Pallippana/Pana is a folk ritual performed to please the Goddess Bhadrakali. This ritual is seen in the border areas of the meeting point of three districts Malappuram , Palakkad and Thrissur districts. Performers are generally from Nair community. It is conducted either in a temple premise or at the devotee’s home. The 24 hour long ritual starts from one sunrise to the next sunrise. The important part of the ritual is singing Thottam, the folk songs detailing the story of the Goddess Bhadrakali. According to Hindu mythology, Bkadrakali is evolved from the third eye of Lord Shiva with the specific assignment of killing Darikan, the evil King who ruled the universe. Earlier many temples used to conduct this performance annually. But in due course of time, the ritual is stopped in many temples, and reduced the ritual formalities in many temples. Only in few temples this is practiced as per the norms practiced by the ancestors. Performers: The main performer in the previous generation was Late Govindankuty Asan from Alamkode , near Changaramkulam in Malappuram Dt. His son Ellathu Valappil Kuttan Nair and Gangadharan Nair are performers of present era. His disciple Alankode Raman Nair is the senior most disciple, who is also working along with the brothers Kuttan Nair and Gangadharan Nair. Minimum 30-50 artists are needed to conduct the whole ritual.