Nataraja
NatyaNetwork
Log InJoin Free

Kuravanji

குறவஞ்சி
TamilSay it: ku · ṟa · vany · ji
  • ṟ — a quick tapped r

A Tamil dance-drama centred on the kuratti fortune-teller

RepertoireBharatanatyam

Meaning

Kuravanji is a Tamil literary dance-drama genre. A heroine pining for a god or king is visited by the kuratti, a fortune-teller of the hill people, who reads her palm and foretells their union. Best known is the Thirukkutrala Kuravanji; the form was revived on the Bharatanatyam stage in the twentieth century.

Also written: kuravanchi, kuravanji natakam, kurathi

Sources

Related words

Sadirசதிர்The older name of the dance that became BharatanatyamDevadasiदेवदासीWomen dedicated to temple service, hereditary keepers of danceAlarippuஅலாரிப்புThe opening item — the body unfolding, like a flower.PadamపదంA slow expressional piece, usually of love or devotion.Jathiswaramजतिस्वरम्Pure dance set to musical notes, with no words.Margamमार्गम्The traditional order of a Bharatanatyam recital.

Know this differently, or know it better? Traditions vary and we would rather be corrected — tell us.

Connect. Learn. Celebrate.