Villu Paatu (Bow Song)

Villu Paatu, literally 'bow song,' is performed using a large curved bow strung with bells and struck rhythmically with sticks, accompanied by a small ensemble of singers and percussionists who narrate stories — often local legends of village deities (such as Ayyanar or Madurai Veeran), episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, or morality tales — across an evening-long performance held during temple festivals, particularly in southern districts like Madurai, Tirunelveli, and Kanyakumari. The lead performer typically strikes the bow while singing verses, with the ensemble responding in call-and-response chorus, weaving humor, devotion, and social commentary into extended storytelling sessions that can run for hours. Though its popularity has declined with the spread of modern entertainment, Villu Paatu is preserved by folk troupes and occasionally features in cultural festivals and school curricula as an example of Tamil oral storytelling tradition.