Tamil Nadu has cultural significance. The southern state of India is known for many traditional art forms. Three of these oldest forms of folk theatre, still played in some parts of Tamil Nadu, are Therukoothu, Terukkuttu, and Bommalattam. Find out more about these riveting performance arts below.
Here are the three famous folk theatre traditions of Tamil Nadu:
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Therukoothu
Therukoothu, known as a street play in Tamil, is a form of ancient theatre. Originally performed by travelling artists in village squares and temple courtyards, It recounts stories using drama, dance, music, and storytelling. The performances usually start around 10 pm and continue until dawn.
Artists dress colourfully in vibrant costumes and makeup. Their playing of drums, cymbals, harmonium, etc., takes us to a different dimension. Everyone is full of energy. Characters come alive through dances and expressions at the full length of the street for everyone to watch and enjoy. Performers bring heroes and villains of Hindu epics, such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata, to life with their exceptional performances.
Therukoothu aims not only to entertain but also to convey important cultural messages. Before televisions or radios, it served as a way for villagers to learn history and values together. However, due to changing times, fewer young people take an interest in it today. Some work hard to preserve this art form for tomorrow.
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Terukkuttu
Terukkuttu, meaning “street folk theatre,” is another long-standing art form of Tamil Nadu. Like Therukoothu, it originated from travelling storytellers who would perform in village spaces for everyone to enjoy. Today, Terukkuttu shows remain lively collaborative productions. Performers called ‘Kuravaiyalars’ take on drama roles alongside musicians, dancers, and a narrator.
Traditional instruments like thavil and mridangam set an energetic rhythm. Actors dress colourfully and use facial expressions to convey emotion to all watching. You would be amazed to know that only male artists were traditionally part of the performance. Therefore, they had to enact the role of female characters, too.
Stories from mythology and religion still form the basis of Terukkuttu tales. Saints and deities from epics perform their enigmatic on-stage adventure to hint at worldly life lessons to the audience. Folk theatre performances also have comments on contemporary social issues; as a result, their performances have a perpetual appeal.
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Bommalattam
You would have marvelled at all the puppet shows earlier, but if one loves the puppets, then the Bommalattam, the art of string puppets, will catch all your breath. This art form includes making puppets of either wood or leather, tied together by strings that are operated using the storytellers and the narrator management.
The performances of the Bommalattam are always a treat to watch as they are supported by live music, which creates an engaging ambience. Puppeteers called the Bommalattam Kalaignar animate the puppets and perform tales of mythology, folklore and sometimes history. Picture these realistically adorned puppets and manoeuvres, the puppeteers skillfully manipulating each joint of them in the grandest of gestures. Bommalattam is not merely entertainment to be watched. It is also a potent tool for instruction. These puppet plays contain long and elaborate stories and a lesson or moral. Some are quite entertaining and amusing and, therefore, suited for children.
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Preserving cultural heritage
As with many other traditional art forms, changes in modern life are putting pressure on the sustainability of theatre performances and theatrical arts like Therukoothu, Terukkuttu, and Bommalattam. However, artists, students, and groups dedicated to the arts help these theatre styles survive.
Workshops and festivals teach and prepare other practitioners, encouraging an empathetic response. Performances in all important functions make these folk arts popular even nationally. Moreover, some people work to document stories and techniques before they disappear. Furthermore, there is a good response from the government and non-government organisations to promote these traditional art forms, including Therukoothu, Terukkuttu, Bommalattam, and many others among the residents.
Hopefully, with help, these traditional art forms can return, entertain, and educate generations of Tamils about their past through colourful and larger-than-life storytelling. Their preservation will help future generations appreciate Tamil Nadu’s cultural heritage.
