Paana
Paana
or Pallippaana, as it is sometimes called, is a ritual art to propitiate the
goddess Bhadrakaali, popular in the districts of Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram.
Paana is part of a three-day festival.
Near the shrine, a conopy is erected, supported by 64 posts of the 'Paala'
tree (Alstonia Scholaris) and adorned with tender palm fronds. A stump of
this tree is ceremonially brought to the site and planted there. 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.
'Para', a variation of the Chenda is the main percussion instrument, and
produces a frenzied beat to match the furious movements of the oracle. Performed
during the night, the ritual lasts for about three hours.
Dances in Kerala
Kathakali
|| Koothu
|| Chavittunatakom
|| Oppana ||
Valakkali
|| Mohiniyattam
|| Paana || Kolkkali
|| Thiruathirakkali
|| Tholppavakoothu
|| Krishnanattom
|| Kakkarissi
Natakom || Thullal
|| Kootiyattom
|| Duffmuttu
