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VARIOUS TYPES OF FOLK/REGIONAL MUSIC OF KERALA
Lijo K JDiploma 1
Generally folk songs of Kerala have a wide range of
subjects and are interestingly throwing light on conditions of primitive and present life and
thoughts. The music of folk songs are melodic in character and bears on it the mark and stamp of
communal growth and activity. Some times these songs are accompanied by dance and drama. The
main feature of these songs are simple language, oral tradition and specific interesting rhythmic
patterns. They use certain words, without meaning, like theythom, thaithah, thithathaara and
tharikida to make these songs more rhythmic. Vaguely these folk songs can be classified as
Thekkan paattu1 and Vadakkan paattu southern and northern songs!. "ut these system is not so
strict as all songs in both regions can heard out of these boundaries as well. #nother system ofclassification which can be seen in some books are related to the occasion or the conte$t in which
these songs are sung. Some e$amples are%&
Samudhayika Paattukal2Songs related to certain community! %&Pulluvan Paattu, Malayar
Paattu, Mannar PaattuandMappila Pattu
Anushtana Paattukal Songs related to ceremonies! %&Kalasa Paattu, Thiryuzhichil Paattu
and Thottam Paattu
Thozhil Paattukal/ Pani Paattukal Songs related to work to reduce the strain of work '
some are sung during the work! %& Vithukila Paattu, Aravu Paattu, Vandi Paattu andVanchi
Paattu
Vinodha Paattu Songs for pure entertainment! %& Kolkkali Paattu, Kaikotti Paattu and
Kummaatti Paattu
Kuttanaadan Paattu ! Songs sung near #lappu(ha and near Kuttanadu region"
#aayaattu Paattukal )unting songs!%&Sung during they eat the animals they captured after
hunting
*e can also see overlapping of these sections wih
regards to certain features.
There are many musical instruments specific to Kerala
related to folk music. Some of them are +ulluvaveena, #andhuni, $henda, Thakilu, %ha&,
$heenikkuzhal, 'dakka andThudi" ven some domestic instruments likeKinnam, Kindi, $hem(u,
Kalam and Maniare also used for some songs. -or percussion instruments, there are specific
Paattumeans song in /alayalam
0 Paattukalis the plural word forPaattu
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rhythmic patterns specific to Kerala are also used. Some rhythmic patterns are%& Adantha thaalam,
$hem(ada Thaalam, Panchari thaalamandMarmma Thaalam"
1t involves a lifetime2s effort to collect all the details of
the folk music genres of Kerala as it has such a wast folk music culture and many of the forms are
near to e$tinction. 1n this essay, with the limitations regards to the errors which can be caused due to
translation of collo3uial terms related to folk music, 1 am trying to discuss a few folk music genreswhich 1 personally e$perienced and researched about.1 have added some available recordings of the
folk songs in the attached listening guide.
1. Pulluvar Paattu
This is a kind of folk song which is sung by a community called
4Pulluvar5 lives in various parts of Kerala. Those )Pulluvar*lives in northern part of Kerala sing
songs related to spirits and those from other parts sing songs related to Sarppamsnake Gods!. They
celebrate song festivals +sarppam paattu in Sarppa Kkavu and#aa-a Kshetram "oth are places
where they worship snake Gods!. They decorate the places and put 4 Sarppakkalam* it is a
drawing, looks similar toKolamor.an-oliin other parts of india! and they sing in front of it. Theyuse instruments like Pulluva veena, Pulluva kkudam andKuzhithaalam for accompanying these
songs. These people go to houses and sing in the courtyard for the wellbeing of the people in the
house and to get relieved from the curse from the snake Gods.
Pulluvan paattu Sarppakkalam Sarppakkavu
isten to track no" 1 in the listenin- disk &or Pulluvan Paattu e0ample"
2. Udukku Paattukal/ Ayyappan Paattukal/ Sasthan Paattukal
dukku Paattu
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These are songs which praise ord Ayyappa or Sasthan, related to
festivals ceremonies in Mandalakaalam a period starting from around 6ovember till 7anuary!.
