo koothu, or literally 'death dance'.

Unlike other classical Indian dances such as the Bharatnatyam or Kathakali, dappaankuthu is informal: it has no structured, repeated steps and dancers do not learn through formal dance classes. With its popularisation in films, daapaankuthu has become fashionable form of casual street dance amongst the urban class in the southern parts of India.

Etymology and Origin

Dappaankuthu is derived from the Tamil words, 'thappu' (or 'adi' ) and 'koothu' , which respectively mean 'beat' or the instrument which creates sound while beating (which is used as a percussion instrument during the performance), and 'dance' in classical Tamil.

This dance originated from an ancient nomadic group called Narikuravars who used metal containers (usually tin-cans) as percussion instruments while singing. Because of its simplicity and the absence of laid-down rules or patterns, it became popular initially with the economically downtrodden people in Tamil Nadu.

Musical Instruments

A percussion instrument called tharai thappattai, resembling a tambourine without the jingles, is used for dappaankuthu. Unlike normal tambourines, this requires a wooden apparatus (or a stick) to play. A customised trumpet is also sometimes employed. The thappu is made up of calf's skin. Before playing this instrument, people normally will make that warm. The reason behind playing this instrument in death houses is to reduce or to suppress the sound of crying or to inform others about the death in the villages of Tamil Nadu.

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 a 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.

It is considered polite or a gesture of admiration to mark time by clapping and whistling loudly when someone else is dancing the dappaankuthu. Spectators are also known to set off firecrackers 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.

External links

• An example of a dappaankuthu dance being performed by youngsters
• A sample of the dappaankuthu music rhythm

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• Articles lacking sources from August 2006
• Dances of India