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Book Review
MALAYALAM
Study of Padayani
K. K. GOPALAKRISHNAN
CHOOTTUPADAYANI — Folklore Study: B. Ravikumar; Rainbow Book Publishers, Chengannur-689124. Rs. 200.
THIS BOOK, published with assistance grant from the University Grants Commission, is a brief study of the traditional ritualistic art form of ‘Padayani,' performed mostly during mid-December to mid-May in temples dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali situated in the central parts of the erstwhile State of Travancore, forming the Pathanamthitta-Alappuzha-Kottayam belt of Kerala. Literally, ‘Padayani' means a ‘row of warriors' and this spectacular art has a distinctive blend of music, dance, theatre, satire, facial masks, and paintings. No historical account of the country's traditional ‘mask' art will be complete without a reference to ‘Padayani' facials.
In seven chapters, the book details the history and politics of ‘Padayani' and in the process speaks about the popular myths associated with it. Like ‘Theyyam' in the northern districts of Kerala, this is regarded as a vestige of the Dravidian mode of worship, reflecting the vision of the early ethnic groups before the advent of Brahmin domination. For this reason, it is considered very significant from the standpoint of social anthropology. Of late, ‘Padayani' has come to be looked upon also as a part of the ancient theatre of politics. The colour plates, including those of the temples where ‘Padayani' is performed, add to the value of the book.
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