Kadammanitta padayani village to open its own art museum

Pathanamthitta: The Padayani village in Kadammanitta is all set to inaugurate an art museum where the visitors can experience the nuances of the unique art form of padayani.

Padayani kolam made of natural materials
The padayani kolam or the costume that would be exhibited in the museum are being made using natural materials without losing its traditional and cultural significance. In most museums, 'kolams' are made using aluminum sheets or paper mold are exhibited.

However, here, such artificial materials are completely avoided. The usual costumes that are made using fresh palm fronds stay fresh for not more than a day. So, the fronds are dried and secured with palm leaves and thread to make the costumes to the museum. The organizers plan to exhibit all the fifteen costumes that are featured at the iconic Kadammanitta padayani festival.

Likely to be completed by July
The padayani village has completed three stages of development since its inception in 2007. The members of the Kadammanitta tribal art Kalari are now ready to move on to the next stage by opening the art museum. As a first step, the museum would be set up only in one of the halls in the auditorium.

Meanwhile, noted padayani artist Kadammanitta Raghukumar said that the works of the museum is likely to be completed by the end of July. They plan to complete all the arrangements in the museum before the Onam season. As part of this, weeds and bushes are being cleared at many parts of the village.

The volunteers said that the renovation works of the auditorium too is progressing. This would mark the beginning of the second stage of the developmental activities at the padayani village. In the first stage, training classes in padayani and chendamelam had begun. Many students seek training at these classes.