D06145 Lesson 5 Kuravanji Dance Dramas
This
lesson talks about “Kuravanji”, a type of dance drama popular in
Tamil. There are nearly 120 Kuravanji texts in Tamil. These are
named either after the gods or the stalam in which the plot is set
or the patrons who encouraged this art. The Kuravanji dance drama
combines classical and folk elements. The earliest references to
the fortune teller or kurathi viz. (a woman of the kurava clan among
the hill folk), who is an important character in Kuravanji, are
found in ancient texts such as the “Tholkappiam”, “Kurunthogai”
and “Aganaanooru”. The fortune telling kurathi appears in “Kuram”,
“Kuluvam” and “Kuravanji” - three literary forms that are a part
of sittrilakkiyam (i.e. the minor literary genre) in Tamil. Of these,
the Kuravanji is the most popular.
Kuravanji dance dramas usually follow a set theme.
The drama begins with “thodayam” or invocation. This is followed
by “vinayagar varugai”, the appearance of a person dressed as Lord
Vinayaka. Then the “kattiyangaaran” announces the paatudaithalaivan
or (hero) who sets out in a procession. He is usually the local
presiding deity or the ruler of the land. The thalaivi or heroine
falls in love with the thalaivan and pines for him. Her sakis (i.e.
friends) try to reassure her. A kurathi who arrives on the scene
is summoned to read her palm and predict the future. The kurathi
sings the glory of her tribe and describes the beauty of the mountainous
region she comes from. She also waxes eloquent about her skills
in foretelling the future. After invoking the gods and performing
certain rituals, she forecasts the happy union of the thalaivi with
the thalaivan. The thalaivi showers the kurathi with precious gifts.
The rustic lilt of the kurathi’s songs and dance are the prime charm
of Kuravanjis. There is also a comic element in Kuravanjis. The
scene in which the kuravan who is the kurathi’s husband comes in
search of her is humorous.
Like other dance dramas, the structure of Kuravanji
dramas fall into 5 sections- viz. the “aivagai santhigal”. They
are exposition or mugam, rise in action or prathimugam, climax or
karupam, fall in action or vilaivu and conclusion or denouement
or thuithal. Dialogues and characterization are also important.
All the 8 types of “suvai” or sentiments associated with drama are
found in Kuravanji plays.
The Kuravanji plays skillfully combine the sacred
and the secular. In the olden days these plays were performed in
temples. “Kumbesar Kuravanji”, “Chidambara Kuravanji” and “Sivan
Malai Kuravanji” are a few examples of Kuravanji plays staged in
temples. “Thirukkutralakuravanji” written by Thirikooda Rasappa
Kavirayar is the most famous Kuravanji play noted for its poetic
beauty. “Sarabendra Boobala Kuravanji” has the distinction of being
the most often staged Kuravanji play.quote has the distinction of
being the most often staged Kuravanji play. |