Padayani is the annual ritualistic festival celebrated in Bhadrakali
temples of Central travancore zone with due dedications. It may be
regarded as the remains of ancient Dravidian God concept and mode of
worship offering Rathi (lust), Raktham (Blood) and Lahari (toxic mood) The
very spirit of central travancore finds its appearance in Padayani as that
of Malabar in ?Theyyam?. All the Sixty Four artforms play their own vital
role in Padayani. Actully this is a mixture of music, dance , painting,
comedy etc. Padayani reflects the ancient socialist society before
Ayryanization and four caste system. So in Padayani all the villagers take
active part without racial discriminations. Each and every Padayani
Karappuram (Village celebrating Padayani) observe padayani in their own
way. In different aspets such as observation of rituals, order of
performance and span of Padayani days difference noticed is ofcourse very
huge.
Padayani is celebrated during the months of Kumbham, Meenam, Medam (
Approximately February, March and April) Kolamezhuthu, Kolamthullal,
Kolappattu, Thappumelam, Vinodam (Comedy) are the essential parts of
Padayani. Kolams are folk deiteis drawn on well processed green areca leaf
sheath with natural colours. Kolappattu (lyrics) include prayers,
admirations and requests to deities. Thappu is the ?Asuravadya? made by
covering round frame of Jacktree hardwood with buffalohide. Kolamthullal
is the rhythmic footsteps and dances that a performer makes in tune with ?Kolappattu?
and ?Thappumelam?. Vinodam(comedy) includes satire and protest targetting
social evils and vanities. Bearing ?Palakkolam? singing ?Kolappatu?,
dancing with the ?thalam? of thappu , the whole villagers pray to God to
bring in prosperity, to eradicate the ill effects of wicked deities, to
ensure goodied from crops and so on. It is a way of worship with no
intermediary between
man and God. Further, we find true man leading ecofriendly life
worshipping nature disregard of the philosophy of exploitation.