/ost of these songs are sung when people undertake pilgrimage to Sa(arimala templein Kerala.
There are ceremonies called Maalayidalby taking lent for sometime by wearing black cloths
related to these ceremonies. They invite the neighbors and friends for these ceremonies and the
ceremonies might last for one day and night. They sit in a circle and sing these songs with dukku.
dukkuis a percussion instrument similar to%amru, an instrument used in 6orth 1ndia. #yyappan+aattukal is more prevalent in Kottayam district in Kerala.
isten to track no" 2 in the listenin- disk &or Ayyappan Paattu e0ample"
3. Chaaran Paattukal (Vadakkan Paattukadhakal)
These are sung in northern parts of Kerala. These songs were
transferred through generations by oral tradition. +eople sing these songs when they work in paddy
fields. 8ne person leads the singing and others repeats the song. They develop the story line during
singing. The language of songs are more related to the spoken language of northern Kerala. The
topics would be emotions like veeram,premam, karunam, haasyam and ath(udham"The divisionsof $haaran Paattukal arePuthooram Paattukal, Thacholy Paattukal both are stories related to
certain royal families in northern Kerala!, Kanni Kadhakaland Veera Kadhakal"
isten to track no" in the listenin- disk &or Vadakkan Paattu e0ample"
4. Pulayarude paattukal
Sung by the cast named 4Pulayar*" The word)Pula* means the land
used for agriculture, where they work. They sing different types of songs. Some are %& Kannal
Kalam(aduto praise pregnant ladies9 Virunnu Paattu, 3anapathi Paattu, Kalasa Paattuto praise
3uru %haivamchief of tribal Gods! and other Goddesses and Poovaniyum Paattuto praise boyswhen they putAran-attu Kolama religious ritual in 6orthern part of Kerala!.
isten to track no" 4 in the listenin- disk &or Pulayarude paattukal e0ample"
5. Manala Paattukal
The word Man-alammeans marriage. There are different types of
Man-alamslikeKaathukuthu Man-alamcelebrate when they pierce the ear lobe of girls to put ear
rings!, Thirandu Man-alamwhen girls attain puberty! and Aran-attu Man-alamto make a boy
eligible for agricultural labour!. Songs differ according to place and cast. Aniyaara Panthal is a
song which they sing when they decoratePanthalwhere the ceremonies take place. They use an
instrument called Para to sing the songs. These songs describe how to decorate the Panthal.
Man-ala Paattukalare sung by a cast calledMavilarwho lives in Kannur and Kasargaud districts
of Kerala. isten to track no" 5 in the listenin- disk &or Man-alam paattu e0ample"
!. P"r Paattukal
This is a variety of songs which related to agriculture also called
Krishi paattukal!. They sing these songs when they plant the rice seedlings in the paddy fields.
They form two groups and sing these songs as a conversation between the groups as a competition.These songs are for pure entertainment. They might not convey a particular story in particular. The
: Kadhakalmeans stories
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lyrics might include local slangs and some times even obscene words.
