Kaikotti Kali Dance

1. Kaikotti Kali Dance Kaikottikali Dance is a ceremonial dance and is often performed during the festive seasons like Thiruvathira and Onam by the regional womenfolk of Kerala. It is a simple and gentle dance with the 'lasya' element forming its main part in overall dance. Sometimes, even men participate in it, where the 'thandava' part is also brought in dance performance occasionally. The Thandava form of this dance form is observed particularly in the regions of Malabar. Thiruvathira as a dance form is a collective performance by women around a traditional wick lamp (Nila Vilakku). A container or Kindi filled with water, Arippara or barrel of rice and Ashtamangalayam (set of eight auspicious elements) are also arranged near the lamp. The dancers co-ordinate their hand movements as they go clapping upwards and downwards in a rhythm, in tune with the songs that they are singing. Women are seen dressed in traditional Kerala attire. It may be either two pieces of cloth called Mundu Neriyathu or a Kerala sari. The dancers tie their hair in a bun and decorate it with jasmine flowers and a small bunch of Dasapushpam (10 sacred flowers). The dance performance usually begins in praise of Ganesha followed by a prayer to Saraswati called Saraswati Vandanam. Songs in praise of Siva and Vishnu, folk tales and Kathakali songs are also performed by singers in the background. The dancers move in a circle, making both fast and slow movements in a graceful manner according to the rhythm of the song. Ceremonies begin with the eating of a special meal called Ettangadi on Makairyam day, the day before Thiruvathira day. The ingredients of Ettangadi are sorghum, yam, kachil, berry, yam, lentil, sugar, and honey. It is eaten the

2. night before. But this ceremony is not observed today. Drink water and charcoal water. Dasapushkas are collected in front of the house during the day. Thiruvathirakali starts after sunset. After Thiruvathira nakshatramudhi at midnight, the dancers sing devotional songs and bring dasa flowers along with Ashtamangalyam holding the lamp to the house. Later they wear these flowers in their hair. This is called half-breeding. The flowers are lit by singing songs praising the deities of each flower. Crows are also seen