Padayani
Padayani, also known Padeni (from the Malayalam word for military formations), is a traditional folk dance and a ritual art[1] from the central portion of the Indian state of Kerala.
[3] Meaning, a 'row of warriors', Padayani is an art form that blends all music, dance, theatre, satire, facial masks, and paintings.
The inscription talks about the tax collected by village temple council and Chera king Rajasimha (Contemporary to Rajendra Chola) from christian traders of Manigramam settlement for conducting Padayani festival.
[6] Padyani is a modern form of Kolam Thullal, a ritual dance, which had been performed by the magico-medicine men of Kerala ( The Tinta endogamous section of Ganaka community ) .
[7] In olden days, this elaborate and expensive event was carried out to heal illnesses of deep psychological dysfunctions without any identifiable serious physical cause, and cases that seemed to be not amenable to medical modalities of intervention .
[8] This form of psychic or spiritual healing other wise known as Kolam Thullal, was solely designed, controlled and performed by the Tinta sub sect of the Ganaka community, as a method of exorcism[9] The folk art, Padayani made its development from this dance performance, as a divine ritual tradition in association with festival occasions of Bhagavathy (Bhadrakaali) temples of Kerala.
So the Nair folk became the performers of the modern form of Padayani art, but the right of writing lyrics, the design and making of elaborate costumes was vested with the Kaniyar people.
Nowadays the modern form of Padayani is performed at many Devi temples in the southern region of Kerala, particularly in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Kollam Districts.
In 2007, plans were put forward to implement a proposal by poet Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan to create a Padayani Village to promote the dance form.
Other performances include Velakali, Thaavadi, Pulavrittham, Pooppada and various types of Vinodhams such as Kaakkarashi Drama, Paradeshi, Sharkarakudam, Ammumma, Pattarum Pennum, Ooraali, Pulayan, Naadukaani, etc.
The main programs include vela Kali, Adavi, Pallippana, Vellam Kudi, vinodam and kolam Thullal.
Medam 8th is popular for Grand padayani (Vellya Padeni) when all "kolams" under padayani will be performed by experts, and large number of people interested, from all over the country as well as a few foreigners who are regular visitors every year will come to see the magnificent performances, apart from many prominent cultural and social leaders.
A festival which is celebrated for ten days throughout this tropical paradise is a massive display of color and the elegance which stems naturally from a culture dating back to several years in antiquity.
The festival is also marked by the performance of the Patayani, a popular dance form which is an intrinsic part of the celebrations of Kadammanitta Padayani.
The festival is also auspicious as it marks the victory of Kali over Daariken, an evil character and the renewal of protection of the Goddess on human beings.
From third day onwards Padayani Kolam like Ganapathi, Marutha, Pakshi, Kalan, Sundara Yekshi, Bhairavi, Kanjiramala etc.
Padayani is conducted in the Kadalimangalam Devi Temple, in Kuttoor village in Thiruvalla every year during the months of March and April.
[clarification needed] It is being said that the padayani season in a year starts with Vrishchikam (November–December) at thelliyoorkavu and ends in month of Medam (March–April) at Kunnamthanam Madathilkavu temple.
Gothrakalapeedom is an organization dedicated to providing training and promoting projects involving Padayani, a folk art form of Kerala.
Five Ganapathykolams in the guise of Pisachu dancing in the Kalam (ground), the imagery of the sky bound Ambarayakshy descending in a chariot as Chattathelyakshy, and the Devathakolam, resembling the Madthilkkavil Bhagavathy are exclusive features of the Kunnamthanam Padayani .
Darika performed arduous tapasya, which Brahma could not ignore, and he blessed him with such powers as may shield him from harm by man or god night and day.
Darika with the help of the supernal architect Maya built a splendid palace on the shores of the western sea and proclaimed protection and honor to all the surviving members of his class scattered and hiding.
The gods in distress petitioned to Vishnu the great god of preservation who directed them to Shiva who told them that only a goddess of extraordinary prowess could slay Darika.Thus Brahma created Brahmi, Vishnu created Vaishnavi and Shiva Maheswari, Indra Indrani, Subrahmanya Kumari, and Yama Varahi.
Provoked, Darika decided to confront Kali, but before going to the battlefield he transferred all the powerful mantras (hymns of invocation) to his wife.
Goddess Kartyayani, an ally of Kali, who knew that Darika was no more the sole owner of the mantras of his success, tricked the asura’s wife disguising herself as an innocent Brahmin girl.
Her army of goddesses and phantoms, terrified at the unusual anger of their leader, fled the field and sought refuge in Shiva.Shiva proposed several modes of entertainment to cool her down.
But when Lord Subrahmanya drew her furious form on the ground, and then acted her out with gorgeous accoutrement and rhythmic movement, Kali was amused and pleased.
During succeeding stages of social change meanings were attached ‘figures’ – acted out with the help of accoutrement and designs drawn on the floor.
