Nadagam Folk Theatre Tradition of Tiruppur Region

Nadagam (folk drama) is a popular theatrical form of the Kongu Nadu region performed at village festivals, temple events, and during the Tamil month of Aadi. Troupes based in Tiruppur and surrounding towns perform all-night plays dramatising stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and local saint legends such as Nandanar. Performers use elaborate painted make-up, traditional costumes, and exaggerated physical acting styles. The performances include improvisational comedy (buffoon characters), songs composed in the folk style, and spectacular special effects using pyrotechnics. Traditionally performed on open-air earth stages with oil-lamp lighting, many Nadagam troupes now perform on elevated truck-based stages with generator-powered lighting.