Wikipedia
Padayani is a 1986 Indian Malayalam film, directed by TS Mohan and produced by Sukumaran. The film stars Mohanlal, Mammootty, Shobhana and Adoor Bhasi in lead roles. The film had musical score by A. T. Ummer. Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Devan play as long-lost brothers after their parents's death. In the end, they reunite to take revenge for their parents's death. The film is a remake of 1973 Bollywood classic Yaadon Ki Baaraat. The film also has Indrajith playing the younger version of Mohanlal's character.
Padayani, also called Padeni, (from the Malayalam word for military formations) is a traditional folk dance and a ritual art from the central portion of the Indian state of Kerala. A ceremonial dance involving masks, it is an ancient ritual performed in Bhagavati temples. The dance is performed in honor of Bhadrakaali. Meaning, a 'row of warriors', Padayani is an art form that blends music, dance, theatre, satire, facial masks, and paintings. It is part of worship of Bhadrakali and is staged in temples dedicated to the goddess from mid-December to mid-May. Padayani is unique to central Travancore, comprising the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. Padayani is regarded as a remnant of the Dravidian forms of worship that existed before the advent of Brahmanism.
Padayani is like Theyyam in north kerala. The percussion instruments used in Patayani are patayani thappu, chenda, para and kumbham.