The initial phase in a theyyam performance is usually marked with an act called thottam. The term thottam is derived from the word sothram.Thottam can be considered as a narration using which the gods are requested to be inhibited into the theyyam artist.During the thottam, the history of theyyam is also narratted, Literally thottam means to create, appear.Theyyam artist pray infront of the kaav and he is dressed with a red clothe covering the head.Simple dress and only makeup being the sandle paste over areas like, forehead, shoulders, chest and so on.Thottam is basically a realisation through which theyyam artist get converted into the god.Thottam is usually followed by chenda in the background. Theyyam artist also perform on chenda though on a very light notes.