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 used in Carnatic percussion and Bharatanatyam. It consists of onomatopoeic syllables that mimic the sounds produced by percussion instruments like the mridangam. Purpose:

Used for teaching rhythm and choreography.
Helps dancers internalize tala structures and laya.
Enables mridangists to verbally present rhythmic patterns.
Structure:

Composed using rhythmic syllables like \texttt{ta, \texttt{dhi, \texttt{tom, \texttt{nam, etc.
Can be simple or complex, depending on the tala and gathi.
Example (Adi Tala Sollukattu): \begin{verbatim Tha Dhi Thom Nam | Tha Dhi Thom Nam || \end{verbatim Use in Dance and Music:

Common in nattuvangam during Bharatanatyam.
Used by percussionists for korvais and mora structures.