Unlike classical Indian dances such as bharatanatyam or kathakali, dappankuthu is relatively informal in that it has no structured, repeated steps and dancers do not learn through formal dance classes. It shares its emphasis on percussion with older folk dances of Tamil Nadu, such as kummi and kolattam.
A percussion instrument called parai in Tamil, without the jingles, is often used for dappankuthu or similar dance forms. Unlike normal tambourines, this requires a wooden stick to play. Telugu teenmaar uses daf drums, associated there with Siddi people.[2] The urumee drum is also often used. A customised trumpet (called Nadaswaram locally) is also sometimes employed. The rhythm of the dappankuthu is often signified by a mix of beat patterns layered and flowing into one another. Other percussion instruments may be employed in dappankuthu. A similar instrument called TamaTe in Kannada resembling a Ganesh tambourine is also used for such dance forms in border areas such as M.M. Hills. The most-used time signature for dappankuthu songs is 6
8.[3][4][5]
Even though any attire can be worn when one dances the dappankuthu, 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 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.
In Male Mahadeshwara hills of Karnataka bordering Tamil Nadu, the music for this dance will be played for money, and the believers can dance for longer time.Particularly in this hill, there is a saying that god feels happy if his believers dance for him.
The genre has been a staple of Tamil cinema, with the composer Ilaiyaraaja credited with popularising kuthu and other folk music in 70s cinema scores. Early on, the composers incorporated kuthu rhythms (and instruments) as a brief element to otherwise "classical" songs. Cinema is also responsible for incorporating singing into the instrumental genre of dappankuthu, with the trend flourishing in 2000s and giving birth to the modern kuthu pop.[2]
Kuthu has come a long way being combined with street styles and incorporated with hip hop culture, most noticeably when infused in the songs "Boyz" and "Bird Flu" by M.I.A. on her 2007 album Kala.[6] Now we see many Indian choreographers all over the world who combine Kuthu with street styles who are gaining global attention.[citation needed]
LinkedIn and 3rd parties use essential and non-essential cookies to provide, secure, analyze and improve our Services, and to show you relevant ads (including professional and job ads) on and off LinkedIn. Learn more in our Cookie Policy.
Kuthu is a dance style that reflects intense passion and energy. It allows dancers to express themselves freely. As the proud founder of 'Kuthu Crew', I will share how my vision has grown into a family of over 35 performers who grace the stage together.
Kuthu is more than just a dance genre; it's an emotion. We are a team; we consider ourselves a family. Our rehearsal space is where performers gather to express their love for dancing. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where every kuthu dancer is valued and appreciated.
The IDays event at Thompson Rivers University was from March 8 to 10. The last day of the event is a celebration of diverse cultures from all over the world. It features fashion shows, dance performances, and singing by students and community members. After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, IDays returned bigger and better than before! As a dancer and a student in my last semester at Thompson Rivers University, IDays was the perfect way to conclude my university experience, my grand exit!
There was a great deal of excitement on campus about performing at IDAYS, so I came up with the idea of starting a dance crew. I posted an Instagram story to gauge interest from potential performers. I was unsure if anyone would respond. Surprisingly, the response was overwhelming, with over 70 people expressing interest. As people responded, I added them to my Excel sheet and invited everyone to a group meeting to explain how we would proceed. Our first group meeting was to finalise performers, discuss rehearsal dates and clarify any queries.
In January, I created a vision board for IDAYS and planned the theme, costumes, marketing, and communication materials for Kuthu Crew. I am grateful to Prady Photography for creating the music track for our first big performance, and I thank Ruchika Shetty for coordinating it.
We began our rehearsals with easy warm-up exercises, playing tag, and freestyling to Bollywood music. Our team consisted of 33 performers and two photographers. We started rehearsing during the first week of February. We rehearsed for five Sundays in a row, practising for four hours each time, to perfect a lively seven-minute performance.
At the last rehearsal, there were a lot of emotions in the air. I handed out handwritten cards, and we all shared our thoughts on what Kuthu Crew meant. The dancers expressed how gathering every Sunday to rehearse had positively impacted their lives. They shared how they looked forward to each Sunday, knowing they could dance their heart out. For some, it was a lifeline; for others, it was the medicine of relief, an escape from chaos. They also spoke about the friendships they formed during rehearsals and expressed a desire to continue the group. We shed tears, shared laughs, and danced a lot! All the love humbled me. At this time, I realised what started as a dance group had become a family.
I was grateful to have known such amazing people who have beautifully impacted and enriched my life. Witnessing the growth of each Kuthu dancer on the day of technical rehearsal filled me with immense pride. I saw our hard work come to life and thanked everyone for upholding our motto, 'commitment to art, commitment to the team,' and for having faith in me.
c80f0f1006