Kauthuvam
கவுத்துவம்TamilSay it: ka · vuth · thu · vam
- th — a soft t with the tongue against the teeth, not the English 'th'
A short invocatory hymn danced to a deity
RepertoireBharatanatyam
Meaning
A kauthuvam is a hymn to a deity such as Nataraja or Vinayaka, mixing rhythmic syllables with meaningful lines. Kauthuvams were once danced in temple ritual and processions; today one is often performed as an opening piece, sometimes in place of a shabdam.
Also written: kavithuvam, kautvam, kowthuvam