Parichamuttukali - the warrior dance of yore

Parichamuttukali is a type of folk dance in Kerala, South India where the dancers hold shields and swords and dance around a large five-wick lighted oil lamp. The steps of the dance and the themes of the songs have martial art connotations and the dance form is believed to be older than the famous martial art of Kerala known as Kalarippayattu.

The dance is popular in the southern districts of Kerala like Kottayam and Ernakulam and in the northern district of Malappuram. Cymbals, known as ilathalam locally is the only accompaniment to the dance.