#. $ar%&'aalarude Paattukal
Karim(alaris a tribal group lives in Thalassery and Thalipparambu
Taluks in Kerala. Their agricultural songs are called Vithukila Paattukal. They sing this song when
they plough the field after sowing. They use certain stories from Vadakkan Paattukadhakalfor thesinging. 8ther songs sung by Karim(aalar are $heerum(a Paattu to praise the tribal Goddess
%hevatha! named $heerum(a/$heerma"
. heyya& Paad% Paattukal
Seen mostly in temples in 6orthern Kerala. These songs have been
sung by Theyyam paadikal%heivam Paadikal! byKalamezhuthum Paattumtraditional decoration
and patterns made with ground rice and singing!. They believe that they are from the tradition of
singers from heaven%eva-ayaka vrindham! and even Gods like their singing. They sings in
temples during certain time period. 1n certain temples they sing for ; days. g%& Vettakkorumakan
Paattu,Marakkala Paattuand 6akshi Sthuthi"
Theyyam
isten to track nos" 7 8 9 in the listenin- disk &or Theyyam Paadi Paattukal e0ample"
*. P""rakkal%
These songs are sung in temples, towards the end of a festival called
Pooramin middle and northern part of Kerala. The sing and dance during the ceremonies and it
lasts for < days. *e can see the tradition ofKalarippayattu/artial art form of Kerala! in these
songs. There are different sections for the singing like #avanandana, Pooramaala, .amayanam
Kadha, :harata Kadha, 3anapathy Paattu, An-am, Pada, Pam(attam and so on. There are
different songs for each section. They sing it as groups and make it a competition Matsarakkaly!.
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Poorakkali
isten to track no" ; in the listenin- disk &or Poorakkali e0ample"
1+. h"tta& Paattukal
These are songs related to rituals in temples in middle and northern
parts of Kerala related to Theyyattam and Thirayattam also called Theyyamthira" =ifferent
communities like Vannan, Malayar, Mavilar, Pulayan and Paanar have different Thottam
Paattukal" They sing to praise the servants of Gods called Amsa (hoothan-al like3andharvan,
#aa-am, :hootham andMri-awho are servants of Gods such as :a-avathy, Kaali, $hamundi,
Siva! Vaishnava Moorthikal" There are also Thottam Paattukal says about victory over wicked
people or social evil. +eople believe that the dancers in Theyyamot Theyyattamare transformed to
Goddesses during Theyyattam" Vilithottam are sung to invite the Goddesses to human body" PolichuPaattukal are sung to praise the Goddesses in human form" g%&Maniyara unnan-athottam.
Thottam paattu isten to track no" ; in the listenin- disk &or Thottam Paattukal e0ample"
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11. Manthravaadha Paattukal
4Manthravaadham* means black magic. There are certain
communities which consider 4Manthravaadham* as their livelihood. $amples for these
communities arePulluvan, Mannan, MalayarandKanisan" They use these songs for their rituals"
indu and
Muslim culture e0amples"
13. h%rvath%ra Paattukal
Thiruvaathira
8n Thiruvathirain the month of%hanu +accordin- to Malayalam calendarwomen sing these songs along with a traditional dance form called Thiruvathirakkali" 1t is
considered as a ritual as well as an entertainment. Some of these songs are used for marriage and
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also in the season of =nam. /ost of them are related toKaikottikkalidance form with clapping!.
isten to track no" 11 in the listenin- disk &or Thirvathira Paattukal e0amples"
14. ,rah&%n% Paattukal
Sung by cast calledPushpaka" This community is basically originatedby:rahminan upper cast in 1ndia! community. They prepare the garlands and flowers for the use
in temples. They have the right to sing in temples. /ostly found in Kottayam and Thrissur district.
1n northern Kerala, they are known asPappinikal" Pappinikal are almost e$tinct now.They decorate
the place with white and red cloths, leaves of coconut tree, mango tree and banyan tree and they put
kolam4with ground rice. Singing starts in early morning till afternoon and again from evening till
midnight.
15. Maapp%la Paattukal
#rabs spread the 1slamic principle while there was trade relation
between 1ndia before :>> years mostly in 6orthern part of Kerala. Some of them got married tolocal people and settled down here and created Maappila community. Maappila Paattukal
originated from these people. They created a special language called #rabic&/alayalam by mi$ing
/alayalam and #rabic.Maappila paattukalwere written in this new language. These songs were
transferred through generations by oral tradition. -irst written book on Maappila paattucame out
before ;>> years called Mohayidheen Maala. 1nitially the subjects were religious in nature
describing the saints in 1slam. #round ?@>s /oyinkutty Vaidhyar changed the religious nature of
Maappila Paattukal by writing songs related to love, revenge, separation and entertainment.
