Dramas in Tamil History

The stages were used for different types of dances specific for the regions, e.g., Aychiyar Kuravai Kuravaik kUtthu, KoRRavaik The dances were, in essence an enactment of mythological legends. They were also used for conveying thanks to the deities for good rains and crops or paying homage to the valour or patronage of Kings and chieftains. iLango atikaL had portrayed various kinds of dances performed in the different regions in several chapters
The dancers for whom dancing was a hereditary avocation were called ViRaliar and KUtthar. The singers who accompanied them were called PANar Even at this early point in history, there was a distinction between the high form of dancing performed before the elites and those meant for the recreation of the rural folks.
When the Bhakthi movement was at its peak, stories pertaining to the godheads were played on the stage. Up to the medieval period, the Thamizh stage was used mainly as a forum for dances. This tradition continued till the 18th or 19th century when dance dramas; rAma n^Atakam were performed on the stage.
Other kinds of dance dramas included the PaLLu n^Atakam which is the dance drama performed by those in the agricultural sector describing themes specific to agrarian conditions e.g., MukkUdal paLLu by ennayinAp pulavar, n^ondip paLLu by MArimutthup pulavar is a humorous political satire. With the arrival of the Europeans into the subcontinent, the definition of 'stage' began to assume a different meaning. By this time, Shakespearean plays became popular throughout the English speaking world.