| Dappan Kuthu | |
|---|---|
 A typical Dappankuthu move | |
| Other names | Dappan Kuthu Kuthu |
| Stylistic origins | Tamil dance |
| Cultural origins | Tamil Nadu |
Dappankuthu (or simplyKuthu;/dəpɑːŋkuθu/) is a folk dance and music genre, that is typically danced to theGaanamusic genre or Kuthu Beats with an emphasis onpercussion performed in theSouth Indian state ofTamil Nadu. It is one of several popular genres employed in film music, mainly inTamil cinema and other South films, filmed and produced by people ofTamil culture.[1] Unlike classical Indian dances such asbharatanatyam orkathakali, dappankuthu is relatively informal in that it has no structured, repeated steps and dancers do not learn through formal dance classes. It shares its emphasis on percussion with older folk dances ofTamil Nadu, such askummi and kolattam.
A percussion instrument calledparai inTamil, without the jingles, is often used for dappankuthu or similar dance forms. Unlike normal tambourines, this requires a wooden stick to play. Telugu teenmaar usesdaf drums, associated there withSiddi people.[2] Theurumee drum is also often used. A customised trumpet (calledNadaswaram locally) is also sometimes employed. The rhythm of the dappankuthu is often signified by a mix of beat patterns layered and flowing into one another. Other percussion instruments may be employed in dappankuthu. A similar instrument calledTamaTe in Kannada resembling a Ganeshtambourine is also used for such dance forms in border areas such as M.M. Hills. The most-usedtime signature for dappankuthu songs is6
8.[3][4][5]
Even though any attire can be worn when one dances the dappankuthu, alungi (colourful cloth wrapped around the waist) is commonly worn and most preferable, with the bottom raised and folded upwards over the knees in the middle. Ideally, it should be worn over pattapatti (lined trousers). The shirt worn would have only two or three buttons in place, while the chest portion is left wide open and at the lower part of the shirt is knotted (using the two portions of the shirt). It is also common to tie a handkerchief or bandana around one's forehead and/or wrist.
Loudclapping andwhistling by spectators often accompany the dappankuthu dance. Spectators are also known to set offfirecrackers called locally as "Pattaasu" on the ground during the performance.
Facial expressions are employed for effect by the dancers. For example, the tongue, folded over and held in position with the front teeth, is brought out at regular intervals.
In Male Mahadeshwara hills of Karnataka bordering Tamil Nadu, the music for this dance will be played for money, and the believers can dance for longer time.Particularly in this hill, there is a saying that god feels happy if his believers dance for him.
The genre has been a staple ofTamil cinema, with the composerIlaiyaraaja credited with popularising kuthu and otherfolk music in 70s cinema scores. Early on, the composers incorporated kuthu rhythms (and instruments) as a brief element to otherwise "classical" songs. Cinema is also responsible for incorporating singing into the instrumental genre of dappankuthu, with the trend flourishing in 2000s and giving birth to the modern kuthu pop.[2]
Kuthu has come a long way being combined with street styles and incorporated with hip hop culture, most noticeably when infused in the songs "Boyz" and "Bird Flu" byM.I.A. on her 2007 albumKala.[6] Now we see many Indian choreographers all over the world who combine Kuthu with street styles who are gaining global attention.Travis Scott incorporated Kuthu drums on the song “SIRENS” from his 2023 albumUtopia.