Images of clay Saptamatrikas discovered in the Pampa region (in Kozhippalam near Aranmula) recently, bear witness to the antiquity of mother Goddess worship in the region and the energy and imagery that the earth mother emanates. The devastating floods in Kerala had brought down a compound wall in Anjilimoottil Kadavu revealing from under it, votive shilpams used for idol sacrifice, some Naga sculptures and the saptamatrika figures.
Among a group of college students who went there was Gopika, who said there were many similar things found in her compound. There were long cuboid stones, obviously manually shaped, lying about. Some stones had been used to build houses. The archaeological team revealed that the stones were part of cist burials from the Megalithic age, 2500 years ago.
The Saptamatrikas and the naga figures take us to an ancient belief system recognising the Mother as the original creation. Adi Shakti, the first woman, is believed to have spun the first threads of Creation. She creates, she conceives and she destroys simultaneously, for in her is alive the wisdom that in Srishti or creation and the seed of samhara or destruction.
The discovery reminds us that a substratum of female memories of power and energy has existed from the primordial past. To celebrate mother Goddess and her power, a fantastic ritualistic performance called Padaiyani takes place in about thirty temples in the Alappuzha, Pattanamthitta and Kottayam districts of Kerala from February to April. It is the remnant of the ancient Dravidian modes of worship. Unbelievable masks are created out of palm fronds, coconut leaves and a combination of music, dance, painting and satire invoke the mother Goddess in an intimate play. An entire village takes part in the celebration of mother Goddess as her Padai - ani ( line-up of soldiers).
Unique techniques
The devotees call out to Devi to come and witness the Padaiyani with loud sounds and songs. Bhadrakali form is drawn ritually using five types of natural colour powders. She may have four, eight, sixteen, thirty two or sixty four hands. Eighteen colour shades are applied mixing the colour powders. There are special and unique regional techniques and calculations for the preparation, the right proportion, etc. The very drawing of the kalam is a ritualistic performance. The powder is taken in a special way with the thumb and fore finger and spread in an artistic manner. Around the Kolam men holding leafy twigs leap forward and perform dances and then kolams (decorated masks) come in procession accompanied by Chendamelam. Masks are cut from areca leaf sheaths and coconut leaves and drawn with natural colours.
Kolamezhutthu, Kolam thullal, Kolapattu, Thappumelam, Vinodam are the essential parts of Padaiyani. Kolams are folk deities drawn on green areca leaf sheaths with natural colours, Kolappattu are songs in admiration of Bhagavathi, Thappu is the Asuravadya made with Jack tree hardwood and buffalo hide, Kolam thullal is the rhythmic footsteps and dance, Vinodam is satire and protesting social evils. Entire villages take part in Padaiyani to appease the Goddess so that there is eradication of social evils and there is rain and good crop and prosperity.
Velichappadu, a comedy character, and then Paradeshi bring news from around the world in comical mode. Performances of Kuthira (horse), Ganapathi, Pishachu, Marutha, Madan, Yakshi, Kalan and Bhairavi kolams follow. Each has its own rhythm and movement and song with the alphabets of the Malayalam language as the base to sing the intimate praise of Bhagavathi, mother Goddess.
In Mangalakkolam, a Kolam is mounted on a wooden platform with wheels and is lit with torches. These are Ayiramiyan kolam (Kolam with thousand bells) made with thousand areca leaf sheaths.
The story behind Padaiyani is that of Darika, a demon who had received a boon from Brahma to be killed only by a woman. He went berserk with his atrocities and Siva created Kali from his third eye. She, accompanied by Gooli, fought ferociously and killed Darika. She was full of fury after that and to calm her down, Gods performed dance, mimicry dialogue and comedies but when she saw a painting of herself in an angry mood, she burst into laughter. Padaiyani is said to be a re-enactment of this story.
Celebration of Padaiyani at each temple has its own special features. Rituals vary from one village to another. Most have the performances all through the night while some even have pagal Padaiyani or day performances. Kolam thullal or the steps of the dance of the masks also vary from place to place.
Padaiyani is a celebration of people power and creativity where there is no intermediary between man and God.
Go see one if you can.
