Kuravai, Kuṟavai: 1 definition

Introduction:

Kuravai means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Tamil. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (natya)

Kuṟavai refers to a “dance in a circle prevalent among the women of hill tracts” and represents one of the seven types of kuttu (dance) as defined in the first book of the Pañcamarapu which deals with niruttam (dance, one of the sixty–four arts).—The Pañcamarapu (“five-fold traditional usage”) represents an important piece of Tamil literature and was composed by Cerai Aṟivanār in the 9th century AD during the time of Pandyan Tirumaran of the last Caṅkam Period.

Kuṟavai is also defined in the Tolkāppiyam (2nd century BC): a source book on linguistic and grammatical study, social anthropology, psychology and cultural ecology, representing an important piece of Tamil literature.—Kuṟavai is of two types–munter-kuṟavai and pinter-kuṟavai. Munter-kuṟavai is a dance in which the victorious king stands on the chariot, joins hands with his soldiers and dances. Pinter-kuṟavai is a dance in which the maravar and viṟaliyar stand behind the chariot of the victorious king and dance praising the king. This comprises ārabhaṭi-vṛṭṭi, in which valorous men are the heroes. On the whole, this could have been a fast, rhythmic and noisy roaring dance.

Natyashastra book cover
context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

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