Thiruvathirakali is performed around a lamp called as Nilavilakku by women dancers and they dance in a circular movement clapping their hands and singing. The leader of the group sings the first line of the song and the others in the troupe sing it in chorus. Today Thiruvathirakali has become a popular dance for all occasions especially Onam festivals.
Art
Thiruvathirakali
History of Thiruvathirakali
Thiruvathirakali is a ritual dance performed by women to attain everlasting marital bliss and as a celebration of marital fidelity and the female energy. According to the legend and it is believed that performance like Thiruvathirakali brought back Kamadeva the god of love back to life after he was reduced to ashes by Lord Shiva.
How to perform
Thiruvathirakali is performed by a group of 8 to 10 women dancers who performs it with great coordination. They move in a circular pattern in clockwise and anticlockwise direction using slow and fast movements in a graceful manner clapping their hands and singing. While performing importance is given to body movement rather than gestures.
Famous artists from kerala
- Thiruvathirakali is performed by women from all walks of life irrespective of age.
