ShodhPatra: International Journal of Science and Humanities

Chilambu: A Research-Oriented Bharatanatyam Exploration of North Malabar’s Thottam Pattu

Thottam Pattu is a traditional ballad form associated with Theyyam, the ritualistic art form of North Kerala, believed to have originated around the 13th or 14th century CE. As an invocatory hymn (Stotram), it is sung to praise the deity (Deivam) during the preparatory stages of Theyyam—either the day before the performance or during the makeup ritual—accompanied by percussive instruments such as Chenda and Tudi. Despite its cultural richness, Thottam Pattu remains largely inaccessible to outsiders, as Theyyam performances are confined to Kavu, Tharavadu, and Kazakam spaces within Kannur and Kasaragod districts. The ballads, composed in ancient Malayalam infused with Sanskrit, Dravidian, and Prakrit elements, encapsulate profound moral and social themes but are rarely documented due to their oral transmission within specific communities. This study seeks to decode and interpret Thottam Pattu as a cultural text and to explore its performative potential through Bharatanatyam choreography. By merging the narrative and emotive depth of Thottam with the expressive grammar of Bharatanatyam, this research aims to present a cross-cultural performance that bridges folklore and classical tradition, making the ethical and aesthetic essence of Theyyam accessible to a wider audience.