Sevai Attam Dance

The culturally refined and highly advanced state of Tamil Nadu has a prosperous history of arts, crafts and traditional folklore. The local people who are a firm believer of Iyal (Literature), Isai (Music) and Nadagam (Drama) also practice several dance forms of which Sevai Attam deserves special mention.

The aesthetically appealing folk culture of Tamil Nadu paint a pretty picture of the colorful and melodious cohesion that prevails with the state and imbibe an underlying spirit of ethos and spirituality with the people. Mainly performed during the temple festivals and other occasions of celebrations, the people are drunk in happiness, mirth and merriment.

The age-old Therukoothu (Street Play), Thappattai Attam, Karagam and Kavadi, Dummy Horse dance and Peacock Dance, Oyilattam and Silambam are still immensely popular and appreciated by the young and old; the urban and the bucolic crowd alike.

Tamil Nadu’s claim to fame lies in several classical folk dances like the Oyilaatam, Oyil Kummi, Devaraattam, Karagaattam, Kaavadi Aattam, Kali Aattam, Kolaattam, Theru Koothu, Kazhai Koothu, Villu Paattu, Chakkai Aattam, Kai Silambu Aattam, Kummi, PuliAattam, Kuravan- kurathi Aattam, Poikkal Kudirai Aattam, Thappattaiattam, Silambaattam, Sevai Aattam, Ottan Koothu, Urumi Aattam and Snake dance.

Among the numerous celebrated village dances, Sevai Attam dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu, locally worshipped as 'Thirumal' holds a special place. Sevai Attam also finds mention in the chronicles of the ancient Sangam era as the 'Pinther Kuruvai’ that was executed at the rear end of a chariot procession in honor of a monarch or a revered deity. Performed by the talented dance troupes of the Nataka community, this humorous and highly entertaining dance comprises of one performer aping the actions of a buffoon and gracefully swaying to the mellow beats of the ’urumi’, an indigenous percussion instrument playing s soulful classical tune.