Dance forms of Tamil NaduTamil Nadu has a rich history of art of entertainment.

Many forms of group and individual dances with the classicalforms for popularity and sheer entertainment value. Some ofthe dance forms are performed by Tribal people.[1] Majority of these dances are still thriving in Tamil Nadu today.

1. Bagavatha Nadanam

This dance is performed inside a temple, around a lamp. The purpose is to worship Lord Krishna, and celebrate his frolics with the gopikas. This is performed during Ramanavami and Gokulashtami.

2. BharathanatyamBharathanatyam is a classical Indian dance that originated inTamil Nadu, with roots in more ancient dance forms

3. Chakkai AttamTeak woodenpieces size of 7 X 3/4 inch are held between thefingers which make the noise. Eight to ten dancers stand in acircle or parallel lines. The accompanying songs are generally about gods and goddesses.

4. Kai Silambu Attam

This dance is performed in temples during Amman festivals or Navaratri festival. The dancers wear ankle-bells and hold anklets or silambu in their hands, which make noise when shaken. They perform various stepping styles jumps.

5. Kali Attam or Kolattam

Kali means joy or fun and games. Sticks of one foot length are held ineach hand and beaten to make a sharp, rasping sound as the dance proceeds with unique steps, twisting and turning. It is danced by both men and women, during festivals, auspicious days and weddings.

6. Karagattam

Karagattam is a Tamil folk dance involving the balancing of clay or metal pots or other objects on the dancers head. This dance is usually associated with the worship of Amman.[5]

7.Kavadi Aattam. Special songs were created to be sung while carrying the Kavadi Sindhu. This dance is performed only by men. It is done by balancing a pole with pots fixed on either end, filled with milk or cocunut water. The poles are made from Purasai or Teak wood. On top, bamboo strips are bent like a half-moon, covered with saffron cloth and further decorated on the sides with peacock feathers. This is mainly a religious dance, performed in worship of Lord Murugan, the second son of Siva.

8.Kazhai KothuKazhai Kothu is a performance of gymnastic specialised by travellers. This is very similar to modern day circus. They

travel in a group from place to place, entertaining the local people and thus earning a living.

9.KolattamKolattam is an ancient village art.. This is performed by women only, with two sticks held in each hand, beaten to make a rhythmic sound. 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 forms intricate lace-like patterns in the ropes. As coloured ropes are used, this lace looks extremely attractive. This is performed for ten days, starting with the new moon night after Deepavali.[7].

10.Kol Kal attam]A dance performed with false legs i.e. by tying wooden sticks to the legs. Wooden sticks are covered up to look, performer will be more height, for viewers.[8]

11.Kummi[]Kummi is one of the ancient forms of village dances of Tamilnadu. It originated when there were no musical instruments, with the participants clapping their hands to keep time. This is performed by women;. The women stand in a circle and dance clapping their hands rhythmically to lifting songs. This dance is usually performed during temple festivals,Pongal, the harvest festival, familyfunctions like the one to celebrate the coming of age (onset of puberty) of the girl-child etc.

12.Mayil Attam or Peacock dance]Mayil Attam is done by girls dressed as peacocks, resplendent with peacock feathers and a glittering head-dress complete with a beak. This beak can be opened and closed with the help of a thread tied to it, and manipulated from within dress.

13.Paampu Atam or Snake DancePaampu attam is yet another typical speciality of the southern region is the snake-dance which arises from the popularity of the snake as a protective divinity, safeguarding the health and happiness of the rural folk.

Usually danced by young girls dressed in a tight-fighting costume designed like the snake-skin.

ThappaattamThappu is the name of a rhythmic beat instrument and Thappattam is practiced among the suppressed Dalits classes of the people of the Tamil Nadu..

Arts and Crafts

Tamil Nadu has a distinctive tradition in fine arts and exquisite crafts. Today, the craft traditions of the state havedeveloped into full-fledged industries in themselves.

