Kerala’s ancient serpent-worship folk music comes alive in Delhi

On August 9, the Stein Auditorium at India Habitat Centre in Delhi was filled with the enchanting sound of Pulluvan Pattu, a centuries-old ritual folk tradition from Kerala linked to serpent worship. Organized by the India Habitat Centre and Anwesha Kala Kendra, both dedicated to promoting India's folk and classical arts, the performance marked the second evening of the IHC Lok Sangeet Sammelan 2026.

Led by Sathyanarayanan P, a renowned performer and recipient of the Kerala Folklore Academy's 2024 Guru Pooja Award, the Sree Sankaran Memorial Pulluvan Pattu Kala Samithi presented the tradition, which has been kept alive through oral transmission within the Pulluva community. Accompanying the singers were Bindhu K P, Suresh Babu E, Sreejith P, and Sreejil P, who played instruments like the Pulluvan Veena, Pulluvan Kudam, and Ilathalam.

The songs, derived from Mahabharata stories, narrate the legacy of serpent deities, including Kadru's thousand serpent sons, King Parikshit's demise by snakebite, and the tale of Krishna and Kaliya. Traditionally performed during the monsoon month of Karkidakam and the Malayalam new year in Chingam, these songs embody the relationship between people, nature, and faith.

KG Suresh, Director of the India Habitat Centre, emphasized that India's folk traditions are not just performances but reflect relationships between people, nature, faith, and generations of knowledge. Anwesha Brahma, Secretary of Anwesha Kala Kendra, noted that Pulluvan Pattu beautifully combines music, ritual, community, and a deep connection with nature. The event also attracted Babu Panicker, President of the International Centre for Kathakali, and other dignitaries from the Malayalee community.