Azhimuri Thira grabs eyeballs

Kozhikode: ‘Azhimuri Thira,’ a form of  ritual dance by the ‘Bhagavati,’  was performed in its full grandeur  at the Edavanakulangara temple festival at Arikkulam near Koyilandy here at 4.30 a.m. on Wednesday. Hundreds of people watched as the  Bhagavati  danced  to the tunes of drum beats on the specially erected wooden crossbar structure which bend to both sides. ‘Azhimuri Thira’ is the sequel of ‘Azhinottam Thira’  which portrays the Bhagavati’s attempt to coerce the Asuras with an intention to kill them.

The specially erected wooden structure (Azhimuri)   consists of four coconut poles erected on the ground and nine poles of arecanut trees fit horizontally, forming 50 wooden windows. The  Bhagavati  Thira climbs  on each of the window, makes  a noise and looks at the God’s idol in the temple on the opposite side of the structure.  The Thira  then moves her hips according to the drum beats and bends  the wooden structure to both sides. The pace of the bend  will increase according to the drum beats.  It is an exciting sight to watch the  structure bending and touching   the ‘Elanji’ tree on both sides of the Kavu with the  Bhagavati  dancing on it.

After an interval, the Thira will change its attire from  Bhagavati  to  Bhadrakali  and continue  the act. In between, the Thira will come down many times and run towards the temple.  “The story  of  Azhimuri Thira  is taken from Devi Mahatmyam.  The structure  keeps bending without break. Each wooden window has its own size and measurement,” said Sukumaran Chalayil, a folklore researcher and retired teacher.  Only the members of  ‘Munnoottan’ (a revered title) family can  perform the Azhimuri Thira.    Rineesh Vilayatoor  has been doing the job for the past five years.