The Ethnoaesthetics of Shamanic Padayani performance in Kerala
This paper discusses the ethnoesthetics of the shamanic folk performance padayani in Kerala. It is also called padeni, from the Malayalam word for military formations. Padayani is a ritualistic art form performed in the sacred groves of the Pathanamthitta district, which is situated in the central p...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Print Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Molnar & Kelemen Oriental Publ.
2018
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| In: |
Shaman
Year: 2018, Volume: 26, Issue: 1/2, Pages: 97-106 |
| Summary: | This paper discusses the ethnoesthetics of the shamanic folk performance padayani in Kerala. It is also called padeni, from the Malayalam word for military formations. Padayani is a ritualistic art form performed in the sacred groves of the Pathanamthitta district, which is situated in the central part of Kerala. It is a form of folk theatre dedicated to the primal goddess. The story most commonly dramatized in a padayani is the scene after the annihilation of Darika (Demon God), when Kaali (Mother Goddess) sets out on her journey to Kailasa (Mount Kailash). To make Kaali sober and calm, Subramanyan, the son of Shiva, and the boothas (assistants to Lord Shiva) in different forms of kolam (big head-gear with masks) make up a procession in front of her. A procession of pakshikkolam, yakshikkolam, maruthakkolam (masked performance of birds and goddesses) is presented to her, during her journey, to appease her; figures are drawn on the sheaths of an areca palm in vibrant colors and there is much musical extravaganza. Figures are drawn in natural colors in which the enlarged shape of the eyes in the night light glitter and seem to project up. This shaman’s performance begins after the harvest with elaborate rituals. Each day includes diverse masked performance than contain a number of magical songs, which have very strong rhythmic beats that are played on a musical instrument (thappu). The whole village participates in this ritual. The sacred thottam pattu (ritualistic melody) is sung as part of padayani performance. |
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| ISSN: | 1216-7827 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Shaman
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