10,000-strong 'Mega Thiruvathirakali' with eyes on world record to unfold in Thrissur tomorrow

Thrissur: Eyeing a new world record, the cultural capital of Kerala will host a 'Mega Thiruvathirakali' which will see 10,000 people performing the art form on Wednesday evening.

The district administration informed that the 'Mega Thiruvathirakali', being held as part of the district-level Onam celebrations, will take place at Kuttanellur Government College ground around 4 pm.

Under the leadership of the Kudumbashree district mission, 10,000 members from all the Community Development Societies (CDS) in the district are being mobilised for the record-setting event.

This is the first time that a Thiruvathirakali will be performed by such a huge number of people. The current world record is held by a group that performed with 6,582 dancers.

Representatives of Limca Book of Records and Talent World Records will be present at the venue to judge the new record-setting dance performance.

The Kudumbashree artists participating in the 'Mega Thiruvathirakali' have been trained by N V Friji, who has received the Vajra Jubilee Fellowship from the Government of Kerala.

The participants have been undergoing training sessions in various CDS for the past 10 days, said the organisers.

The dancers will reach the specially prepared stage at the college ground around 2 pm. By 3 pm, they will start the rehearsal.

The 10-minute performance, where dancers will be moving in graceful and rhythmical ways to the tune of Thiruvathira songs in unison, will be inaugurated by Revenue Minister K Rajan by lighting the Bhadradeepam (lamp), according to the organisers.

Special guests, including ministers, mayors, MPs and MLAs will watch the 'Mega Thiruvathirakali'.

After the record-breaking event, another Thiruvathirakali, performed by 1,000 people, will be staged at the Thekkinkad Maidan, the main stage of the district-level Onam celebrations at 5 pm.

A musical programme led by playback singer Akbar Khan, comedy skits and a special show led by movie star Tini Tom are also part of the district's Onam celebrations.