
Duffmuttu (also: Dubhmuttu) is an art form prevalent in the
Malabar region of the states of
Kerala
Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...
and
Karnataka
Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...
in
south India
South India, also known as Southern India or Peninsular India, is the southern part of the Deccan Peninsula in India encompassing the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana as well as the union territories of ...
. It derives its name from the
duff, a
percussion instrument
A percussion instrument is a musical instrument that is sounded by being struck or scraped by a percussion mallet, beater including attached or enclosed beaters or Rattle (percussion beater), rattles struck, scraped or rubbed by hand or ...
made of wood and ox skin. The word duff is of
Arabic
Arabic (, , or , ) is a Central Semitic languages, Central Semitic language of the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family spoken primarily in the Arab world. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) assigns lang ...
origin and is also called a ''thappitta''.
Duffmuttu is performed as social entertainment and to commemorate festivals, ''uroos'' (festivals connected with
mosque
A mosque ( ), also called a masjid ( ), is a place of worship for Muslims. The term usually refers to a covered building, but can be any place where Salah, Islamic prayers are performed; such as an outdoor courtyard.
Originally, mosques were si ...
s) and weddings. Duffmuttu can be performed at any time of the day. A ''duffmuttu'' performance usually consists of ten members who stand or sit facing each other singing songs and swaying their bodies to the tempo of the song which is set by the rhythmic beats of the ''duff''.

Duffmuttu songs are a tribute to
Islam
Islam is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...
ic heroes and martyrs. The lead player also leads the troupe in song while the others provide the chorus. The dancers drum the duff with their fingers or palms and while moving rhythmically often toss them over their heads. A closely related art form is the Aravana Muttu or Arabana Muttu that uses a drum called arabana that is similar to the duff.
Gallery
File:Duffmuttu IUHSS Parappur 01.jpg, Young Duffmuttu Artists
File:Duffmuttu IUHSS Parappur 06.jpg, Duffmuttu Artists
File:Duffmuttu20180219110544 25 1.jpg, Duffmuttu
File:Duffmuttu IUHSS Parappur 04.jpg, Young Duffmuttu Artists from Kerala School Kalolsavam
File:Dafmut IMG 1345.jpg, Traditional Duffmuttu
See also
*
Aravana muttu
*
Kuthu Ratheeb
*
Mappila
*
Oppana
References
Dances of Kerala
Kerala music
Mappilas
{{India-music-stub
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