Paana

Paana is a ritual art to propitiate the goddess Bhadrakaali. It is also known as Pallippaana. It is as like Mudiyettu and the killing of Darika is the theme of the subject. The art form is popular in the districts of Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram. Paana is part of a three day festival. This is performed under a canopy. The canopy is supported by 64 posts cut out from the Paala tree the scientific name of which is Alstonia scholaris and adorned with tender palm fronds and is erected near the shrine of the goddess. A stump of this tree is ceremonially brought to the site and planted there for the occasion and a non-figurative kalam is drawn in the centre. 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 or canopy. The para, a variation of the chenda is the main percussion accompaniment. The dream beats work up to a frenzy to match the steps of the oracle. Performed during the night, the ritual lasts for about three hours. At the fag end of the rites the oracle clad in red long cloth worn in a specific manner picks up the sword and shield placed under the stump and moves around the Kalam ecstatically thrice and starts delivering prophecies. When the drum beat becomes at high pitch the oracle becomes in highly frenzied state.  Song praising Lord Ganapathy, Lord Sastha, Kali (Durga) and about Darika, the demon is sung in the pandal. This is known as Thottam Pattu. On completion of Thottam Pattu, the oracle will proclaim the commands of the Goddess and the pandal will be demolished.