A mayilattam performer

Mayilattam (Tamil: மயிலாட்டம்) is an artistic and religious form of dance performed in the Hindu temples of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in reverence to Murugan, a regional form of the Hindu deity Kartikeya. Literally translating as the "peacock dance",[1] the performers seat themselves upon a peacock replica, which is the mount of the deity.[2]

Description

Mayilattam performers wear costumes from head to toe with headdresses and peacock feathers,[3] that can be opened and closed using a thread, and perform specific dances. The performers dance on a tall piece of wood attached at the end of their feet. This dance is performed in all Murugan temples as a tradition during festivals. The number of Mayilattam performers is decreasing due to financial reasons.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Madhavan, Arya (1 January 2010). Kudiyattam Theatre and the Actor's Consciousness. BRILL. p. 113. ISBN 978-90-420-2799-2.
  2. ↑ Knapp, Stephen (2005). The Heart of Hinduism: The Eastern Path to Freedom, Empowerment, and Illumination. iUniverse. p. 187. ISBN 978-0-595-35075-9.
  3. ↑ Snodgrass, Mary Ellen (8 August 2016). The Encyclopedia of World Folk Dance. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-4422-5749-8.
  4. ↑ "Dance forms of Tamilnadu". Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
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