How Extreme Heat Affects Women: Kattaikuthu Meets Climate Change

How does extreme heat affect women, children and vulnerable communities? This video explores Veppathin Veriyattam: A Frenzied Dance of Heat, a Kattaikuthu performance developed by Thilagavathi Palani of Thilagam Theatre Group in collaboration with Asar. Through music, humour and storytelling, the performance brings the everyday impacts of extreme heat and climate change to life, including their effects on women’s lives, children’s wellbeing and daily routines. Presented at the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation’s Annual Conference 2026, the video explores how traditional art and culture can make climate conversations more accessible.