Padayani

This is the legend of Padayani. Even after killing Darika, Kali's anger does not subside. Then, as per Subrahmanya's advice, Shiva ties up his entourage in various forms and expressions. Seeing this, Kali forgets her anger and bursts into laughter. This is the story that forms the basis of Padayani. The characters in Padayani are kolams. There are various kolams such as Ganapati, Madan, Antara Yakshi, Sundara Yakshi, Araki Yakshi, Gandharvan, Kala, Devatha, Mangalabhairavi, Bhairavi Kolam, Maruthakolam, Kalarikolam, Pakshi Kolam, and Kuthira Kolam. Each kolam is for a different deity. For example, Bhairavi Kolam is for Bhadrakali and Kalarikolam is for Shiva. Kolams are made of kavungin pala. From 16 to 101 pala are taken for this. Kolams are tied to please the gods, to protect against epidemics, natural disasters, etc., and to ensure a good harvest. There are also kolams tied as offerings.

Padayani begins with the hoisting of the flagpole, just like festivals. It is a twenty-eight-day event. Today, Padayani has been shortened to one to four days in many places. Each day has a different ceremony such as hot water, tappu melam, thavadi, pulavritham, paradeshi, and kuthira. In the past, the kolams were tied from the third day onwards. The first one would be the Ganapathikolam. In the past, Padayani was performed with the participation of the entire village. From the materials to drawing and tying the kolam, each step was done by a member of each community. Even today, Padayani is performed at night in the light of torch. The dances in Padayani are generally called 'Kalayam'. Padayani songs have a specific rhythm and melody. The main instrument in Padayani is the tappu. In addition, instruments such as Chenda, Veekan Chenda, Ilathalam, and Kurumkuzhal are also used. There are indications that Padayani has been in existence since the 8th century AD. It is still performed in temples like Kadammanitta and Othara in South Kerala.