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Paana
or Pallippaana, as it is sometimes called, is a ritual art to propitiate
the goddess Bhadrakaali, popular in the districts of
Thrissur, Palakkad
and Malappuram. Paana is part of a
three-day festival.
Near the shrine, a conopy is erected, supported by 64 posts of the
'Paala' tree (Alstonia Scholaris) and adorned with tender palm fronds. A
stump of this tree is ceremonially brought to the site and planted there.
A non-figurative 'Kalam' is drawn in the centre using coloured powders.
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.
'Para', a variation of the
Chenda is the
main percussion instrument, and produces a frenzied beat to match the
furious movements of the oracle. Performed during the night, the ritual
lasts for about three hours.