Khushi, however, feels the festival scene is pepping up as many Gujaratis relocated to work at the Vizhinjam port. “Also, the interest of Malayalis in the dance form is increasing. There are many places now where the dance is held during Navaratri,” she says.

Khushi had conducted a three-day workshop, teaching the nuances of the dance form.

Legend is that the artform is a replica of the mythological battle between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura. The dandiya sticks represent the sword of Durga. The dance also has a flow of joy (or ras), which is symbolically related to the dance of Krishna with gopis.