Chaudike Pada is a musical katha tradition which revolves around Ellamma, the personification of the goddess Mariyamma. She is the protector of the community and a healer, who when displeased brings smallpox and other infectious diseases. Chaudike pada performances are essential for the worship of Ellamma and the connected dieties. This is the introduction to the main story of the Ellamma Katha describing the miraculous powers of Ellamma addressed as Renukellamma with the refrain "saranayya o rama" and followers responding "Yes, Ellamma is omnipresent"