Thotam is a very important ceremony that cannot be left out in Theyyam. It is also called Ilam kolam. Thotam means song of praise. The lyrics of the Thotam song are done in olden days. In addition to the praise, each Theiyat’s totam will mainly include the mythology of that Theyyam, heroic deeds, characteristics, swarupas, places of residence, and the reason for coming to earth.
The person who is going to perform the Theyam wears a special costume and usually sings Thotam by beating the tone on a chenda placed on a pedestal. There are Thotam that finish in a short time, and gardens that last for hours, sometimes with assistants besides the one who is going to tie the mat to sing the Thotam. The Thotam of Theyyam like Makam, Kativannur Veeran and Bali Theiyam can last for hours. Similarly, some Theyyam doesn’t have thottam.
Thotam has different parts. Varavalli, Anchadi, Stuti, Polichu Patt, Aniyara Thotam and Urachil Thotam are all included in it. Each of these parts sung at each stage have specific purposes.
It is said that the Thottam sings to call God. When the legend is described in five feet, God is being praised in praise. Polichu song is the part that describes the glory of Theyyam. Aniyara Thotam is sung by the helpers in the Aniyara during the tying of theyam. Like that, at certain stages, Theyam starts to grow very strong, and in those cases, it is definitely defeated.
കരിപ്പൂരംവള്ളി , ശ്രീ മാന്യമംഗലം, ബദരിയിൽ മഠം, കാമുംഞ്ചെയ്തു
കാറ കൂറ നായരെ വാൾമേലും തോൾമേലും
ഒളിവളർന്നു കൊണ്ടിതോരു ബാലിയേരി വേട്ടയ്ക്കൊരുമകൻ ദൈവേ
അന്നേ നാലാളെ, ഇന്നേ യോഗത്തിനാലേ
അങ്കത്തിനും പടക്കും കൂട്ടത്തിനും കുറിക്കും
അകമ്പടിക്കും സൊരൂപത്തിനും നല്ലതിനെ ചൊല്ലി കൊടുക്കാൻ
എഴുന്നള്ളി വരിക വേണം
വേട രാജാതിരുമകൻ ബാലിയേരി വേട്ടയ്ക്കൊരുമകൻ ദൈവം …. ഹരി !
