Thiruvathirakkali is a folk dance performed by women. The art form is typically a Keralite one in its essence, grandeur and simplicity.
This folk dance is performed on certain religious occasions also. As a ritual it is performed on the Thiruvathira asterism in the month of Dhanu, according to the Malayalam calendar. It is on the same day that Lord Siva promised Goddess Parvati to make her his consort.
Hence the day has much significance among the Hindus. While married women dance for marital bliss, unmarried take part to get a good husband.
There is another legend associated with Thiruvathira. Lord Shiva who was in deep meditation was disturbed by Kamadeva (Cupid) who sent arrows to make Lord Shiva fall in love with Parvati. An angry Shiva opened his fierce ‘third eye’ and Kamadeva was burnt to ashes.
Later Paravati visited Kamadeva’s bereaved wife Rati and promised her to give life to her husband. Since this promise was made on Thiruvathira day women began to celebrate the day, says this version of the legend.
In the dance, eight or ten women rhythmically move around a lighted Nilavilakku (a wick lamp) singing and clapping their hands. A particular genre of songs called Thiruvathirappaattu is meant solely for this graceful dance.
The dancers will be clad in traditional Kerala attire with gold brocade attached to it and wear jasmine garlands on their heads.
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