Teipattu
Teipattu, also spelled teippattu, is a term in Tamil literature that designates a traditional form of narrative song or ballad. In scholarly usage it refers to orally composed, sung narratives that recount episodes from myth, legend, or history. The etymology is debated; tei is variably interpreted and pattu means song or ballad in Tamil, but there is no single accepted derivation.
Performance and content: Typically performed by wandering bards or village singers, often in the evenings or
Context and transmission: Teipattu is predominantly associated with Tamil-speaking regions of Tamil Nadu and with Tamil
Modern status: The tradition faces pressures from modernization, urban migration, and changing entertainment preferences, but also