(Often censored in modern recordings)
The gods were terrified. Their traditional offerings of flowers and chants had no effect on her fury. It was then that the goddess’s own bhoothaganams (attendants) and the common tribal people, the original devotees, attempted a radical remedy. They did not try to calm her with tranquility. Instead, they mirrored her rage. They danced wildly, sang lewd songs, and hurled abuses at her. It was the truth of their raw, unfiltered emotion, not the polished etiquette of conventional worship, that finally pacified the wrathful goddess. She took pleasure in the truth-laden profanities, and calm was restored.
In the modern era, the nature of the Bharani Pattu has sparked ongoing debates.
The rhythmic call of “thaannaro thannaro” is the heartbeat of the festival, the sonic signature that announces the arrival of the goddess into the oracles' bodies. A typical opening verse goes:
The song's lyrics are divided into several sections, each with its own distinct character and significance. The opening verses introduce the goddess Bhadrakali, describing her divine beauty and power. The subsequent sections narrate the story of the goddess's creation, her marriage to Lord Shiva, and her role in protecting the universe.
"Oh Mother of Kodungallur, The wielder of the sword and chopper, You who drank the blood of the demon, Accept our offerings and protect this land."
During this chaos, the oracles are not acting of their own volition. They are the – possessed by the spirit of the goddess herself. As they whirl around the temple, they sing the abusive Bharani Pattu in full voice, their swords flashing in the air. In the most extreme displays of devotion, some oracles slash their own foreheads with their swords, allowing blood to mix with the sandalwood and turmeric on their faces. This blood offering is not a sacrifice to the goddess; it is the goddess, manifesting through her devotees in her most raw and violent form.
