Thumbithullal is one among the folk dances of Kerala commonly performed during Onam and Thiruvathira. It is generally performed by Keralite girls during the above specified festivals. How is this folk dance performed? This is a common question heard from people of new generation. In this folk dance forms, a girl is generally selected as Thumbi.
Girl is given a tuft made of Thumba plant to perform the dance. At present, Thumba plant is very rarely seen in Kerala. Girl holding Thumba is surrounded by women holding some leaves. They will sing folk songs in speedy rhythm so as to perform the dance performance. Young women are given new dresses to perform this folk dance.
What will happen in the climax? This is another frequent question heard from new generation. The girl sitting in the middle will begin to dance as in a trance now. As time goes, role of Thumbi will change from one participant to another. It is generally performed during the Onam season in Kerala.
Traditional sarees, jewelries for thumbithullal
Generally six to seven women will take part in this dance performance. All the performers are given traditional sarees to perform this folk dance. Apart from traditional saree, women are also given jwellary to perform dance. Clapping the hands is a feature of this traditional folk dance.
All ladies sitting around the woman depicted as Thumbi will clap their hands during dance. Today, Thumbi Thullal can be seen only in the rural areas of Kerala. Events and dance performance like this art forms are disappearing fast as time goes. Hence it is our duty to safeguard these traditional dance performances of Kerala.
Folk songs in Thumi Thullal
We had already seen that Thumbi Thullal is performed with folk songs. One among the best sung songs by Thumbi Thullal include Onnam thumbiyum oru pattam makkalum. If you are planning to celebrate Onan festival, feel free to include folk dances like Thumbi Thullal. In this manner, we can safeguard our disappearing dance forms of Kerala.
More articles: Onam 2015