T
Thomas48
Guest
Dear Friends,
One of the most ancient traditions still kept by the Syrian Christians of Kerala is Margam Kali. “Margam” translates to “The Way” or “The Path” and “Kali” means “dance” or “play”. These titles reference to The Way or Path of St. Thomas. The entire dance which is accompanied by specific songs, symbols, and drums is supposed to represent the acts of St. Thomas as he was proselytizing Kerala.
Margam Kali is often performed by six dancers and a singer. They dance the “The Way” around a Nilavilku or St. Thomas Cross-Lamp to specific steps accompanied by distinct Margam Kali songs. When performing the dance, female Margam Kali groups always where the Chatayum Mundu which is the distinct white traditional sari worn only by the Syrian Christians in Kerala. Margam Kali was historically danced by men and boys but eventually the privilege was also given to women and is mainly practiced by them today. Today Margam Kali is performed generally by the St. Thomas Christians at cultural events and by the Knanaya as apart of the marriage celebrations.
http://nasrani.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/margamkali-female-9.jpg http://www.eambalam.com/samaagamaa/.../AAAAAAAAAA8/M-4pnzeuJ7o/s400/MARGAM+KALI.jpg
Margam Kali Videos:
youtube.com/watch?v=7Z-9cWS0yeg
youtube.com/watch?v=sVMoHbLgqi0
One of the most ancient traditions still kept by the Syrian Christians of Kerala is Margam Kali. “Margam” translates to “The Way” or “The Path” and “Kali” means “dance” or “play”. These titles reference to The Way or Path of St. Thomas. The entire dance which is accompanied by specific songs, symbols, and drums is supposed to represent the acts of St. Thomas as he was proselytizing Kerala.
Margam Kali is often performed by six dancers and a singer. They dance the “The Way” around a Nilavilku or St. Thomas Cross-Lamp to specific steps accompanied by distinct Margam Kali songs. When performing the dance, female Margam Kali groups always where the Chatayum Mundu which is the distinct white traditional sari worn only by the Syrian Christians in Kerala. Margam Kali was historically danced by men and boys but eventually the privilege was also given to women and is mainly practiced by them today. Today Margam Kali is performed generally by the St. Thomas Christians at cultural events and by the Knanaya as apart of the marriage celebrations.
http://nasrani.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/margamkali-female-9.jpg http://www.eambalam.com/samaagamaa/.../AAAAAAAAAA8/M-4pnzeuJ7o/s400/MARGAM+KALI.jpg
Margam Kali Videos:
youtube.com/watch?v=7Z-9cWS0yeg
youtube.com/watch?v=sVMoHbLgqi0