Editing Dappankuthu

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2023}}

{{Infobox music genre
| name              = Dappan Kuthu
| other_names       = Dappan Kuthu<br />Kuthu
| image             = Dappankuthu.jpg
| caption           = A typical Dappankuthu move
| stylistic_origins = Tamil dance
| cultural_origins  = [[Tamil Nadu]]
}}

'''Dappankuthu''' (or simply '''Kuthu'''; {{IPAc-en|d|ə|p|ɑː|ŋ|k|u|θ|u}}) is a folk dance and music genre, that is typically danced to the [[Gaana]] [[music genre]] or Kuthu Beats with an emphasis on [[Percussion instrument|percussion]] performed in the [[South India]]n state of [[Tamil Nadu]]. It is one of several popular genres employed in film music, mainly in [[Tamil cinema]] and other South films, filmed and produced by people of [[Tamil culture]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 October 2003 |title=Versatility is his forte |work=[[Business Line]] |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2003/10/06/stories/2003100600170400.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=8 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930231954/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2003/10/06/stories/2003100600170400.htm |archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> 
Unlike classical Indian dances such as [[bharatanatyam]] or [[kathakali]], dappankuthu is relatively informal in that it has no structured, repeated steps and dancers do not learn through formal dance classes. It shares its emphasis on percussion with older folk dances of [[Tamil Nadu]], such as [[kummi]] and kolattam.

== Musical instruments ==

A percussion instrument called [[parai]] in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], without the jingles, is often used for dappankuthu or similar dance forms. Unlike normal tambourines, this requires a wooden stick to play. Telugu teenmaar uses [[Daf|daf drums]], associated there with [[Siddi|Siddi people]].<ref name="Pitchfork">{{Cite web |last=Thapliyal |first=Adesh |date=10 March 2023 |title=A Brief History of South Indian Kuthu and Teenmaar Music in 10 Songs |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/naatu-naatu-south-indian-kuthu-in-10-songs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328033448/https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/naatu-naatu-south-indian-kuthu-in-10-songs/ |archive-date=28 March 2023 |access-date=30 March 2023 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]}}</ref> The [[urumi (drum)|urumee]] drum is also often used. A customised trumpet (called [[Nadaswaram]] locally) is also sometimes employed. The rhythm of the dappankuthu is often signified by a mix of beat patterns layered and flowing into one another. Other percussion instruments may be employed in dappankuthu. A similar instrument called ''TamaTe'' in Kannada resembling a Ganesh [[tambourine]] is also used for such dance forms in border areas such as M.M. Hills. The most-used [[time signature]] for dappankuthu songs is {{music|time|6|8}}.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Varma |first=Karthik |date=1 April 2013 |title=Variations on the 6/8 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/variations-on-the-68/article4568073.ece |url-status=live |access-date=28 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128092851/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/variations-on-the-68/article4568073.ece |archive-date=28 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Frederick |first=Prince |date=2 July 2011 |title=Pen, pencil, percussion |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/pen-pencil-percussion/article2151790.ece |url-status=live |access-date=28 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128092850/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/pen-pencil-percussion/article2151790.ece |archive-date=28 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ravi |first=Bhama Devi |date=26 July 2008 |title=Abhishek does a Vijay |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Abhishek-does-a-Vijay/articleshow/3279565.cms |url-status=live |access-date=28 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128094415/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Abhishek-does-a-Vijay/articleshow/3279565.cms |archive-date=28 November 2021}}</ref>

== Outfit and embellishments ==
Even though any attire can be worn when one dances the dappankuthu, a [[lungi]] (colourful cloth wrapped around the waist) is commonly worn and most preferable, with the bottom raised and folded upwards over the knees in the middle. Ideally, it should be worn over pattapatti (lined trousers). The shirt worn would have only two or three buttons in place, while the chest portion is left wide open and at the lower part of the shirt is knotted (using the two portions of the shirt). It is also common to tie a handkerchief or bandana around one's forehead and/or wrist.

Loud [[clapping]] and [[whistling]] by spectators often accompany the dappankuthu dance. Spectators are also known to set off [[firecracker]]s called locally as "Pattaasu" on the ground during the performance.

Facial expressions are employed for effect by the dancers. For example, the tongue, folded over and held in position with the front teeth, is brought out at regular intervals.

In Male Mahadeshwara hills of Karnataka bordering Tamil Nadu, the music for this dance will be played for money, and the believers can dance for longer time.
Particularly in this hill, there is a saying that god feels happy if his believers dance for him.

== Kuthu pop ==
The genre has been a staple of [[Tamil cinema]], with the composer [[Ilaiyaraaja]] credited with popularising kuthu and other [[Indian folk music|folk music]] in 70s cinema scores. Early on, the composers incorporated kuthu rhythms (and instruments) as a brief element to otherwise "classical" songs. Cinema is also responsible for incorporating singing into the instrumental genre of dappankuthu, with the trend flourishing in 2000s and giving birth to the modern kuthu pop.<ref name="Pitchfork" />

== Global attention ==
Kuthu has come a long way being combined with street styles and incorporated with hip hop culture, most noticeably when infused in the songs "[[Boyz (M.I.A. song)|Boyz]]" and "[[Bird Flu]]" by [[M.I.A. (rapper)|M.I.A.]] on her 2007 album ''[[Kala (album)|Kala]].''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramesh |first=Prithvi |date=5 July 2008 |title=My Five |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/07/05/stories/2008070553430500.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=24 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107174428/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/07/05/stories/2008070553430500.htm |archive-date=7 November 2012}}</ref> Now we see many Indian choreographers all over the world who combine Kuthu with street styles who are gaining global attention. [[Travis Scott]] incorporated Kuthu drums on the song “[[Sirens (Travis Scott song)|SIRENS]]” from his 2023 album [[Utopia (Travis Scott album)|Utopia]].

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S25s9blboA8 A sample of the dappankuthu dance]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr-zER6idsM A sample of the dappankuthu beat]

[[Category:Culture of Chennai]]
[[Category:Folk dances of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Tamil dance styles]]
[[Category:Tamil music]]