Introduction:
Kummi is one of the oldest folk dances practised in Tamil Nadu. Considered to be one of the most traditional art forms of the state, it is believed to portray the vibrant culture and heritage of the landscape. Kummi attam, also known as clapping dance, is cited in the Sangam epics. Epistemologically, the word kummi is derived from the Tamil word Kormai, meaning dancing and clapping hands. Historically, Kummi, right from ancient to the present time, serves as a tool of community gathering where women come together to celebrate temple festivals, harvest seasons, and other social events.
Different Styles of Kummi:
Ideally, Kummi is a dance form performed only by women, but in certain parts of Tamilnadu men also join the dance. In a group, one woman leads by singing a verse, and the others respond with a chorus. Based on the rhythm of the song, they clap their hands, tune in to the beat, and dance in a circle, and this is how we witness Kummi today. When describing the methods of performing Kummi, six styles are recognised: Clapping while walking slowly, clapping while walking and stopping, clapping while bending and straightening, clapping while hopping, clapping one’s own hands, and clapping in rhythm with the hands of the person opposite.
Kummi and the Art Form Over the Years:
Kummi, which was initially performed in the temples, has a divine touch in its dances and songs. This type of Kummi song involves narrating puranas and other mythological texts. Over the period, Kummi became a more flexible art and included various songs. During the Indian freedom struggle, Kummi was used to spread the message of social reform and independence.
Dance kummi! Let all of Tamil Nadu
Resound with clapping hands and dance!
The evils that haunted us are gone,
Let us rejoice in the good we’ve found — dance kummi!
This Kummi, for example, was written by the great poet Bharathiyar, who condemned the social evils practised against the women of his time. Such ways of spreading the message always seemed to attract a larger audience; hence, the art form was used for communication and collectiveness. Another important instance where Kummi played the role of the messenger was during the Madras cyclone of 1877. Thousands of people died in the streets due to starvation caused by the mismanagement of grains. The Tamil poets of the time recorded their sufferings and highlighted their plight by singing Kummi. For instance,
i. “Moondru vayadu pillai, moonu roobai vilai – Arasarkulam Saminathan”: This Kummi talks about the plight of a mother who sold her children to get a handful of rice.
ii. “Erumbu valaigalai vetti, adanil irukkum daaniyam thaan eduthu… Kallapuliyur Malaimarundan”: This Kummi talks about how people broke the nest of the ants to steal grains and feed themselves.
Valli Kummi:
More than a single style of Kummi is practised across the state. Poonthatti Kummi, Deepa Kummi, Kulavai Kummi, Kadir Kummi, and Mulaipari Kummi are different varieties of the folk dance that continue to exist even today. However, the most famous Kummi dance is the Valli Kummi. Valli Kummi, predominantly practised in the Kongu region, tells the story of lord valli right from he rebirth to her marriage with lord muurgan. This art form, which is a sonnet describing the life of Valli, is kept alive by the performers.
Sastriyakummi :
During the colonial times, many important figures contributed to the growth of Tamil. Among them, one of the most important Tamil scholars is Vedanayagam Shastri, who composed thought-provoking Kummi songs. Sastriyakummi is composed of four-line verses and contains 250 songs. The ideas expressed in these songs are not just intended for Christians, but are also for others. The work avoids superstitions and instead addresses issues such as untouchability and social inequality, emphasising that a woman’s life itself is feminism, worthy of respect and recognition by the world. Vedanayagam Sastriar, under the theme titled “Eṇpathoru Thalaippagal” (Eighty-One Titles), highlights that superstitious customs and traditions hinder both women’s progress and overall social advancement. In each song, he repeatedly uses the phrase “Ñāna Peṇṇē” (Wise Woman) as a recurring motif, placing her at the forefront of the narrative.
Current Status:
At present, Kummi songs continue to remain a source of pride and glory for specific villages or towns. These are typically seen during local temple festivals and village celebrations. Not only during the British era even today, people use Kummi as a form of protest, a way to show their anger. Recently, women in Madurai gathered to perform Kummi as a mark of protest to fight against the extraction of Thungsten. In certain hamlets, Kummi is performed by women, where they sing and dance to songs filled with moral values to teach the girls rich values and culture. Currently, the Kummi art form is being reinvented according to the current whims and trends. Still idly practised across villages and hamlets, this folk dance continues to exist in the everyday life of the people.
Conclusion:
Kummi dance is a representation of the Tamil culture. It is a symbol of tradition and heritage. Kummi, right from ancient to present times, has been a medium of social representation that addresses people’s values, history, grievances and struggles. Tamil folk songs and dance hold a rich account of history. Reading between the beats and rhythm, you can understand the oral history that has been passed down from one generation to another. Kummi attam is one such dance where, along with the song and dance beats, you also get to study the history of the ordinary people.
References:
2. Suganthy Krishnamachari, “Famine becomes theme of music”, The Hindu, November 16, 2017.
3. J, N. and D, C. 2022. Feminist Theories in Vedanayaka Sastriyar’s ’Sastira Kummi’. International Research Journal of Tamil. 4, S-19 (Dec. 2022), 595-600. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34256/irjt224s1988
4. Nivetha, K., et al. “Psychology in Tamil Folk Songs.” Indian Journal of Tamil, vol. 3, no. 3, 2022, pp. 5-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.54392/ijot2232.
5. https://formsofdancesintamilnadu.wordpress.com/kummi/