PULLUVAN PATTU (SERPANT Dance and Songs)

Pulluvan Pattu(Serpant song)

The song conducted by the pulluvar in serpent temples and snake groves is called Sarppapaattu, Naagam Paattu, Sarpam Thullal, Sarppolsavam, Paambum Thullal or Paambum Kalam. The main aspects of this are Kalamezhuthu (Drawing of Kalam, a ritual art by itself), song and dance.

The form of the serpent is drawn with rice and colour powder.The serpents are worshipped in front of the Kalam and are offered Noorum Paalum (Lime and Milk). After the pooja, the head of the family which conducts the Sarppam thullal gives bunches of coconut flowers to the perfomers who start dancing rhythmically.They fall on the floor in a trance and rub off the Kalam at the end

Pulluvar songs are sung on Aayilyam Pooja, day which is considered to be very auspicious. The presiding deity of the Aayilyam is the serpent.

The musical instruments used by the Pulluvar are veena (a primitive stringed violin), kutam (earthernware pot with strings attached to it) and thaalam (bell-metal cymbals).These instruments are made by the Pulluvar themselves.

The main temples of Kerala where serpent is worshipped are Mannarassaala (Alappuzha District), Paambu Meykkaad (Trichur District), Trippara Temple (Kollam district) and Ametamangalam (Ernakulam District)Velor vattam(Chertala/Alapuzhz Dist)Nagaraja kshetram vadakkanchery. A very ancient temple where serpent worship is performed is Perasseri temple (Kannur District). The ritual is widely performed throughout Valluvanad.