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.
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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 night before. But this
ceremony is not observed today. Drink water and charcoal water.
