Unfolding Layers of Tradition: Neelamperoor Padayani as a Cultural Palimpsest in Central Travancore

Abstract

This paper explores Neelamperoor Padayani, a ritual temple art form in the Central Travancore region of Kerala, celebrated for its unique fusion of Dravidian, Buddhist and Hindu influences. Centred in the village of Neelamperoor, the annual Pooram Padayani festival showcases the community’s collective identity through decorative effigies, devotional songs and performances largely organised by local villagers. This sixteen-day festival, which starts after Thiruvonam in the Malayalam month of Chingam, emphasises communal engagement and environmental connection through offerings such as swan effigies crafted from natural materials. While performed in honour of the deity Palli Bhagavathi at present, this Padayani retains elements of pre-Vedic fertility rituals tied to agricultural cycles, illustrating the aspect of cultural syncretism in Kerala’s traditional art forms. Employing Clifford Geertz’s interpretive methodology of Thick Description, this study critically examines the symbols and rituals of Padayani, revealing the underlying values and beliefs of the village community. The paper underscores the dynamic interplay between indigenous traditions and organized religions in Neelamperoor Padayani.