Poorakkali - 4

Presented here is an excerpt from a Poorakkali performance. The dancers praise Lord Krishna: ‘Vasudeva, Hari O, Hari,…thus I worship with joined palms…I worship the husband of Goddess Lakshmi who dwells in the abode of Gods…I humbly present before this gathering, the story of Krishna’s and Arjuna’s victory’

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 play the dance and the performance is around a lighted traditional lamp.