UNIQUE traditional Indian folk dances stole the limelight at the fire-walking ceremony and chariot procession at Arulmigu Sri Ruthra Veeramuthu Maha Mariamman Devasthanam Temple in Ayer Itam, Penang.
For the first time at the annual event, the temple brought in a full set of dancers to perform the Karakattam (balancing pots on the head), Puliyattam (Tiger dance), Mayilattam (Peacock dance) and Urumi Melam (traditional drum-beating).
The Karakattam is an ancient folk dance of Tamil Nadu in praise of the goddess Mariamman. It is derived from Bharatham and is a mixture of multiple forms like the Bharathanatyam postures.
“What makes the dance unique at the festival is the Karakkattam dancers walking across a heap of burning charcoal,” said A. Ellangovan, a former Karakattam dancer from Ipoh, Perak.
“Balancing a pot on the head while braving the hot charcoal is a delicate task,” he added on Sunday.
Another top attraction was the Puliyattam dancers who wore masks and painted their entire body with dots and stripes for a tiger dance.
Temple chairman Datuk N. Letchumanasamy said the temple was lucky to get a full set of 50 dancers from the Penang mainland for the festival this year.
“The crowd was the biggest this year with more than 20,000 devotees thronging the temple since dawn to perform their vows.
“About 300 people carried paal kudam (milk pots) and broke coconuts.”
Letchumanasamy said 200 people also took part in the fire-walking ceremony held in the evening.
The temple’s brightly lit chariot carrying the statue of the deity of Maha Mariamman reached the temple late in the evening after starting its journey from Ayer Itam via Kampung Melayu and Bandar Baru Ayer Itam.
The guest of honour was Ayer Itam assemblyman Wong Hon Wai.
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