: Performances often include acrobatic displays and playful interactions with the audience, sometimes depicting royal themes or mythological stories.
This ancient art form, also known as (Horse Dance), is deeply rooted in the rural traditions of South India. Historically, it was performed to honor village deities, particularly Ayyanar , the protective guardian god often depicted riding a white horse. Over centuries, the dance evolved from a religious ritual into a celebrated form of entertainment performed at temple festivals, weddings, and cultural processions across Tamil Nadu. The Craftsmanship Behind the Horse poikkal kuthirai
: The term is well-known in the Tamil film industry, notably as the title of the 1983 comedy film Poikkal Kuthirai directed by K. Balachander , as well as a more recent 2022 action film. : Performances often include acrobatic displays and playful