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National Seminar On Shakti Worship In India

Amrita Darshanam — International Centre for Spiritual Studies, in association with Nārivāda, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), is organizing a three-day national seminar on “Śakti Worship in India” from September 21 to 23, 2018 at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam, Kerala.

More than 25 scholars of renown will deliver lectures on the different aspects of śakti worship in India. During the course of the seminar, two rituals will be performed: Paḍayani and Kalamezhuthu Pattu.

Paḍayani is a masked performance of an ancient ritual performed to appease the fierce Bhadrakāli after she kills Dāruka. According to the legend, it was first performed by Śiva’s bhūtagaṇa-s in order to pacify her anger which could otherwise destroy the worlds. It is unique to central Kerala — particularly popular in the districts of Kottayam and Pathanamthitta.

It will be elaborately performed in Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kerala, on 21 September 2018 by traditional artists. Kollams (masks) will be made throughout the day. The performance starts late evening, and will continue into the wee hours of the morning.

Kalamezhuthu is a temple ritual that has three stages — drawing of the kalam, worshiping of the kalam with lights called thiri uzhichil, and erasing of the kalam maykkal.

It will performed in Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kerala, on 23 September 2018. Drawing of the kalam will start on the evening of the 22nd; the ritual will commence on the morning of the 23rd September and will be completed in 12 hours).

Kindly refer to the brochure attached HERE and the website HERE.

Indic Academy will support three participants to attend the program by providing registration and travel grants of upto Rs 15000 each. The chosen participants will have to write an essay on the program AFTER the event is over. Preference will be given to women. However, the final selection of the candidates is left to the discretion of the editor. Accommodation will be provided to all the participants by the organizers. If you are interested in attending this seminar, write to us at indictoday@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article belong to the author. Indic Today is neither responsible nor liable for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in the article.

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