Nettipattom

Nettipattom is an ornament used in Kerala to decorate template elephants(aka:Caparison). Elephants wear it on its forehead. Nettipattom is made with Gold and Copper. Nettipattom is an integral part of Kerala culture. Nettipattom and Muthukkuda are a contribution of Buddhism.[1] There are different types of Nettipattom like Churalppuli, Nagapatam, Vengod, etc. Although it is commonly known as Nettipattom, it is called Thalaikkettu in temples.

Not to be confused with Nettippattom, a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language film.

Behind the name

The word Nettipattom came from Pali language. In Pali, ‍the word Pattam means leaf.[2]

History
An elephant wearing Nettipattom

In Buddhism, to give a special status, they used to keep a Banyan tree leaf on the forehead. This was known as giving "Pattam". The template elephants used for template festivals used to specially decorated with Banyan tree leaf. Later the leaf got replaced by an ornament and it got the name Nettipattom.

Production
Vannakkinnam

Nettipattom is mostly made in Thrissur. Thrippunithura is another place where it is made. It is made by stitching metals balls in special shapes into cotton and jute sacks. Mostly it is made in Copper. Brass is also used although rarely. Be it copper or brass, it is later painted with gold for the yellow shine.

Nettipattom is a complex ornament. It has 11 objects in the shape of half moon, a pointed object called Koomban kinnam, 2 round ones, 37 half balls, 40 full balls, 1 kalanji and 5000 small bubbles inside it.

Koomban kinnam

References
  1. പി.ഒ., പുരുഷോത്തമൻ (2006). ബുദ്ധന്റെ കാല്പാടുകൾ-പഠനം. കേരളം: പ്രൊഫ. വി. ലൈല. ISBN 81-240-1640-2.
  2. പി.എം., ജോസഫ് (1995). മലയാളത്തിലെ പരകീയ പദങ്ങൾ. തിരുവനന്തപുരം: കേരള ഭാഷാ ഇൻസ്റ്റിറ്റ്യൂട്ട്.
  • Nettipattom made out of Gold
  • Nettipattom made in Silver
  • Mahout helping an elephant wear Nettipattom
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