About the project 

 

A project entirely comprising folk dance has been conceptualized by Smt Uma S (USA) and executed by Smt.Ranganayaki Jayaraman of Saraswathi Gana Nilayam & Smt Uma S. This initiative is aimed at reviving the lost art form of folk dances and includes Kummi, Kolattam, Pinnal Kolattam, Kurathi dance, Snake dance, etc.

 

Kummi (Adhiguruvai)

 

Kummi is one of the most important and ancient forms of village dances of Tamil Nadu. It originated when there were no musical instruments, with the participants clapping their hands to keep time. The women stand in a circle and dance clapping their hands rhythmically to lilting songs.

Pinnal Kolattam (Gangai Nathanai)

 

Pinnal Kolattam is danced with ropes which the women hold in their hands, the other of which are tied to a tall pole. With planned steps, the women skip over each other, which form intricate lace-like patterns in the ropes. As coloured ropes are used, this lace looks extremely attractive. Again, they unravel this lace reversing the dance steps.

 

Composer Smt K Lalitha

Harvest Dance: 

 

Whirling to the music, dancers perform the traditional Harvest Dance. The dance represents the beauty of the ordinary as the dancers gracefully imitate a simple rice harvest. The dance originated in villages and originally celebrated the harvest with movements that mimic planting, cultivating and bringing in the crops.

 

Composer Smt K Lalitha