Padayani (Kerala)
One of the most colourful and enchanting dances
of Southern Kerala associated with the festival
of certain temples is called Padayani or Paddeni.
These temples are formed in the districts of Alleppey,
Quilon,, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts.
The main kolams (huge masks) presented in Padayani
are Bhairavi (Kali), Kalan (god of death), Yakshi
(fairy), Pakshi (bird), etc. The literal meaning
of Padayani is military formations or rows of
army, in folk art. It involves a series of divine
and semi divine impersonations weaving Kolams
of different shapes and colours and designs painted
on the stalks of arecanut fronds.
The performers consist of dancers or actors,
singers who recite different poems for different
Kolams and instrumentalists who play wild and
loud rhythms on their drums called Thappu and
Cymbals, etc. The actors or dancers wear Kolams
which are huge headgears with many projections
and devices with a mask for the face or a chest
piece to cover the breast and abdomen of the
performer. All the dancers singers and instrumentalists
form a procession of Kali and her spirits returning
after the killing of the 'Asura' chief Darika.
Kummi (Tamil Nadu)
Kummi and Kolattam, which is an extension of
Kummi, are dances performed by the tribal women
during festivals.Kummi is simple where dancers
form circles and clap as they dance. The only
difference in Kolattam is the use of small wooden
rods in their hands which are struck in rhythm
instead of clapping.
Kargam (Tamil Nadu)
One of the most essential parts of a ritual,
dedicated to Mariamma, the goddess of health
and rain, is the Kargam. It is performed by
men, wherein they balance pots filled with uncooked
rice, surrounded by a tall conical bamboo frame
covered with flowers. Drums and long pipes form
the musical instruments accompanying the dance.
Dollu Kunitha (Karnataka)
It is a popular drum dance of Karnataka. The
large drums are decorated with coloured cloth,
and are slung around the necks of men. The dances
are at times accompanied with songs relating
to religious praise or wars. The dance is performed
with quick and light movement of the feet and
legs. The tribes of Karnataka are basically
hunters and food gatherers. They are stocked
with a regular précis of songs and dances
of hunting, food gathering and burial funeral
rites. Kavadis are ritual dances for the worship
of Lord Subramanya. At harvest time the Dodavas
of Karnataka perform the Balakat, the Dollu
Kunitha mentioned earlier forms a part of the
ritualistic dances which come under 'Kumitha'.
Devare Thatte Kunitha, Yell-ammana Kunitha,
Suggikunitha are each, dances related to the
name of a deity or instrument which is balanced
on the head or held in the hand.
Ghode Modni (Goa)
Goa was ruled by the Portuguese for many years.
Hence, the European influence is very strong
andis quite evident in the annual Carnival.
The brave deeds of the Goan warriors is expressed
in their dance Godhe Modni (dummy horse presentation)
where the attractively dressed dancers perform
armed with swords. Three days in a row the people
are in a mood for fun and frolic. There are
elaborate parades and spectacular processions
other than the dances of the boys and girls.
Lava Dance of Minicoy (Lakshadweep)
The dances of Dadra and Nagar Haveli depict
their own uniqueness. Throughout the moonlit
nights, the tarpa dancers encircle the Tarpakar
and tap their feet while dancing. One of the
most colourful of their dances is the Mask dance
or Bhavada.