This year’s Patthamudayam at Madathilkavu Sreebhagawathi Temple in Kunnamthanam, Thiruvalla is celebrated with a unique zeal and zest by the co-operation between the present temple advisory committee, devotees and the residents across the village regardless to the religious fervour. The Padayani, also known as Padeni is a traditional folk dance and a ritual art form from the central Travancore of the Indian state of Kerala. Especially this year it was remarkable for its visual appeal, ritualisticness, practicality, rhythmicity of steps and perfect blend of physical flexibility attained by rigorous practicethru perfection by the grace of scholarly instructors. One of the highlights of “Kalan Kolam”(Godess of death) was the terrifying farewell ceremony that led to fear turns into devotion as the artist withdraw himself from the dual personality (The ancient belief that the characters with immense power freed at farewell performance would fly to Tushamadri hills. A place where the players himself become the food of Bhoothas or vampires live there and it’s said that the remains will only be teeth, hair and nails). It would never be an exaggeration to say that the younger generation of Padenipattu boldly demonstrated their innate creative styles and elevated the listeners' self-consciousness to the millennium of enjoyment in other words it was potentially enough to awake the Kundalini power of enjoyment. 'Bhairavikolam', the cosmic form of Kalabhairavi, seemed to be awesome with a perfect blend of artwork, visual beauty, poetic elegance welcomed with large fireworks and rituals. It was the rarest moments for the devotees and other stake holders of the local folks when each and every character performs and withdraws back with an emotional song of farewell by chorus and swift rhythm of big round handy drum called “Thappu”.
(Padayani)
Earthen lamps lined up on either side of the street for miles along the passing lanes of offerings made it seem as if the celestial constellations were waiting for 'Kalbhairavi' to be greeted. Ganapati, Yakshi, Pakshi, Kala Madan, Marutha, Kalan, Bhairavi, Ninabhairavi, Mangalabhairavi and many more were participated. Our Pathamudaya Thiruvutsavam is a elebration of cthe 10th day of Malayalam month Medam, which is celebrated by all together as a family, in the presence of Kavilamma, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. We look forward to
welcome the next Padayani season, praying for the blessings of the Mathilkavu Shree Bhagavathi to all the artists, activists and devotees who participated in the rituals arranged by Gothra Kalapeedom, who worked in the background to grant the title of 'Padayani Village' to Kunnanthanam ..
