About This website: An Attempt
was made to popularize Theyyam - famous
and powerful ritual performance of North
Malabar through this website.
Information presented here is collected
from various sources; information
collected from lots of Souvenir
published on occasion of Theyyam "Kaliyattam"
and details taken from articles of
famous personalities. You are most
welcome to submit details of more
theyyams and Kavu near your place. Please
forward all your queries with regards to
website to theyyamritual@gmail.com
Madayil Chamundi -
Beauty of Theyyam
About
Theyyam
Theyyam is an artistic dance form where
metaphysical thoughts and expressions of
immortal souls are impersonated to a believer
through a mortal body. Theyyam originated from "Kaliyattam"
once practiced by the tribal community of north
Kerala. Theyyam had grown to the present form
through many transformations since it’s origin.
Landlords and chieftains of those days are the
main forces behind many of such transformations.
The community and its body began to use this art
to propagate the major theme of social
enforcement. The artists are also encouraged by
the authorities to introduce new themes into its
traditional layers and classified different acts
and expressions to match specific needs for
their desire. The character representations were
very broad. They range from mild to wild in
representations. Theyyam is a sect in which old
heroes are sanctified and worshipped as the
guardians of villages and homes. Yet, it
includes a complex universe centered on the
belief that a man can—after suitable mental,
physical and spiritual preliminaries—don the
costume of a particular deity and then become
that deity. In this elevated state he assumes
superhuman and divine powers—speaking, moving,
blessing and even healing as a god or goddess.
What is crucial is that the person is not
possessed by the spirit of the deity.
Kavu (Devastanam) - Usually
Theyyam performes at Kavu
Theyyam Performance:
The performance is always preceded by
preliminary rituals. Certain deities are
initially honored with the tottam, or song
ritual, when the artist, wearing a simple
costume and with minimal makeup, sings the song
that relates not only to the deity's myth, but
also to the origins of his or her relationship
with the particular shrine. For the more active
warrior gods, a vellattam, or energetic ritual
dance incorporating martial arts, is required.
After this the performer will retire to a
temporary structure to be made up and costumed
as the actual Theyyam. When the moment comes, he
will enter the shrine to complete the ancient
and complex process that has already begun
edging him out into an extraordinary otherness.
The most sacred and powerful element of the
costume, the mudi or headdress, is put on once
the artist has been seated on a sacred stool in
front of the sanctum. After this comes the
actual moment of "becoming" the deity, the
moment of crossing the line, as he stares into a
small hand-held mirror. It is at this point
that, almost imperceptibly, he slips into
another state of being, his eyes widening as
they focus not on his own reflection, but on the
enigmatic features of a divine being. This is
the moment of fusion, the defining moment known
as mukhadarshanam, or the seeing of the face. It
is the moment when a mortal becomes a god.
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.
Face Painting - Theyyam to
Theyyam differs
Theyyam Costumes:
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.
Costumes -
Man to God, costumes makes this
transition
Denis Florent:He came all the
way from France and studied about
Theyyam ritual and finally he got
Doctorate in studies relating to Theyyam
ritual. Still he used to visit
Kannur and near places on Theyyam
season. Denis Florent, a person
paralyzed in accident, still loves our
culture and devoting his life for
learning more and more about Indian
culture and customs.
Theyyam Researchers:
Dr.M.V Vishnu Namboothiri, Dr.Raghavan
Payyanad, A K Ramakrishnan Master, Prof.
T Appukuttan, Dr. R C Karippath, Dr A K
Nambiar, Kuttamath A Sreedharan, Sambu
Master Kodakkad.
Kunhimangalam Narayanan Master:
Face
painting of Puliyoor Kali - an art work
done by him
contact : theyyamritual@gmail.com
Click on each Photo or Name to see details of theyyam.
