Paana
Paana
or Pallippaana, as it is sometimes called, is a ritual art to propitiate the
goddess Bhadrakaali. The art form is popular in the districts of Thrissur, Palakkad
and Malappuram.
Paana is part of a three day festival. A canopy is supported by 64 posts of
cut out from the Paala tree ( Alstonia scholaris) and adorned with tender palm
fronds is erected near the shrine of the goddess.
A stump of this tree is ceremonially brought to the site and planted there for
the occasion and a non-figurative kalam is drawn in the centre using coloured
powders.
A ceremonial sword is placed on a red silk cloth under the tree stump to signify
the presence of the goddess.
At the end of a series of rites, the oracle arrives and moves in a trance around
the kalam and the pandal (canopy).
The para, a variation of the chenda is the main percussion accompaniment. The
dream beats work up to a frenzy to match the steps of the oracle. Performed
during the night, the ritual lasts for about three hours
Kerala Art & Culture
Theyyam ||
Patayani || Poothanumthirayum
|| Paana || Tholppavakkoothu
|| Velakali || Kalamezhuthu
|| Margomkali || Mudiyettu
|| Koothu || Kannyarkali
|| Arjuna Nritham || Kavadiyattom
|| Theeyattu || Kummattikkali
