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Introduction |
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Theyyam is a form of worship where
man dons the guise of God and
propitiates the Gods through
possessed dancing; Theyyam is also
known by the name Kaliyaattom. The
performance of Theyyam is supposed
to make life prosperous and remove
all hazards. |
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Theyyam |
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Theyyam is perhaps the most
significant ritualistic art form of
Kerala – God’s Own Country. Theyyam
has its etymological origin from Daivam,
i.e., god in vernacular. Theyyam is
performed in mainly in the North
Malabar districts of Kannur and
Kasargod in Kerala State, India.
Though Thira prevalent in Malappuram
and Kozhikode districts and Bhootham of
South Canara region and Kasargod
district have similarities with
Theyyam, when one goes into the
details, it will be seen that they
are very different from each other. |
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The staging area of Theyyam is known
as kaavu. Kazhakam, Muchilottu,
Mundiya, Sthhaanam, Kottam, are the
other names for the staging area.
Theyyam is also performed at home
and fields by erecting temporary pathi as
the staging area. |
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Temple/Kavu (Devastanam) - Usually
Theyyam performes at Kavu |
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Theyyam forms |
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Vishnumoorthy, Puthiyabhagawathi,
Pottan, Kathivanoor Veeran, Gulikan,
Rakthachaamunnddi,
Madayilchaamunnddi, Vayanaattu
Kulavan, Kutty Shaashsthan, are the
popular Theyyam forms. It is
estimated that there are about 450
Theyyam forms. Click
here for complete theyyyam's name |
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Vishnumurthy |
Muchilot Bhagavathy |
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Pottan Daivam |
Puthiya Bhagavathy |
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Theyyam is performed between the
10th day of Thulam (Malayalam month
corresponding to mid-October
/mid-November) and middle of Idavam
(Malayalam month corresponding to
mid-May/mid-June). This is the
period between the completion of the
year’s harvest and preparations for
the next year’s harvest. This period
for Theyyam is the time for prayers
for a good harvest, prosperity and
general social solidity. |
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Theyyam usually considered as ritual
art and the only members of
particular communities like Vannan,
Malayan are allowed to perform these
rituals. The headgear and other
ornaments that are clad on the
performers body are huge in size and
appearance. Different costumes like
leaf dress, headdress, breastplates,
bangles, arm ornaments and other
body decorations are to be prepared
in advance before the
performance. |
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History of
Theyyam
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According to
Hinduism, all the
creation-preservation-destruction
activities in the universe are
controlled by the three Gods –
Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara
(Shiva), respectively. For
upholding righteousness, these
gods appears in many godly
guises and incarnations. For
propitiation of these gods,
apart from ritualistic worship
and sacrifices, man also gave
form to donning their godly
forms and performing as another
form of worship. These became a
part of their culture, underwent
many changes over time, and is
an evolution of the clan
culture. Each Theyyam has an
underlying storyline; that of
Pottan Theyyam is as follows:
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temple priest
(komaram / Velichappadu)
will jumps through wooden
pyre just before theyyam
performance
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“To remove the
caste consciousness in the mind
of Shankarachaarya, who, after
gaining supreme knowledge, was
on the way to Mount Kailas to
ascend the Seat of Omniscience,
Shiva along with Parvathi,
Nandikeshvaran, and eight
acolytes appear in front of him
in the guise of Pulayas (an
untouchable caste in Kerala).
When Shankarachaarya demands the
untouchables to make way for
him, a debate on the lack of
reason in casteism takes place; Shankaraacharya is stumped for
replies, and realising his
mistake, prostrates himself in
front of the Pulayas.”
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As indicated in
the storyline, Pottan Theyyam
has three parts: 1)
Pulamaaruthan (Nandikeshvaran)
2) Pula Pottan (Shiva) 3)
Pulachaamundi (Parvathi). The
storylines of most of Theyyams
are associated with the triple
Godhead of Hinduism, especially
Shiva. Vishnu who incarnated as
Narasimha to save his devotee
Prahlada is Vishnumoorthy.
