| This paper describes the dance ritual padayani, an event performed at goddess temples in central Kerala state in India. Padayani has been in existence since at least the 8th century and highlights many aspects of life in Kerala, whether social, political, religious, or economic. As a functional part of yearly village temple festivals, it serves to illustrate both harmonious and contentious elements of community in Kerala. The paper offers an extensive delineation of padayani itself, from pre-festival preparations through the dances themselves to the final rituals of the festival cycle. In addition, the paper offers explanations of related aspects of Keralan life, from Hinduism to goddess worship and mythology. The paper also includes a section on the methodology and experience of fieldwork, especially as these relate to the central anthropological concept of culture. |
