ARJUNA NRITHAM

Arjuna Nritham or say Arjuna dance is an art ritual performed only in Devi temples. The performance is solo or in pair.

Arjuna, the most brilliant and valiant of five Panadava brothers, the heroes of Mahabharata epic had once propitiated Badrakaali by a devotional dance. Arjuna Nritham is reminiscent of it. In some regions, Arjuna Nritham is known as Mayilpeeli Nritham. This is because the costume is made from  Mayilpeeli (peacock feathers)

The costume worn around the waist is in a similar fashion of Kathakali.

In addition to the specific costume, the performer wears headgear and his face is colored green.

The songs themed from ancient scriptures are rhythm based. As against other art rituals, in Arjuna Nritham, the performer explains the modalities of the rhythm and the way it is adopted in dance movements. The dance movements have close resemblances with Kalaripayattu.

Musical instruments used are Chenda, Maddalam, Talachenda and Ialathalam.