|
 Kerala
India Vacations offers you a glimpse of Thiruvathirakali, a very
popular Kerala classical dance form that is performed by women during
the Thiruvathira festival. Kerala India Vacations offers online tour
booking for those eager to learn more about Kerala traditions, culture
and art forms.
Thiruvathirakali is performed during the night of the
Thiruvathira celebrations that is held during the Malayalam month of
Dhanu. Women stay awake all night as they keep vigil for Lord Shiva to
come. To keep themselves occupied during the night the women indulge in
Oonjalattom i.e. swinging on a swing and perform Thiruvathirakali.
Thiruvathirakali is also known as Kaikottikali and is an
interesting expression of the Kerala culture. The attractively dressed
Kerala women gather around a brightly lit brass lamp and clap their
hands in rhythm with the songs they sing while they display enchanting
footwork. According to a popular Kerala legend a Thiruvathirakali dance
performance brought the deity of love, Kamadeva back to life after Lord
Shiva's ire reduced him to ashes.
This lively dance is a celebration of marital fidelity and is
supposedly an expression of the female energy. The dance follows a
circular, swiveling pattern accompanied by clapping of the hands and
lyrical singing.
| 
