Margam Kali is an art form found among the Syrian Christians in and around Kottayam, Kerala

Houston Knanaya Catholic Society

Margam Kali

Margam Kali is an art form found among the Syrian Christians in and around Kottayam, Kerala. The word Margam means “way” or “path”. This art had essentially been a medium of religious propagation. References are seen in ramban songs about this art form. Margam kali is performed at the festival occasions of Church and marriages of Suriyani Christians.

The theme of the dance is the stories related to the life and contributions of St.Thomas. This is a group dance with a group of dancers move rhythmically around a lighted wick lamp. The dancers sing for themselves without any accompanying instruments. The Asan or tutor leads the singing and the language used has a tint of Tamil.

Twelve men or women stand around a lighted nilavilakku and dance with song. Song and chuvadu (steps) have equal importance. They dance fourteen padangal with different songs. The costume used are White dhoti, banian and talekkettu (turban) for men and the traditional chattayum mundum of the Christian community for women. Lighting of nilavilakku and rangavandanam are the preliminary rituals. Titthaka thintha, mukkanni, kaccappatta and irattappadam are the important chuvadukal.

St. Thomas, the disciple of Christ reached India to spread his messages. His travel, wonderful deeds and death are depicted in the fourteen padams. Certain historical facts related to the Old Testament and old churches are seen in the songs of margamkali.