Padayani Introductory Steps
Padayani Introductory Steps
Padayani Introductory Steps - Padayani is the combination of music, dance , painting, satire etc. Chamayam or Padayani costume and make-up is the painted Paala mask and Kuruthola. Kolam leaf sheaths number 9,16,51,64,84,101, etc., the larger ones not being used as a head dress, but only carried on the shoulders. Colours and dyes are made from natural materials like brick, ash, tumeric, etc.
Padayani’s essential elements comprise of Kolamezhuthu, Kolamthullal, Malayootu and Choottuveyppu. Kolamezhuthu refers to the drawing of kolams or images of deities on green arecanut leaf sheaths using natural colours;Kolappattu are the devotional prayers to deities; Thappumelam is the rendering of the percussion instrument called Thappu. Kolamthullal refers to the rhythmic footsteps in tune with Kolappattu and Thappumelam; Malayootu involves creating a forest like ambience and Chootuveyppu, lighting the choottu (bundle of dried coconut fronds).
Every Padayani Karappuram (Padayani venue) has its own rituals and kolams, but they are all performed in a similar sequence. The first one is usually the Ganapathi or Pisachu Kolam. The second day performance is Panchakolam which includes Ganapathi, Marutha, Yakshi, Pakshi and Madan.Next is the Kalan Kolam, Bhairavi, etc. Bhairavi Kolam is made up of 16-1001 arecanut leaf sheaths. Chattathekkolam (made on a chattam or frame) of the largest, with 1001 leaf sheaths.
Kanjiramala(garland made up of flowers of strychnos nuxvomica) is a special feature of the Bhairavi Kolam which is performed at the Mundankavu Temple in Chengannur,Kerala. There are mainly 18 types of Yakshi, Sundara Yakshi, Ambara Yakshi, Maya Yakshi, Kolina Yakshi, etc. Pakshi Kolams are believed to cure diseases that afflict children.
Padayani instruments include Thappu, Kaimani, Thudi, Para, Thakil, Maddalam, Chenda etc. Padayanimusic has different Thalam or rhythms like Adantha, Muriyadantha, Otta, Murukkam, etc.
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