VADAMODI AND THENMODIK-KOOTHU

THE KOOTHU FORMS OF VADAMODI AND THENKMODI: We can have the Vadamoedi and Thenmoedi Koothu forms alone as the classical forms belonging to the classical tradition of the Eelam Tamils. In particular, the Koothu-forms performed in Mattakalappu have these characteristics and featres. This is the reason why Professor Vidhyanandhan who was involved in renewing the traditional Koothu-forms staged the Matakalappu Koothu-forms in the University of Peraadhanai. In Music as well as in dance the two Modis have significant differences. The koothu forms of Vadamoedi are more minutely shaped than the koothu forms of Thenmoedi. Vadamoedi koothu-forms have elegance and beauty. In the koothu-forms of Thenmoedi the songs would be sung in a dragging manner while in Vadamoedi the actor would read the ‘Thampaatu’ and the accompanying musician would finish singing it. In Thenmodi the last portion alone would be sung by the accompanying musician and then he would sing the ‘Tharu’ for the entire song. When each and every character appears on the stage they would play different ‘thaalaas on their drums(Mathalam). When those ‘thaalaas’ would be recited that would be called ‘Padhavarisai Thaalakkattu. The way the Thaalaas for the dance would be woven with the help of alignments of words is known as Thaalakattu. Annaaviyaar would recite this Thalakattu repeatedly, during the arrival of the characters on stage. Eight times, twelve times – so, according to the mood of the Annaaviyaar the number of times would vary. These Thalakkattugal would be different for male and female characters and also they would reflect the distinct differences among the characters. The Thalakkattugal exclusive for men would be on the line of ULAA, PODIYADI, VEESAANAM, ETTU, NAALADI, KUTHUMIDHI, PAACHAL. The Thalakkattugal for womenfolk would be in the order of OYYAARAM, PODIYADI. VEESAANAM, ETTU, THATTADI, ADANDHAI, KUTHUNILAI. The skill, expertise and beauty of the dance-forms of Vadamoedi would be revealed through the footsteps and bhavas that would be unfolded in this Thalakkattu. It is the dances of these Thalakkattu that lend life and beauty to Vadamoedi and Thenmoedi. It is these dances that distinctly differentiate them from other dance-forms and thy also enable them to attain their due artistic value and Classical nature.