Question

Briefly define “Sollukattu” with a suitable example.

Hint:

Sollukattus are verbal syllables representing rhythmic patterns, essential in percussion and classical dance.

Answer 1

Sollukattu is a rhythmic syllabic composition integral to Carnatic percussion and Bharatanatyam. It employs onomatopoeic syllables that emulate the sounds of percussion instruments, notably the mridangam.

Purpose:

• Serves as a pedagogical tool for teaching rhythm and choreography.
• Facilitates dancers’ assimilation of tala structures and laya.
• Enables mridangists to articulate rhythmic patterns verbally.

Structure:

• Formulated with rhythmic syllables such as ta, dhi, tom, and nam.
• Complexity varies based on the tala and gathi.

Example (Adi Tala Sollukattu):

Tha Dhi Thom Nam | Tha Dhi Thom Nam ||
  

Application in Dance and Music:

• Frequently incorporated into nattuvangam during Bharatanatyam performances.
• Utilized by percussionists for constructing korvais and mora sequences.