Mudi-āttam is an art form once prevalent, but now disappearing, in Central Travancore in Kerala

Kerala

or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....

. This is performed by the Pulaya and Paraya (Sambava) castes. Originally a fertility-dance, this is now staged as a community entertainment. Young women are the exponents of this. They should have long hair and should number a dozen. Songs are sung to the accompaniment of Karu

Karu

Karu may refer to:* Karu, Estonia* Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria** Karu Urban Area* Karu Nadu, South West India* Karu süda , a 2001 Estonian film* Erkki Karu , Finnish film director, screenwriter and producer...

, Maram (in ancient times) Thudi, Udukku, and Maddalom. In tune with the rhythm and the trend of the song the women sway about, in different patterns, swinging their loosened hair. The founder of this art form is believed to be Pooyinkalamma, the First Mother of the Parayas.

Karu, Maram, Thudi, Uduku and Maddalam are percussion instruments.

A prominent exponent of this art form is Mariamma Chedathy

Mariamma Chedathy

Mariamma Chedathy also known as Mariamma John was a Dalit grandmother, a well-known folklorist from the state of Kerala in India. Mariamma Chedathy died on 31 August 2008.-Folklorist:...

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