Archive · 23 Jan 2026
Kerala Recognizes Valmutty as First Music Village
In a small village called Valmutty in Kerala, music is a big part of everyday life.
The people there, mostly from a community called the Paanars, have been singing traditional songs for over 2,200 years.
These songs, called Thuyilunarthu Paattu, are sung to wake up the gods and are passed down through generations without any written notes.
The village has been officially recognized as Kerala's first 'Music Village' because of its rich musical history.
The Paanars have always been musicians, traveling and performing in ancient times.
Today, Valmutty is a place where everyone sings, and music brings the community together.
The recognition is a big deal because it helps preserve their culture and might bring more support for the village's musicians.
Valmutty, a village in Kerala, has been declared the state's first 'Pattu Gramam' or Music Village by the Chittur–Thathamangalam Municipality.
The village is home to the Paanars, a community with a 2,200-year-old musical heritage mentioned in ancient Sangam literature.
Traditional Thuyilunarthu Paattu songs are passed down through generations without formal training or written notes.
Notable figures like Thathamma and Deivanai, State Award-winning folk singers, have contributed significantly to the village's musical tradition.
The recognition aims to preserve the community's cultural heritage and address social and economic barriers faced by the musicians.
- Who
- The Paanars, a community in Valmutty, Kerala
- What
- Valmutty has been declared Kerala's first 'Pattu Gramam' or Music Village
- When
- The recognition was officially granted by the Chittur–Thathamangalam Municipality
- Where
- Valmutty, a small village in Palakkad district, Kerala
- Why
- To acknowledge the village's 2,200-year-old musical heritage and the community's dedication to preserving traditional music
- Location
- Valmutty, Palakkad district, Kerala
- Community
- Paanars
- Musical Tradition
- Thuyilunarthu Paattu (devotional wake-up songs)
- Recognition
- First 'Pattu Gramam' (Music Village) in Kerala
- Ancestry
- 2,200-year-old musical heritage mentioned in Sangam literature
- Notable Figures
- Thathamma and Deivanai (State Award-winning folk singers)
- Current Population
- 54 households
- Instruments
- Yaazh, Kuzhal, guitars, drums