KARAGATTAM COSTUME

Copper and Paper Mache (pot), silk, velvet and zari (dress) go into the making of these early 20th Century CE artifacts.

The ancient folk dance ‘Karagattam’ has its origin in Tanjore and Tiruvarur regions of Tamil Nadu. It is performed with the belief of invoking rain by praising the “rain goddess Mariamman”, the performers balance a pot called ‘Karagam’ on their head.

It has two branches, namely, ‘Sakthi Karagam’ and ‘Aatta Karagam’. In Sakthi Karagam, which is performed in the temples, the pot is filled with rice, neem leaves, kum kum, turmeric, and ‘arali’ flowers. In Aatta Karagam a parrot doll is fixed on top of the pot. Costume is ornate. Male performers wear a ‘pyjama’ and short ‘kurta’, and the women usually wear a short saree or skirt with pyjamas.

Beats of ‘Thavil’ and ‘Nadaswaram’ accompany as background music. The music is in ‘Amruthavarshini’ raga.