AALI ATTAM

It is a folk dance form wherein a giant doll like structure made of bamboo pieces and paper is used as a mask by the dancer. The huge mask is beautifully painted in multi colours and the dancers wear the mask and dance before the public.

Along with the Aali, there are other figures like bear, tiger, old lady and the like. These are supporting images and they dance with the main Aali dancer. The dancers are called Puli Vesham, Karadi Vesham and Kizhavi Vesham.

As Aali is the lead character in the dance programme, the name Aali has been given to the entire group consisting of other characters like bear, tiger and old lady. There are always two Aali dancers, one male and the other female. The doll like structure is made to carry the musical instrument called Nahaswaram. Both the man-Aali and the woman-Aali carry the Nahaswaram. The lower part of the Aali will be without the hood; instead, it has a skirt, which is long, loose and touches the floor. Thus, the upper part is fixed and unmoving whereas the lower part is empty that enables the dancer to move freely. The dancer who carries the doll is not visible because he is behind the dress ie.skirt. There is a small hole in the belly of the doll through which the dancer will see the outside.

The supporting dolls like the tiger, bear and old lady are made from paper and board mash. It is not easy to make the giant dolls with the above raw materials. It takes a lot of time, money, patience and perseverance.

Aali Attam is widely performed in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu, particularly in the villages of Karadikulam, Puliangudi, Sambavar Vadakarai, Kadaival Uruddi, Chinna Thambi Nadar Oor, Velappa Nadar Oor, Chenthamaram and Surandai. This art form is performed on all occasions. It is performed in temples during ordinary festivals, car festivals. It is also performed in political conferences and processions, flag hoisting ceremonies and other public functions. It is performed on open stages or in public places and on the streets. Generally, it is not performed on the stage because the height of the Aali will give problem.

The performing artistes are normally coming from the community of Devendrar, Adi Dravidar, Arundathiar and in some rare cases people from other castes take up this work. They never depend on this profession. They take it up as part-time job. They are agriculture coolies or labourers.

Women do not take up this art form. The female role is enacted by men. When it is performed in temples, it is considered as temple folk art form and when it is performed in other functions, it is considered as social folk art form.

Normally nine artistes take part in Aali Attam. One is the leader of the group. There are two artistes dancing behind the giant male and female Aalis. Three others will dance with the masks of Tiger, Bear and an old lady. The musical troupe consists of three members playing Thambura, Nahaswaram and Jalra.

Make-up is not necessary for the artistes because they are behind the masks. The dolls (Aalis) are beautifully painted and so is the case of the other masks like the tiger, bear and old lady. The only condition is the man who carries the Aali and dances must be thin and slim.

The art form is enacted during temple car festivals and float-festivals, which are held during the months of Aippasi and Puradasi. There is no restriction for its enactment when it is brought outside the temple. Normally it is performed for 4 hours at a stretch or till the function, for which it is employed, is over. The giant Aali doll dances to the tunes of the music. The movement is controlled by the dancer who carries the giant doll. When the huge doll bends and stretches the audience are thrilled. The main music comes from Nayandi Melam and this is supported by Jalra and Thamburu set.

The dancer requires professional expertise to balance the doll. Only trained artiste can perform it. There will no free air circulation inside the hood. The artiste has to adjust himself with the thin air passage. The leader with years of experience and expertise trains others. The leader conducts the troupe and looks after the doll and musical instruments. He is the custodian of the troupe and handles money matters. He encourages young artistes in the age group of 15 and 20 and gives them necessary training to master the craft. He trains them when he is free. It takes minimum 15 days to maximum one month for the training. After the training, the disciples offer money to the leader (guru). There is no fixed fee for the course. It is left to the giver. He gives the money on the basis of his financial position. The leader accepts whatever is given to him.

The entire gathering becomes the audience. It is a favourite of the children. They like it very much and move with the Aalis till the function is over. No fee or donation is levied from the audience at the time of performance which is held on the streets or at open places.

Remuneration for the troupe is calculated and paid based on the traveling distance from their native place to the place of action. If the place of action is far off, they demand more money. If it is within the reach of their village, they do not demand much. The money thus they get from the organizers is equally shared among the artistes. At times, they get a maximum of Rs.1000/- as remuneration.

Today Aali Attam is sometimes performed during death ceremonies, particularly at the death of very old people.