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.
| 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 |
The prop is the identifier: the karagam pot, the villu bow, the silambam staff and the false legs of Poikkal Kuthirai Attam separate close options.
Frequently asked questions
What is Villu Pattu?
Which folk dance uses decorated pots?
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All 38 districts of Tamil Nadu in one list, with the newest districts and their carve-outs, the way TNPSC asks them.
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Every Chief Minister of Madras State and Tamil Nadu since 1946, with tenures, the exact list TNPSC draws sequence questions from.
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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