Kaniyan koothu

A ritual folk performance, performed by the men folk of Kaniyan community is known as Kaniyan koothu. Kaniyan koothu is performed by a team of Kaniyan normally consists of six members. This includes a lead singer, an assistant singer, two drummers, and two dancers costumed as women. Kaniyan koothu is closely associated with Sudalai worship in southern region of Tamil Nadu. Kaniyan koothu is performed to invoke the spirit of Sudalai during Kodai- a annual celebration. In koothu performance the performers sung and narrate the origin myth of Sudalai together with music and dance. The name of the musical instrument is called Makudam and this performance is also known as Makudatam. Lead singer is the leader of Kaniyan koothu performance. He sings and narrates the myth of Sudalai. These lead singers are known as annavi. While singing the myth in high pitch the komarathadi gets possessed by the spirit and danced vehemently. In Kaniyan koothu performance two men folk perform the drum that is called Makudam. This drum is a small circular one headed drum hung from the shoulder and tapped with fingers. There are two types of Makudam based on the sound of the drum. They are vucha makudam (high pitch drum) and mantha makudam (low pitch drum) . Both the drums are used in Kaniyan koothu. These two drummers stand adjacent to the lead singer and perform. Two men dancers costumed as women danced. These performers dance according to the song and music.