Karagattam

Karagattam one of the ancient Dravidian art form mostly performed in village temple festivals.
A decorated copper or brass pot filled with red soil called Karagam, veteran dancer perform Folk dance movements with Karagam balancing in head called Karagattam.

Some trustworthy stories say that Karagattam actually a way of worshiping the rain Goddess("Mari amman") , in those days formers lives and crops depends on rain so they woship their Goddess for rain. In returns they submit their crops. At first They grow seeds in a pot and carry them to the Rain Goddess(Mari amman),This ritual is called "Mulaipari".This ritual still happening in villages, Karagattam evoluted from this very ritual. Thats why they called it "Kudakoothu" in those days. There are two types of Karagattam, namely "Attakaragam" and "Sakthikaragam". "Sakthikaragam" was only performed in front of the Rain Goddess (Mari Amman) and "Attakaragam" for other festivals and for people.

Today, The performers are carry the art from their ancestors so understandably its their heritage. Un like other Aryan arts like Bharatham, Karagattam not educated to everyone and its techniques are not written so its fading these days. For survival, some (a lot some..) artists added too many vulgar acts,words and songs. Instead of talent showing, They showing something else. So Karagattam not a family entertainer or skill show these days.

Someone really have to work hard for this wonderful art be survive in future.