Basketry

Tamil Nadu is known for its cane weaving and palm leaf products, including trays, flower baskets, shopping bags, folding fans etc. Toys and dolls are also produced from grass, bamboo and cane. This craft is mainly centered at Dharampuri, Salem, Coimbatore, South Arcot

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Kolam

Kolam refers to decorative artwork drawn on the floor in front of houses and in in Puja rooms. Kolam is considered as an important form of artistic expression in India. ndoubtedly, Kolam can be called a most essential part of South Indian culture and it serves to embellish the doorstep and make it look more inviting. Moreover, it is a symbol of good fortune

Tanjore Paintings and Arts

Tamil Nadu is known for its traditional ornate paintings, known as Tanjore paintings. This unique art form hasits origin from Tanjore in South India. The portrayal of figures in these paintings is breathtakingly brilliant. The early paintings were embedded with real diamonds, rubies and other precious stones. Presently, pure gold foils and semi precious stones are used to adorn the paintings. The Tanjore School of Paintings dates back to the 16th century

Weaving in Tamilnadu

Over the ages, India has conjured up different images at different times, but one constant through the centuries has been its textiles and one region, which has always been in the picture in this regard, has been Tamil Nadu.

Kanchipuram Sarees

Kanchipuram, the "Silk Paradise" is world renowned for its hand-woven silk saris. About 75% of Kanchipuram's population is dependent on the silk sari industry, either directly or indirectly. Yet, the city doesnot manufacture silk or any other raw material that goes into its silk saris. The silk industry is entirely made up of handloom weavers and merchants.

The Art of Creating Jewelery

Just like other parts of the country, Tamil Nadu has its own traditional jewellery-especially the stone-encrusted jewelery, which reached its peak here.

Metalware in Tamil Nadu

The famous brass and copper metalware has a rich and ancient tradition in Tamil Nadu. These metal objectsare used for both religious and secular purposes, though utility is a primary consideration. The deepam or lamp are regarded as a symbol of Agni, which is auspicious and is the best known of the State's metalware

¤ Pottery

The famous art of pottery has been practiced here from ancient times, which is expressed in the manufacture of the famous Ayyannar horses. The horses are said to protect each village from evil.

. ¤ Stone Carving

Stone carving have reached a high degree of excellence in this southern state very early in history.. A subsidiary form of carving is soapstone or maakal carving, found in the region between Pondicherry and Cuddalore

. Cuisine of Tamil NaduTamil Nadu food menu has a wide range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies to offer. The food here gets its flavor from a host of spices and condiments used in Tamil Nadu. Coconut, tamarind are a must for almost all vegetarian recipes. Garam masala is avoided in Tamil cuisine. In Tamil Nadu Coconut oil is normally used as the medium of cooking. Chutneys and mixed spice are served in the lunch and enhance the taste of the Tamil Nadu food.In Tamil Nadu, a typical meal consists of rice (mostly steamed, grains and vegetables.. The Tamil style of Mughali food can be tasted in the Biriyanis and Paya. Paya is a type of spiced trotters broth and is eaten with either Parathas or Appam.

Music of Tamil NaduMusic of Tamil Nadu has a long tradition and history going back thousands of years. Music is a very important aspect of the culture of the Tamil people. The Music is a heady cocktail of purity, emotions and divinity.

Ancient music

The tradition of Tamil music goes back to the earliest period of Tamil history. Many poems of the Sangam literature, the classical Tamil literature of the early common era, were set to music. There are various references to this ancient musical tradition found in the ancient Sangam books

Carnatic music

Carnatic music, which is the classical music form of Southern India, has a long history in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu has produced a number of famous performers, as well as a closely related classical dance form Bharatha Natyam. Chennai hosts a large cultural event, the annual Madras Music Season, which includes performances by hundreds of artists.

Folk musicFolk singing remains popular, especially in rural areas; elements of the traditional styles

are sometimes used in film music. The rural hill tribes of Tamil Nadu each have their own

folk traditions

Film music

Tamil Cinema is well known for its talented composers. A. R. Rahman is from Tamil Nadu. Other prominent Tamil film score and soundtrack composers in the industry include Harris Jayaraj, Yuvan Shankar Raja,VidyasagarScores may showcase blends of Carnatic, Western and other instruments, with a range of melodic and rhythmic patterns.

Tamil Christian keerthanai

Tamil Christian Keerthanai (Keerthanai meaning Songs of Praise) are devotional Christian lyrics

in Tamil.

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