Presented here is an excerpt from a Poorakkali performance. The dancers pray for Lord Krishna’s blessings. “O, Hari, Narayana, Vasudeva… I pray…May my mind always dwell upon… May Saraswathi the Goddess of learning always dance upon my tongue…May you yellow clad Lord Krishna dance in my mind.”

Poorakkali is a ritual art form of Kerala. This dance is performed as a ritual at many temples dedicated to Goddess Devi in the Kannur and Kasaragod districts of the state. Only men do the dance and the performance is around a lighted traditional lamp.