Folk Arts of Tamil Nadu
Folk-art questions test one-line identification, the pot dance, the bow song, the street theatre. This table is that line for each.
Syllabus: GS Unit VI (TN culture and heritage)
| Folk art | Identification |
|---|---|
| Karagattam | Balancing decorated pots (karagam) while dancing; associated with Amman worship |
| Oyilattam | Rhythmic 'dance of grace' with kerchiefs, southern TN |
| Theru Koothu | Traditional street theatre with elaborate costume and song |
| Villu Pattu | Bow song, narrative ballads sung on a bow-shaped instrument |
| Bommalattam | String and rod puppetry tradition |
| Silambattam | Martial staff (silambam) performed as dance |
| Mayilattam | Peacock dance with feathered costume, Murugan worship |
| Poikkal Kuthirai Attam | False-legged horse dance |
| Kavadi Attam | Dance bearing the kavadi, Murugan pilgrimage tradition |
| Devarattam | Ancient victory dance of the Kambala Nayakar community |
| Kummi | Circle dance with rhythmic clapping, no instruments |
| Kolattam | Stick dance in pairs, women's ensembles |
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Compiled from official Tamil Nadu government sources and standard references. Time-sensitive counts carry an as-of note on the page. Sources: TNPSC official notifications. Figures are indicative and may change with each official notification. Data last reviewed: July 2026.
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