Vellatam is another form of Totam ceremony which is very important in Theyyam. Like Thotam, Vellatam comes down before the main Theyam comes down. Thotam is a song about the upcoming Theyyam and related stories. But Vellatam is a very simple form of a theyyam that perform before that main Theyyam to be performed. That’s why Vellattam is also called Ilam Kolam (Small theyyam).
Vellatam is performed on the days of Shaivamsa gods and heroes. The Vellatam will be filled with the accompaniment of Chenda Vadyam(drums music). The vellattam of many Theyyam is a small teyam that is as difficult to perform as the main Theyyam and requires extraordinary flexibility.
Like thottam, there will not be many stages of thottam song, unlike Vellattam, there will only be aniyara thottam when dressing up. Later, there will be dancing accompanied by the Chenda Mela(drums music) and some sports performances at Vellattam.
Only male Teyyams usually have vellattas. Totam song is customary for female Teyyams. But in pratara svarupa, both female and male Theiyas have vellattam. Vellatam is not customary for all male Teyyams in Kola Swarupa and Allada Swarupa.
The Vellatams of the Teyyams like Sastappan and Vairajatha are very harsh look. Vairajathan Teyyam Vellatam is also known as Tattum Vellatam. There is also a popular belief that the person who gets hit by Vairajathan Vellatam will die before the next Teyyams festival season.
