Kaikottikali – The Metrognome

2,639 women danced at Dombivali this year, and the event made its way to the Guinness Book of World Records. Here’s how.

by The Diarist | thediarist@themetrognome.in

It was a sight for the Gods and those recording momentous achievements. On November 10 this year, the well-lit KDMC Grounds in Dombivli played host to a Kaikottikali dance event, in which a stunning 2,639 women danced to synchronised steps. The women – girls as young as 13, a woman as old as 74 and all ages in between – were dressed alike in traditional Kerala cream-coloured saris, and the performance, while astonishing in its scope, was good enough to qualify as an entry to the Guinness Book of World Records this year.

Speaking to The Metrognome, event coordinator Girish Nair (36, pictured at left), explained the logistical planning that went into making the record. “Last year’s dance (also at the Mumbai Pooram, a three-day annual Kerala festival) made it to the Limca Book of Records. After that, we decided to try for the Guinness Book of World Records. Accordingly, we started preparing for the event since January last year.”

The actual preparations involved making a video of the dance steps, so that all participants could study the video and learn the choreography. “We got the visuals for the dance set up, finalised the dress code for the dance, and then started meeting the Samajams in the city,” Girish explained. The Samajams are located wherever south Indians reside in reasonably large numbers, and apart from the big 30 to 35 Samajams in the city, there are several smaller ones as well.

“We asked them to spread the word about the event, and get women to participate,” Nair said. “We even went to temples to inform about the event. And not just Malayalis, but even Muslims, Biharis, UPites and Maharashtrians entered their names for the event.” However, despite a registration of 2,800 names, only 2,639 women participated – the dropouts were mostly college students appearing for exams.

Dancing to a new record

The managing committee registered on the Guinness World Records website. “We submitted the application, after which they scrutinised the entry and approved it. After this, they told us that an adjudicator would come down to see the event – we paid £4,500 for a team of five to come and see the performance. They came down to see the dance.”

And a Guinness World Record was made.

(Pictures courtesy Girish Nair)

Dombivali may create Guinness World Record today

Mumbai Pooram event will see a record 3,500 Kaikottikali dancers perform at Dombivali tonight for a shot at Guinness glory.

by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Dombivali is all geared up for a massive dance show tonight – the KDMC Grounds will witness a historic 3,500 dancers, all of them from different parts of Mumbai and all of them originally from Kerala – where a massive but coordinated Kaikottikali dance performance will be put up on the first-day of a three-day annual cultural fest celebrating Kerala. The show might put the dancers and the event in the Guinness Book of World Records; officials from the organisation will be present to witness the performance for synchronisation and overall presentation.

Interestingly, all ages from years 13 and above are allowed to participate, so the group of dancers will be a motley mix of teenagers, mothers and even grandmothers.

The Metrognome spoke to a participant from Bhandup’s Usha Nagar, Madhuri Prathap (40), a Bharatnatyam dance teacher who, with nine of her students, will perform today. “A college friend of mine was one of the organisers for the event, and she told me to enter as many of my students as I could,” Madhuri said, adding that the call to participate for the event was made by two coordinators, who went to each Kerala samajam in Mumbai to stress on the fact that this time, the event could try for an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records. Interestingly, the feat has already been performed last year and has won an entry in the Limca Book of Records.

“Last Sunday we had a mega rehearsal at Dombivali, where at least 2,000 dancers turned up to practice. We are nervous but very excited to be a part of such a historic event,” Madhuri beamed. “It’s a dream come true to be a part of it.”

About the event

Modelled on the lines of Kerala’s ‘Thrissur Pooram’, Kerala’s most famous temple festival held every year, the Mumbai Pooram is celebrated as a three-day extravaganza with dance performances, laser shows, pyrotechnics, food festivals and exhibitions, among others. Mumbai Pooram is reportedly the biggest Kerala festival held outside that State.

The Kaikottikali is a group dance comprising girls and women dressed in traditional Kerala saris. The mega dance event is called the Dhathri Maha Kaikottikali and has been approved by the Guinness Book of World Records as a viable attempt at creating a record.

(Picture courtesy www.downvids.com)