Shiva, who in order to expiate
his sins of decapitating Brahma,
becomes a skull-bearing
mendicant-itinerant is Bhairavan.
Parvathi’s terrifying
incarnation to kill
Daarakaasuran is Bhadrakaali.
Parvathi who had to descend to
the earth due to a curse from
the Sun God is Kuraththi. When
Shiva and Parvathi donned the
guise of hunters and had a
progeny, he was Vettakkorumakan.
When they took on the forms of
tigers, their progeny are the
Pulitheyyams. When Shiva, in a
terrible rage, smacked his left
thigh with his right hand, that
gave birth to Vayanaattu Kulan.
The god who cures sickness –
Kanntakarnan – originated from
space between the ears and
throat of Shiva. Vasoorimaala
was born from the eye of Shiva.
Shiva recreates Yama,
incinerated by him, from his own
big toe – and he is Gulikan.
There are many such examples.
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Theyyam Costumes
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The costumes of
Theyyam are made out of cutting
and painting coconut sheaths in
black, white and red patterns,
fresh coconut fronds form
skirts, fashioning breasts out
of dry coconut shells and tying
a red cloth around the waist.
The facial decorations are
intricately designed with
enriched symbolism. Theyyam is
performed in the courtyard of a
house or village temple, as the
artist gets ready and the spirit
of the deity is evoked during
the nighttime. The hood,
headdress, face painting,
breastplate, bracelets, garlands
and fabric of attire of each
theyyam are distinct and
meticulously crafted. Also
called Thirayattam, (Because
every thira or village performed
this ritualistic art at the
village temple) this primitive
ritualistic ritualistic art
demands long hours of
preparation before the
performance.
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Costumes -
Man to God, costumes makes this
transition |
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Theyyam Performers |
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Theyyam’ performers belong to one of the Hindu
communities (Malayan, Vannan, Velan (Thuzhuvelan),
Koppalan, Mavilan, Chingatthan, Panan, Parayan,
Pampatharavan, anhuttan, Munnuttan etc.). Each individual caste has the right
to perform certain deities and all performers
must poses a wide range of extraordinary skills.
They must know the ritual and character of every
deity. They have the inherited right to perform,
know-how to sing, dance with the drum, do the
complicated make-up and dress their costumes. Theyyam artistes are male. It is not a
profession or calling that can be adopted. The
artist's shrine rights are always inherited from
the mother's family and when he marries, he also
acquires the shrine rights of his wife's family.
The artistes share a common training and
tradition in which the process of becoming the
deity is achieved after intense mental, physical
and spiritual preparation. All Theyyam artistes
must be able to do much more than just perform.
Every deity's physical appearance conforms to an
image envisaged centuries ago in the dream or
vision of a respected guru. An artist must know
how to make the headdresses and costumes of all
the deities, how to apply the face and body
makeup in all the different styles and designs,
how to sing, play the drums, and know the
stories, songs, and character of each deity. |
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Theyyam Artists: |
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Kannan Peruvannan - Vayalapara
(Performed Kandanar Kelan 1013 times),
Ramachandra Panicker - Cheruthazham,
Pattuvam Rama Perumalayan - Keecheri (38
years perumalaya position honoured), Karivellur Athiyadathu Kannan Peruvannan.
Dr.Y.V Kannan Master, Kunhimangalam. |
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Temple
(Kavu) |
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Angakulangara Kavu, Oravankara Kavu,
Kakkara Kavu, Kappattu Kavu, Chembilot
Kavu, Kannangattu Kavu, Karakkeel Kavu,
Chembilot Kavu, Cheralathu Kavu,
Thiruvarkkattu Kavu, Andaloor Kavu,
Palot Kavu, Urpazhassi Kavu, Muchilot
Kavu ..... more kavu/temple list
click here |
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