Music is the art of sounds. Like language, music is a unique form of communication. Conversation takes place only when the speaker and the listener speak the same language. But language is not a problem to listen and enjoy the music. It is not easy to say when music began or from which cultures the music originated.

The proximity of the sea may be the reason for the Keralite’s love of music. Rhythm is the unique feature of Kerala music. Perhaps, Kerala may be a region where largest numbers of musical instruments are played. Performance of Panchavadyam in which percussion and wind musical instruments are blended will certify that Kerala is immensely rich in music. In tribal societies, music has an important role in religious rituals and serves as a form of communication with supernatural beings. Tribal of Kerala still follow the pre-Dravidian music. Chattupattu is the excellent example. Thottampattu is another primitive form of Kerala music. Panarpattu still represent the pre-Dravidian tradition. Similarly, Pulluvanpattu is sung even now to please the snake-deities. Kerala has three styles of music combining religion, social set up and folk culture. Temple music developed in temples with separate style of musical forms, singing, and usage of specific ragas and thalas (rhythm) and to the accompaniment of special musical instruments. It followed its own culture, customs and rites in different regions.

Another style of singing classified as Nadodi Sangeetha in association with the day to day activities of the people conforming to the respective social strata and customs to which they belonged. Folk Music is the music that reflects diversity of ethnic group of people, their lifestyle and culture. It consists of songs sung through ages. There may not be a written musical notes and prescribed standards. One learns it by hearing. The composers of folk music are unknown to the present. It is simple in style. Folk music exists in many different forms and under a variety of social and cultural conditions. Ayyappanpattu, Bhadrakalipattu, Bhagavathypattu, Bharanipattu, Chattupattu, Gandharvanpattu, Kalamezhuthumpattu, Kalampattu, Kalashapattu, Kanipattu, Kaniyanpattu, Kamanpattu, Kannerpattu, Kurunthiripattu, Kuthiyottampattu, Mannarpattu, Marakkalapattu, Maripattu, Mundiyanpattu, Nallummapattu, Panarpattu, Pappinipattu, Poorakalipattu, Poothpattu, Sanghamkalipattu, Sarpampattu, Sarpapattu, Theeyattupattu, Vallapattu, Velarpattu, and Villadichanpattu, are some of the songs of Kerala that can be classified under devotional, ritual and folk songs.

Kathirupattu, Kattapattu, Kevuvallapattu, Koithupattu, Malakilapattu, Njattuvelapattu, Pulayanpattu, Thinapattu, Vandipattu, Vattipattu are some of the the folk songs related to various items of work.