Deverattam

Devarattam is a Tamil Word derived from the words "Devar" or Thevar (Tamil meaning: the god/ king/ or warriors) and "Attam" (Tamil meaning: the dance).^[1] Traditionally, it was performed by the kings and warriors after a successful battle particularly in pandyan dynasty,^[2] Later it was danced by the group of peoples of Maravar clan belonging to mukkulathor community, who are referred to as Devar in present Madurai and nearby regions, believe they are related to the Pandya dynasty,^[3] parallelly devarattam was also performed by the kings and warriors of the chola dynasty in ancient days as a joy of victory,^[4] still it was followed by some group of peoples of Kallar clan belongs to mukkulathor community who claim descent from the Chola dynasty and also refereed as Devar in present Thanjavur and nearby regions of south-east Tamil Nadu,^[5] After the fall of both chola and pandya dynasties both clans not celebrates the joy of victory by devarattam. In the period following Indian independence, devarattam is performed mostly by the Rajakambalathu Nayakkar a Telugu origin community those believes they are migrants from Andhra Pradesh Vijayanagar dynasty of South India and settled in Tamil Nadu for many generations and upkeep Tamil traditions and religious practices also socially friendship with Mukkulathor Devar as well as all communities of Tamil Nadu, at present devarattam was mostly performed only by the professional dancers of the same community during the temple festivals and other functions in Tamil Nadu ^[6]

References

^ Sastri and Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta (1976). A histor of South India from prehistoric times to the fall of Vijayanagar. Oxford University Press. pp. 20–21.
^ Rajan. K. and Soundara. V (1998). ). Rock-cut temple styles: early Pandyan art and the Ellora shrines. Somaiya Publications. pp. 50–52. ISBN 9788170392187.
^ Zarilli and Philip B (2001). "India". In Green, Thomas A. Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia. p. 175. ISBN 978-1-57607-150-2.
^ Wood, Michael (2007). Heaven sent: Michael Wood explores the art of the Chola dynasty. Royal Academy, UK.
^ Susan, Bayly (2001). Caste, Society and Politics in India from the Eighteenth Century to the Modern Age. Cambridge University Press. pp. 43–45. ISBN 978-0-521-79842-6.
^ "Devarattam in Madurai India". India9.com. 7 June 2005. Retrieved 10 February 2012.

[1] Sastri and Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta (1976). A histor of South India from prehistoric times to the fall of Vijayanagar. Oxford University Press. pp. 20–21.

[2] Rajan. K. and Soundara. V (1998). ). Rock-cut temple styles: early Pandyan art and the Ellora shrines. Somaiya Publications. pp. 50–52. ISBN 9788170392187.

[3] Zarilli and Philip B (2001). "India". In Green, Thomas A. Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia. p. 175. ISBN 978-1-57607-150-2.

[4] Wood, Michael (2007). Heaven sent: Michael Wood explores the art of the Chola dynasty. Royal Academy, UK.

[5] Susan, Bayly (2001). Caste, Society and Politics in India from the Eighteenth Century to the Modern Age. Cambridge University Press. pp. 43–45. ISBN 978-0-521-79842-6.

[6] "Devarattam in Madurai India". India9.com. 7 June 2005. Retrieved 10 February 2012.

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