Watch the ritualistic and social dance, Devarattam of the Kambala Nayakar community of Tamil Nadu.

The main occupation of Nayakars was hunting. The origin of the dance is also reflected in its main form, which is the tracing of the hunting movements by the human body. Today, the movements also reflect household, agricultural and festive activities, which are a part of the daily lives of the people. These movements have been abstracted and stylized in single units of rhythm used repetitively. The percussion instrument Devadhundubhi beats out the rhythm for Devarattam.

It is performed at weddings and other festive and ritual occasions.