Karakattam dance

Karakattam dance

Part of: Prelims and GS-I Culture

Context: Recently, the Kerala Nattukala Kshema Sabha (KNKS), an outfit that works for the promotion of local artforms in the state, has demanded that Karakattam dance be recognised as the agricultural art form of Kerala.

About the dance

• Karakattam is a form of folk dance performed at festivals, conferences, roadshows and primarily at Mariamman (rain goddess) festivals.
• Karakattam and agriculture have a link because, in Kerala after Makarakoythu (harvest season), the Mariamman pooja is in the Medam month and Mariamman is considered as the goddess of rain. 
• Its  performances are characterized by a lot of swaying movements and joyous banter.  
• The performers balance a pot on their head. 
• Other highlights include blowing fire, inserting needles into eyes, and keeping balance while holding a bottle parallel to the ground on the performer’s back. 

News Source: IE