: Thiruvathirakali remained traditionally performed by women in their homes on the day of Thiruvathira in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December-January) before thousands started performing it in open grounds, mostly aimed at hitting the record books.
From the ‘revolutionary thiruvathira’ staged at the 21st State meet of the CPI (M) to the performance involving over 5, 000 persons at Irinjalakuda in February, Thiruvathirakali seems branching out from its traditional domains. But many including noted art and dance exponents are worried as they pointed out that such events will only help in diluting the essence of the popular dance form.
“How can we achieve perfection when 5,000 people are performing Thiruvathira? asked Kala Vijayan, Mohiniyattom exponent. “The traditional Thiruvathira performance has its own methodology and grammar. We have already lost it with diluted and trimmed versions being staged in youth festivals and events held with the sole aim of entering the record books,” she said.
Prof. M. Balasubramoniam, noted Mridangam exponent and former Principal of R. L.V College of Music and Fine Arts, said that these diluted forms will only help in destroying the traditional dance form. “I seriously doubt how we can follow the traditional circular, pirouetting pattern when 1,000 persons perform Thiruvathirakali. This is not the way to popularise the art,” he said.
Malathy G. Menon, noted Thiruvathira expert, expressed doubts whether the dance form’s traditional style could be ensured when thousands perform it, especially for the record books.
“But it could be done, if we practice the dance rigorously while sticking to the original movements and form. Care must be taken not to perform Thiruvathirakali just to enter the Guinness records,” she said. A key organiser and dancer of the mega Thiruvathirakali staged at Irinjalakuda admitted that they had received criticism from various quarters for diluting the original form. But we must also realise that more people irrespective of their age should come forward and learn Thiruvathirakali. Our attempt was to promote the dance form, she said.
