Paana or Pallippaana, as it is sometimes called, is a ritual art to propitiate the goddess
Bhadrakaali. Also known as Paanakali, the art form is popular in the districts of Thrissur, Palakkad
and Malappuram. Paana is part of a three day festival. A canopy is supported by 64 posts of cut out
from the Paala tree ( Alstonia scholaris) and adorned with tender palm fronds 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 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 (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.