Patayani is Performed at a few temples in the Central Travancore
region, Patayani is a ritual art form. During the dance the performers
attain a frenzied trance which culminate in extremely vigorous movements.
It is a symbolic act for pleasing the goddess Bhadrakaali and bringing
her out of frenzied trance after her victory over the mythical demon
Daarika. Patayani is performed during a week-long festival at the
Kaali temples during March\April. It is accompanied by songs and percussion
instruments like Thappu and Chenda. Kadammanitta, Kadalimangalam,
Neelamperur and Othara in Pathanamthitta are famous for annual Patayani
performances.
Equally interesting is to watch the villagers effortlessly making
the Kolam or the mask worn by the Patayani performers. Kolams are
made out of fresh spathe of arecanut. They are designed by the members
of the Ganaka community and executed by a group of villagers. To keep
the freshness of the spathe all the kolams are made just before the
performance. The biggest one, representing the goddess Bhadrakaali,
is made of 1001 pieces of spathe and is carried on wheels.
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