Dubai: From young girls to grandmoms, around 1,300 Malayali women in the UAE are gearing up for dancing their way into record books.
They have been rehearsing in 40 different groups at homes, parks and other venues in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman and Al Ain for a few weeks now to perform a mega ‘Thiruvathirakali’, a traditional dance form from the South Indian state of Kerala.
The grand performance will be held as part of Pooram Dubai, an event replicating the mini version of Thrissur Pooram, the most famous cultural festival of Kerala. It will be held at the Etisalat Academy in Dubai on October 27.
“From school girls to grandmas, we are a mix of students, housewives and professionals. There are mothers and daughters performing together just like friends, colleagues, neighbours and relatives who have come together for this mega event,” said Sreerekha Kumar, one of the coordinators.
Malayalam actress and dancer Asha Sharath has choreographed the 15 minute 30 seconds-long performance.
Also known as Kaikottikali, this dance form is performed by women in Kerala irrespective of their religion and caste. The dancers dressed in ethnic Kerala saree — cream colour ‘mundum neryathum’ with golden border — follow a circular pattern while dancing by clapping hands and singing.
The UAE is not unfamiliar with Thiruvathirakali since it is performed at Onam festival celebrations and other events organised by the one million-strong Malayalee community here. In 2013, a mega Thiruvathirakali performance by over 450 participants had been held in Dubai.
“Our aim is to set a new record of performing Thiruvathirakali with the largest number of participants outside India. In 2014, some 500 women had created such a record in Bahrain,” said Smitha Suresh, another coordinator, when the coordinators from various emirates got together for a photo shoot earlier this week.
“We also hope to uphold a traditional dance form in this age of cultural erosion,” said Jaya Gopakumar.
Organisers said they have invited officials from the Guinness World Records and Limca Book of Records to witness the record-breaking attempt. The current Guinness World Record for the largest group performing Thiruvathirakali was given to 6,582 girls and women who performed the dance in Kizhakkambalam in Kerala in May this year. Reports said along with 2,500 women and children from Kerala, women from 20 other Indian states took part in the 16-minute performance.
Apart from this, Pooram Dubai will also showcase various traditional art forms and a ‘kudamaatam,’ the changing of the traditional ornate parasols by mahouts sitting atop elephants. In the absence of live elephants, the organisers are arranging life-size elephant replicas.
