Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.1450.2

c8.1450.2

Worship of devatās, honouring heroes, entertainments, philosophy, science, caste-professions, morals, ethics etc., generally formed the themes for folk songs. There are a number of folk-songs in Malayālam called Saṅghakkali, Tiyāṭṭu, Olappāvakkuttu, Ezhāmatu Kali, Kāṇippāṭṭu, Nāṭṭuppāṭṭu, Vaṭṭippāṭṭu, Pūrakkalippāṭṭu, Aṭaccutaruppāṭṭu, (Pulluvarpāṭṭu, Nizhalkūttuppāṭṭu, Bhadrakālippāṭṭu, Tirayāṭṭu etc. All these songs are reflective of the spiritual thoughts and ideas of the masses. Also, there is a special series of folk-songs called Vaṭakkanpāṭṭus (songs of the north). All the Vaṭakkanpāṭṭus are heroic songs. They are folk-songs eulogising the heroic deeds and achievements of certain heroes and heroines of exceptional courage and prowess who flourished in olden days in north Malabar. Though there are more than four hundred such songs, only thirtyfive of them have been printed and published yet. These songs, which call for no special training or gifts for their singing or require any special knowledge in music for their appreciation, take their roots in the hearts of the common people. Almost all these songs are connected with Kalaris (schools where gymnastics are taught), Aṭavu (strategic feats of the duel fight), Payattu (physical training) and Aṅkam (fight). Descriptions of the challenges by heroes, clashing of arms and the way youngsters get out of danger by their intelligence and prowess are really exciting and exhilarating to read.