Dances add colour to annual fire-walking and chariot procession

A karakattam dancer taking part in the fire-walking ceremony at Arulmigu Sri Ruthra Veeramuthu Maha Mariamman Devasthanam Temple in Ayer Itam, Penang. — Photos: CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

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).