Thumbithullal: a folk entertainment of Onam

Thumbithullal is a folk dance of Kerala. This entertainment dance is performed by girls during festivals like Onam and Thiruvathira.

A girl selected as Thumbi (Thumbi means dragon fly in malayalam) will sit holding a tuft made of plants like Thumba (a small plant with white flowers).

Others who sit around her sing folk songs of speedy rhythm and gently beat her with some leaves. All the young women will be clad in new dress.

In the climax of the song, the girl in the middle begins to dance as in a trance. The dance continues with role of Thumbi changing among the participants.