Temple & Ritual Arts
Invocative ballads sung before Theyyam — ritual songs that narrate the deity’s legend with chenda and tudi.
About
Thottam Pattu (Malayalam: തോറ്റം പാട്ട്) is a ballad sung just before the Theyyam ritual. Played in Theyyam temples before the art begins, it is invocative: by tradition the singing helps the performer become possessed by divine spirits. The ritualistic songs elaborate the legends of the deities to be propitiated. Percussion such as chenda and tudi accompanies the singing. Usually the drummer men, the make-up men, or both perform Thottam Pattu while make-up is under way. Famous examples include forms such as Kadavaankott Maakkam Thottam and the Thottam of Kuttichathan Theyyam.
Thottam Pattu belongs to the preparatory ritual of Theyyam in North Malabar. As an invocative ballad tradition, it recounts mythology so the shrine community and the performer enter the sacred narrative before costume and possession complete the rite.
North Malabar Theyyam belt — especially Kannur and Kasaragod temple and kaavu culture.
Theyyam ritual communities; drummer and make-up lineages who sing Thottam during preparation.
Often sung during make-up; full Theyyam costume follows the Thottam stage (related to Vellattam / preliminary rites).
Performed while make-up is applied; face painting and costume proceed as the ballad unfolds.
Chenda and tudi with invocative song.
Immediately before Theyyam at temples and sacred groves during the festival season.
Hereditary Theyyam drummers, make-up artists, and ritual singers of North Malabar shrines.
Sung in Theyyam temples immediately before the main performance. Drummers and/or make-up artists typically sing during make-up. Chenda and tudi accompany the verses. Belief holds that the ritual opens the way for divine spirits to possess the performer.
Each Thottam elaborates the legend of a particular deity. Noted forms include Kadavaankott Maakkam Thottam and Kuttichathan Theyyam Thottam, among many shrine-specific ballads across north Kerala.
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