Devarattam, the ritualistic and social dance performed in Arumbuhalnagar.

Devarattam performed in Arumbuhalnagar

Devarattam, the ritualistic and social dance, Devarattam of the Kambala Nayakar community was recently performed in Arumbuhalnagar to entertain with ICHEC-2011 team.Devarattam is a pure folk dance still preserved by the descendents of Veerapandiya Kattabomman dynasty at Thottiyapatty of Karur District. In former days Devarattam was performed once a year near the temple and that too restricted to that community alone. Folklore research scholars have found that Devarattam is a combination of ancient 'muntherkuruvai' and 'pintherkuruvai' of the ancient Tamil Kings. It was performed in front of and at the chariot on the victorious return of the King and his army from battle field. Sometimes even the king and his marshalls would dance on the chariot deck. The soldiers and female dancers would form in lines and dance behind the chariot. Today, this dance does not have any songs but only danced to the beat of Urumi Melam, He dances the first step, which others follow. Nowadays Devarattam is performed at weddings and other festive and ritual occasions by Nayakars and the main occupation of Nayakars was hunting. The origin of the dance is also reflected in its main form, which is the tracing of the hunting movements by the human body. Today, the movements also reflect household, agricultural and festive activities, which are a part of the daily lives of the people. These movements have been abstracted and stylized in single units of rhythm used repetitively. The percussion instrument Devadhundubhi beats out the rhythm for Devarattam.-Govin