SEVEN&HALF

SEVEN AND A HALF CHURCHES OF ST.THOMAS : PROF, M.M.NINAN
his help to all those who prayed at his tomb.”
Parichamuttukali,
(Shield hitting dance)
Parichamuttukali, a martial dance art form is performed by men bearing swords and shields.
Apparently some Thomas Christians specialised in Kalaripayattu (martial art) and served the kings
in various states as warriors. These parichamuttu kali follows the movements and steps of
Kalarippayattu.
The dancers are usually dressed in a white loin cloth with red wrist bands and sing in chorus as
they dance. The performers dance with sword and shield on their hands. The group is usually
headed by a leader called Asan around whom the rest of the dancers perform. The dance used to
be performed as a religious offering.
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