#nother section of Maappila Paattukalwritten by /oyinkutty Vaidyar was calledKathu Paattukal.
Kathumeans letter. These were songs written for lovers as message to their partners. Generally
Maappila Paattukalwere sung during many occasions like marriage and delivery. =uring marriage,
people dance with clapping to the songs called =ppana Paattukala type ofMaappila Paattukal.
#nother type of Maappila Paattukalis calledMailan@i Paattusung during marriage with =ppana
dance.
=ppana
isten to track no" 12 in the listenin- disk &or Mappila Paattukal e0amples"
; Kolamis traditional 1ndian decoration and patterns made with ground rice, particularly during festivals.
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1!. Curry Paattukal
The subject of these songs are cooking. They e$plain cooking of
certain vegetables or discuss about how to cultivate these vegetables and gardening. $amples are
Aheera +aatu, Kumbala +aattu and /anga +aattu.
1#. Van-% Paattu "r Valla&kal% Paattu
+revalent in #lappu(ha, Kuttanad and #aranmula regions in Kerala.
There are different types of Vanji +aattukal called Thanduvali +aattu and Thu(ha +aattu sung
during they row the boats Vanji or Vallam!. They sung these songs during the boat races to keep all
the people who row the boat in synchroni(ation. Vachu +aattukal are sung when they reduce the
speed of the boat and Kuthu +aattukal are sung to tease other teams during boat race.
Van@i paattu
isten to track no" 1 in the listenin- disk &or Van@i Paattukal e0amples"
1t is a sad fact that many of these genres are near e$tinction because many of the
younger generation from these communities are not ready to take these folk tradition as their career.
These days students are learning the folk songs only for the sake of competitions like Kerala State
Bouth -estivals. # new trend evolved in past few years is the evolution of fusion bands like #vial,
they use the folk songs and mi$ it with some other genres. *e can say that these fusion attempt is
for purely entertainment, but the real purpose of folk songs or proper study related to these songs ismissing in these attempts.There are also pure folk bands like Karinthalakkoottamformed by centre
for folklore studies based in /ala in Thrissur, and Vayali "amboo band are trying to spread
awareness about these culture and preserve these folk tradition. "ut the sad part is that the public
who appreciate these bands becoming very less these days. #nother important aspect is that there is
not much scientific studies related to folk music with regards to its value, theory, origin and its
impact in the community. So it has become a real challenge to preserve these rich culture .
-olk songs are an important part of our culture. 1t had a an important role in
moulding the society in the current form. 1t speaks about human emotions, social values, and
religion. *e can also study about history through this songs as there were no written proof about
some historical events. 1t is becoming very hard to find out details of certain folk music forms thesedays. *e get only written information about most of the genres. #s these traditions are so precious
to be preserved for ne$t generations, the government should take necessary measures to promote
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these traditions by finding out people who sings these folk music traditionally and make these
traditions available for the younger generations.
Bilio!"ap#$
1) 4#ammude Pandathe Paattukal*by =r. V. Vishnunamboothiri9 #ug 0>>C9 published by =A
"ooks Kottayam.
2) )Maappilappaattu $harithravum Varthamaanavum*by V / Kutty9 6ov 0>>D9 published
by State 1nstitute of Eanguages Kerala"
3) )Keralathile #aadan Paattukal oru Sama-ra Padanam* by =r. Sasidharan Klari9 /ay
0>>9 +ublished by 8live publications.
4) )Theyyam Thirakalude Thottam Paattukal* (y =r. /. V. Vishnunamboothiri9 /arch 0>>C9
published by Aurrent "ooks.
5) )#aadan Kalakal #aadan Paattukal*by =r. V Vishnunamboothiri
!) 4Keralathile #aadan San-eetham*by =r. V Vishnunamboothiri#) )Musical >erita-e o& 'ndia*by /anorama Sharma