Poikkal Kudirai Aattam is the Dummy Horse Dance of Tamil Nadu where the dancer bears the dummi figure of a horse's body on his/her hips. This is made of light-weighted materials and the cloth at the sides swings to and fro covering the legs of the dancer. The dancer dons wooden legs which sound like the hooves of the horse. The dancer brandishes either a sword or a whip. This folk dance needs much training and skill. This dance is accompanied by Naiyandi melam or Band music. The dance is mythologically connected to the worship of Ayyanar, and prevails mainly around Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu.