The kolams ( figures ) of Patayani

Ganapathi, Marutha, Antharayakshi, Sundarayakshi, Arakkiyakshi, Kalayakshi, Mayayakshi, Ambarayakshi, Pakshi, Kalamatanm, Pullimatan, Vatimadan, Raktachamundi, Apasmarayakshi, Devatha, Bhairavi, Kalan, and Mangalabhairavi are the importat kolams of Patayani. The raw materials used in the preparation kolams are fresh spathe of areca leaf and tender leaves of coconut palm. Five different colours representing the five elements - white (air), yellow (sun), red (earth), black (sky) and green (water) - are used for making designs. Kolams are drawn on fresh spathe using a brush made of the stalk of tender palm leaf. The water content of the fresh spathe absorbs colours and retains them. Natural colours using for kolamezhuthu.

It requires prolonged effort to become an expert in drawing kolams. The painters normally belong to Ganaka community. The number of spathe frames depends upon the performance. At any rate it requires extraordinary care and talent to draw these extraordinary shapes on small frames extending from one to one thousand. A Kolam is drawn part by part and later joined using palm needles. Along with the crown Kolam are drawn adornments for the body.

Ganapathykolam

Ganapathykolam is so called because it is performed first. The actual representation is Pisachu (devil) which has its subcategories: male pishachu, female pishachu, trap pisachu, thorn pishachu, and burn pisachu. The mask of this Kolam is made of painted spathe and the breast band of another single frame. A loin cloth covering the knees of the actor is worn around which is ‘hung’ the ‘skirt’ of tender palm leaves. The actor holds a torch made of plantain fibre.
Ganapathi Kolam is performed in small shrines called kavu and the temples of goddesses for the peace and prosperity of the tribe. For achieving the desired effect, the number of kolams is limited to five.

Bhairavikolam

To make this beautiful, large, triangular Kolam techniques like “coiling snakes’(sarppakkettu), ‘black snake’(karinagam), ‘mandaram’, ‘peelikkannu’, ‘kamathu’ and ‘prone mangalalatha’ are used. This kolam has five faces indicating different moods of man. Of the five faces four - yakshi (fairy), vyali (dragon), ezhuthu (drawing), kimbiri are made of spathe and the actor’s face makes the fifth one. This Kolam enters the kalam (play-field) with a burning torch fitted on the actor’s fore head.
Bhairavi represent mother nature. She is also the queen of minor female demons.The performance of this Kolam is intended to please the mother nature whose wrath might surface as natural calamities, crop failure and snake bites.

 

 

 

 

Maruthakolam

The facial mask of this kolam is drawn on a single spathe. It has a festoon with large breasts attached, and a waist band made of leaves. The actor holds a stick in one hand and a fan made of dry spathe in the other.Though Marutha is the mother goddess she even seeds small pox. According to folk tales she is Darika’s wife.

Marutha is the female demon who spreads the deadly small pox. A performance of this kolam can cure small pox, fever and other bodily ills. Some twelve Marutha kolams of varying size perform in the play field to relieve the locality of these ills.

 

Yakshikolam

This kolam is crown shaped, without mask, has prominent eyes, vermilion mark, large canine tooth (damshtram) and nails made of tender palm leaves. Maya yakshi has forward projecting horns. Kalayakshikolam is made of twenty one pieces of painted spathes, the dominant colour being black.
Yakshi can cast evil in the form of illnesses of women and epilepsy. They can harm sailors in the sea or river. A performance of this kolam might keep these spirits pleased. Man will remain happy in their absence.

 

Pakshikolam

Drawings on seven pieces of spathes, one of them facial mask, representing the bird, constitute Pakshikolam. The curved beak is made of specially cut fresh spathe. Arrays of tender palm leaves hung on either side constitute wings. The beautifully decorated breast band covers the entire chest of the actor.

Pakshikolam is performed to gratify evil birds that inflict children with disease and even death. The appeased devil will withdraw their charm to the comfort of humanity.

 

 

 

Kalamadan

The crown of this kolam is more than twelve feet high and the body of the actor is covered with a black blanket. In the patayani play field, Kalamadan kolam - is the executioner designated by lord Shiva to terminate the wandering souls - dances to exorcise possessed people.

 

 

 

 

 

Kalankolam

The crown of this Kolam, which is made of fifteen pieces of spathe, is two and a half feet high and is shaped like a cloverleaf. Complexes of colours on spathe create helmet, ears, snake-hood, green face etc. After coating red arsenic on the face, vermilion mark, canine tooth etc are drawn. The actor holds a sword in his right hand and a torch in his left hand. The actor alone rendering a full scripted drama through pakarnnattam.

Kalankolam is performed to gratify the God of death that inflict people with disease and even death.

Mangalakolam


Mangalakolam is so called because it is performed last. This kolam resembles Bhairavikolam. The drawings on thirty two pieces of spathe maintain leaf-like texture.

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