CATEGORY : HERITAGE TOURISM, FESTIVALS
PADAYANI
Padayani, also called Padeni, is a
traditional folk dance and a ritual art from the central portion of Kerala. A
ceremonial dance involving masks, it is an ancient ritual performed in Bhagavati
temples.The dance is performed in honor of Bhadrakaali. Padayani is an art form that blends music,
dance, theatre, satire, facial masks, and paintings. It is part of worship of
Bhadrakali and is staged in temples dedicated to the goddess. Padayani is
unique to central Travancore, comprising the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala.
Padayani is regarded as a remnant of the Dravidian forms of worship that
existed before the advent of Brahmanism.The percussion instruments used in
Patayani are patayani thappu, chenda, para and kumbham.
KADAMMANITTA PADAYANI
"Kadammanitta Padayani" is
being performed along with the 10 days long Pathamudaya Maholsavam at
Kadammanitta Devi Temple during March - April ( from 1-10 of medam month in
Malayalam Calendar) of every year. 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.
Padayani is being performed as an
offering to Goddess Kali (Devi) and often portrays the story of Goddess winning
victory over Daarikan, an evil character.
KADAMMANITTA PADAYANI GRAMAM
Kadammanitta
Padayani Gramam, the ambitious project of the State Tourism Department aimed at
the protection and preservation of the temple art form ‘Padayani’. Closely
linked with the Kadammanitta Bhagirathy.
For more details
http://kadammanittapadayani.com/
Attractions
Traditional folk dance and a ritual art
How to reach
Kadammanitta is
6 km away from Pathanamthitta