page_title: Tamil culture
section_title: Performing arts
hierarchical_section_title: Tamil culture / Performing arts
caption_attribution_description: English: Bharata Natyam Performance Français&#160;: Danseuse de bharata natyam.
context_page_description: Tamil culture is the culture of the Tamil people. Tamil culture is rooted in the arts and ways of life of Tamils in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and across the globe. Tamil culture is expressed in language, literature, music, dance, theatre, folk arts, martial arts, painting, sculpture, architecture, sports, media, comedy, cuisine, costumes, celebrations, philosophy, religions, traditions, rituals, organizations, science, and technology.
context_section_description: Famous Tamil dance styles are
  Bharatanatyam (Tamil classical dance)
  Sadirattam (Tamil classical dance- erotic music and movements similar to mohiniattam)
  Karakattam (Tamil ancient folk dance)
  Koothu (A folk and street dance)
  Kaliyal (A folk dance using sticks and intricate movements)
  Devarattam (A dance of warriors)
  Kai-silambam (A folk dance holding silambam in hand)
  Paraiattam (A folk drums and dance)
  Kavadiattam (dedicated to the Tamil God Murugan)
  Kummiyattam (female folk dance)
  Bommalattam (Puppet dance)
  Puliyattam (Tiger dance)
  Mayilattam (Peacock dance)
  Paampu attam (snake dance)
  Oyilattam (Dance of Grace)
  Poikkaal Kuthirai Aattam (False legged horses dance)
  Contemporary dance forms such as Bharatanatyam have recent origins but are based older temple dance forms known as Catir Kacceri as practised by courtesans and a class of women known as Devadasis
  One of the Tamil folk dances is karakattam. In its religious form, the dance is performed in front of an image of the goddess Mariamma. The kuravanci is a type of dance-drama, performed by four to eight women. The drama is opened by a woman playing the part of a female soothsayer of the kurava tribe(people of hills and mountains), who tells the story of a lady pining for her lover. The therukoothu, literally meaning "street play", is a form of village theater or folk opera. It is traditionally performed in village squares, with no sets and very simple props. The performances involve songs and dances, and the stories can be either religious or secular. The performances are not formal, and performers often interact with the audience, mocking them, or involving them in the dialogue. Therukkūthu has, in recent times, been very successfully adapted to convey social messages, such as abstinence and anti-caste criticism, as well as information about legal rights, and has spread to other parts of India. Tamil Nadu also has a well developed stage theatre tradition, which has been influenced by western theatre. A number of theatrical companies exist, with repertoires including absurdist, realist, and humorous plays.
caption: Bharatanatyam dancer
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