Ummattat is a folk art form of
Karnataka. It is usually performed by the women folk, to memorize the appearance of
Lord Vishnu as Mohini during the distribution of ‘amruta’ (nectar) at the time of 'samudra manthan’, the churning motif.
It is usually played in the Kodava region of Kodagu District. The dancers will dress up like Mohini by wearing the Kodava national dress, jewelry ribbon on the forehead, and kumkum. Rhythmic songs are sung by the performers, and they dance according to the beats of the brass cymbals. A woman will stand at the center of the dancers with a pot of water, representing the deity ‘Kaveri’.
