1,200 women to dance their way to world record

DUBAI: As many as 1,200 Keralite women will perform a traditional South Indian dance in Dubai later this month in an attempt to set a Guinness record for the biggest ensemble of Thiruvathirakali dancers outside India.

For the past two months nearly 40 UAE-based individual groups comprising housewives, professionals and students have been practicing the dance moves for the highly-anticipated event which will be held at Dubai’s Etisalat Academy in Muhaisanah on October 27.

“Sometime back Bahrain had attempted a similar feat with 500 dancers. We are happy to have gathered more than twice that number for the symmetric group dance,” said organiser Sreerekha Kumar.

The record bid will be held on the sidelines of the traditional Pooram festival, said marketing executive Smitha Suresh who is also among the organisers.

How it all started

According to the organisers, the idea to go for a Guinness world record originated when Crystal Top Events decided to organise a mega carnival called 'Pooram Dubai 2017' and include Thiruvathirakali in their programmes.

“The response was overwhelming. Soon the word spread and many groups came forward to sign up for the record breaking attempt,” said Jaya Gopakumar, another organiser.

Inventory Administrator Sheena Fathima Anzad, who represents an Abu Dhabi group, said she has been practising regularly to ensure a good show. “We’ve taken time out from our jobs to prepare for the big day,” she said.

The dance is choreographed by movie artist Asha Sarath through her Dubai-based academy Kairali Kalakendra.

“For the uninitiated, Thiruva-thirakali, also known as Kaik-ottikkali, is a popular dance performed by women to attain everlasting marital bliss.

The women are dressed in white sarees with gold embroidered borders and decked in gold jewellery. The dance follows a circular, pirouetting pattern accompanied by hand clapping and singing.

The writer is an Abu Dhabi-based freelancer