Performing Arts

Thevar Aatam:

Folk dances, as native art forms have existed since time unknown to man. In this tour, you will witness one of the most ancient art forms native to Pollachi and its surrounding villages – Thevar Aatam. Dhoti-clad men and boys, both young and old, participate in the rhythmic steps to the unmistakable sound of a special musical instrument popularly known as urumi.

When the beat starts, the dance is captivatingly gentle with wrist turns and neck rolls. As the tempo builds up, the whistles begin, the upper cloth is waved about in step to the music and the feet twist and vibrate to jostle the bells that are firmly ensconced at the ankles.

The movements accelerate quickly from subtle steps to full-on hip shakes, shoulder shrugs and foot thumps at the end of which they are slightly out of breath and in need of water.

Kummi Paatu:

Another form of performing arts native to the region is kummipaatu – a dance form that came to be known so because of the Tamil word kommai, meaning to dance along with the clapping of the hands.

Performed by men who are dressed rather simply, in a white veshti (dhoti) and a clean shirt, with bells around their feet, these 23 acts so rich in history, culture, verses, music, rhythm, and meaning have been instrumental in giving Pollachi a cultural identity.

The tour is for travelers who visit Pollachi seeking a cultural immersion. An interaction with the artists will convince you that art doesn’t need a village to survive, but villages are in need of art to thrive.