Folk Music of Kerala

7/24/2019 Folk Music of Kerala

1/9

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


2/9

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


3/9

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


4/9

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!.


5/9

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"


6/9

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


7/9

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.


8/9

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


9/9

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

Folk Music of Kerala

Documents

Transcript of Folk Music of Kerala