KOCHI - An Egyptian dancer, Khalid Zohdy and his five-year-old daughter, Mariyam perform a traditional Sufi dance in a bid to share their cultural heritage known as ‘Tanoura’ dance during the festive season of ‘Onam’ in Kochi.

The event was organized in a mall in Kochi. Twirling in their long colourful skirts, they left the spectators spell bound.

“People all over the world love this form of Sufi dance known as Tanoura. They enjoy it a lot; I have been performing here in India since two years. I hope that they enjoyed our performance here too,” said Zohdy.

Zohdy is a professional folklore dancer who has been travelling in Gulf countries to perform in major events.

Throwing some light on the form of dance, Zohdy said that the ‘Raqis Tanoura’ meant ‘Skirt Dance’, the traditional dance of the Sufis and originated from the Turkish Ottoman Empire.

While dancing, sufi dancers wear long white kaftans (a type of cloak) and fez-like hats. The skirts worn by the dancers are traditionally made of wool in which they whirl for hours around a fixed position. (ANI)