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The origin of the dance form can be traced to the time of Portuguese invasion and much before that. Margomkali Dance also depicts the life and works of St. Thomas who arrived during 52 A.D. it was during this time that many of the Keralites took up Christianity and it blended with the local culture and rituals.
Margomkali Dance however is not only about narrating the life story of St. Thomas but then it takes the form of a martial play with imaginary swords and shields. In Kerala now this is only performed by women though older men participated in the dance in earlier years. The songs are not accompanied by music and the lyrics date back to years before the Portuguese invasion. The Margomkali Dance is considered to be a religious dance form of the Christians
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Margomkali Dance performed in Kerala is a ritual folk art of the Syrian Christians of Kottayam and Thrissur region in Kerala. In the Margomkali Dance there are about a dozen dancers who dance around the Nilavilakku which is lighted wick lamp which is a traditional symbol of Kerala.
