There are about eighteen varieties of Kuratti Theyyams performed by Malayas, Velas, Mavilas, Koppalas, Cheravas and Pulayas. These theyyams are different in form, appearance and performance.
There are many (varying) myths regarding Kuratti. Siva and Parvati wandering in the guise of Kuravan and Kuratti is one of them. Malankurathi and Pullikurathi Theyyams performed by Velas are based on Parvati. On the other hand, the Kuratti Theyyam performed by Pulayas is referred to as Parvati's daughter at one place.
Kuratti Theyyam performed by Pulayas has the Mahabharata link. Pulayas mostly consider Kuratti as one who revived Pandavas from the effect of abhicara. The Kuratti Thottam of Pulayas of northern Kerala describes a theme similar to that in Mavaratham Pattu (Song of Mahabharata - popular in south Kerala) and the Nizhalkkuttu Pattu (Song of Shadow Piercing) recited by Velas, Pulayas and Malayas of north Kerala [5].
On the day prior to the theyyam ritual, the performer (kolakkaran) puts on light costume and makeup, stands in front of the diety, sings with the accompaniment of musical instruments and gets possessed towards the end. That form is called thottam and the song sung by the thottam is known as thottam Pattu. In Malayalam, the word thottam could mean feelings, creation, revival, epiphany etc.
The thottam (song) [5,6] begins by mentioning the war between the five Pandavas and the Hundreds (popular way of referring to Kauravas, since they are hundred in number). The five Pandavas threw fruits of Peera (a small fruit with bitter taste) at Hundreds and the Hundreds threw lemons at Pandavas. The Hundreds were defeated in this war of fruit-throwing.
Deciding to harm Pandavas by using abhicara, the Hundreds summon Malayil Malankuravan. They ask him to perform abhicara on Pandavas. Kuravan replies that since the Hundreds and the five Pandavas are lords to him, he is not willing to do abhicara. The Hundreds threaten him by asking him to vacate the hill where he is staying. Under threat, the Kuravan is forced to perform the task.
The Kuravan installs items of black magic such as copper and tin plates, severed heads of cat, cock etc., along the path of Pandavas and performs abhicara. The Pandavas become unconscious and they lie on the ground.
The next day, Malankurathi (wife of Malankuravan), discovers the scene. She recognizes this as the work of Malankuravan. She bathes and arrives with medicines. She takes a wooden seat of Pala (a tree), draws magical circles and pins down (magical fixing) the Kuravan. Then she performs the reverse abhicara. She discovers and removes all the items of black magic installed by Malankuravan. She removes the effect of abhicara and the Pandavas are revived.
In part 2 of the thottam, Kuratti is described as daughter of Parvati. Here there is also a very brief mention of Siva, dice game, fives and the hundreds.