Theyyam

Theyyam is a ritual, also considered as an art form practiced in the Northern Malabar area of Kerala. There are close to 450 Theyyam where each Theyyam is worshiped by different family, communities, sacred groves called Kaavu or villages. Each Theyyam performs once in a year, two, three and even in a gap of 12 years but confined to a specific date of Malayalam calendar. mostly between October and April of the year.

The article talks about Theyyam, its origin, different Theyyam, socio economical and biodiversity connect as well will go through the flow of performance.

Theyyam and its Origin

Theyyam is a ritualistic dance form being performed in the Malabar region of Kerala. A ritual which combines theatre, mime and worship often includes stories from Hindu mythology embody spirit of God or ancestors in several names. During the process the performer transforms himself from mortal man to immortal Gods and Goddesses and manifests supreme power by strange demeanor. As Theyyam is considered the connect between human and God, it’s a common practice for devotes talking and getting counselled with Theyyam about their difficulties and seek blessings.

Theyyam brings a deep spiritual experience where the performance takes place in ancestral homes, village temples or sacred groves (kaavu). The elaborate rituals, colorful costumes and heavy rhythmic music adds to it. The rituals, song, drums, paintings, garments and accessories vary for different Theyyam and no two Theyyam rituals are identical. Theyyam represents a character where the performer is called Kolam.

The Origin: There are different versions in connection with origin of Theyyam. The story related to Lord Parasuraman; the 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu is the mythical story connected with Theyyam. Some says Theyyam is attributed to ancestral worship where some says its derived with the fear of torturing by upper caste towards lower cast. If we look into the era of caste system, a Theyyam is performed by lower caste where the upper caste bow in front of Theyyam during the performance. This makes us believe that it would have originated as a rebel ritual-art to express the struggle against the problems rooted in patriarchal hegemony and caste system which would have connected with ancestral worship to give a spiritual element for better acceptance.

Different Theyyams

There are close to 450 Theyyam as of now where some article says it was much high and has come down due to various reasons. As per the data provided in Kerala tourism website, out of 456 Theyyams, 120 Theyyams are significant as of now. Four of the Theyyams are mentioned here with their story and significance.

• Vishnumoorthi Theyyam : Vishnumoorthi Theyyam is connected with Narasimha avatar of Lord Vishnu as well Palanthai Kannan, a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. In both cases related to Lord Vishnu which says Vinshumoorthi Theyyam is to please Lord Vishnu
• Sree Muthappan Theyyam : Sree Muthappan is considered the God of common people worshipped in the northern Malabar region of Kerala and is being considered as the manifestation of Siva. The myth followed includes Muthappan belonged to a tribal family where some others says wife of King Ayyankara Vazhunnor, Padikutty got the child from a river which was floating in a basket. In both cases the child while grown up used to have fish and toddy. Sree Muthappan Theyyam is performed to please Sree Muthappan which is being performed all year, unlike other Theyyams which performs only on specific day of the Malayalam year.
• Guligan Theyyam : Gulikan Theyyam represents the Hindu God of death, Yama. The myth followed is in connection with Lord Siva where he killed Lord Yama to save his devotee Markandeya from being killed. Later when the cycle of death is been affected, Lord Siva pressed the thumb of his toe to down and from the thumb the Gulikan was born which is being considered as Lord Shiva sent Gulikan to Earth giving the duties of Lord Yaman. Gulikan Theyyam with a typical mask and a huge headgear made of areca palm is being performed to please Gulikan or Lord Siva for long life and to get rid of negative energies.
• Devakkoothu Theyyam : Devakoothu Theyyam is the only Theyyam performed by ladies and happens every two years. The myth goes to six goddesses who descend from heaven to pick flowers, and one gets lost and survived. The women who performs Devakoothu has to undergo rituals for 41 days and M.V Ambujakshi, a native of Madai Kerala is the sole person who does this currently. The goddess associated with Devakkoothu is Valliyamma. Devakoothu is the story of survival and marginalisation of women.

Perum Kaliyattam: In some Kaavu (sacred groves) Theyyam is being conducted in a gap of 12 years, such kind of festivals are called Prum Kaliyattam. Different Theyyams will be performed during Perum Kaliyattam.

The performers

The performers are from the lower cast that too drawn from 15 specific Dalit low-caste group. Each Theyyam is performed by a specific family and the ownership of Kolam (performer) goes hierarchically from father to son. If a performer doesn’t have son, it goes to his brother’s son our guide at Kannur explained. Except Devakkoothu, all other Theyyam is being performed by men even if the story is related to Goddesses. The drummers are from the very lowest cast of Dalits. The performers are treated with respect by all attendees including higher caste.

The Preparation and Performance

Each Theyyam has its own rituals, costumes and rhythm of drums. Theyyam performances are usually held in open arenas in front of village shrines or in joint-family homes or in Kaavu. Chenda, Elathalam, Kurumkuzal and Veekkuchenda are the instruments used in Theyyam.

• Theyyam preparation starts with fasting and rituals for three to seven days which requires 41 days for Devatharu Theyyam. The performer is expected to be in home during the preparation time and is not allowed to consume alcohol or non-vegetarian diet
• Date is being fixed by astrologer looking in to Malayalam calendar and each Theyyam performs on same date as per Malayalam calendar
• The performers and drummists arrive one day prior to performance and the ceremony begins with the beating of drum before dusk
• The Kolam (performer), after putting minimal costume and ornaments look into a mirror and after seeing his own image in mirror, he manifests God in him
• The Theyyam with minimal makeup with a small red headdress and without decorative costume , called Vallattam begins the performance along with music and reciting the story including ritual songs
• The Kolam after the performance of Vallattam goes back to green room and enters back ritualistically waring elaborate costumes and makeup and continues the performance and bless the crowd where he is regarded as divine as long as the headpiece is on.

Costume and Make up

Theyyam performers wear elaborate costumes, headgear, makeup, and jewellery. The makeup is often done by specialists which takes hours to finish. The headgear is made from tender coconut leaves, and the crown is made from bamboo splices and wooden planks where only natural materials are used to make the traditional dyes. Rice paste is used to make white, turmeric for yellow. The dominant color in Theyyam, red, signifies action and energy as well anger and brings a spiritual feel around the performance. It can also be due to easiness of preparing the color or a symbolic representation of telling what’s inside and what’s outside should be same. The red color is achieved with a mixture of turmeric and limestone. Black is produced with rice paddy husk burned and mixed with coconut oil.

Socio-Economical Impact

The line between caste system prevailed would have reduced due to the concept obtained in Theyyam which should have helped the involved people to have better acceptance even after the performance is done. The anti-caste themes used in Theyyams such as Vishnu Moorthi Theyyam adds to this. Promoting Theyyam also boost tourism in the region which brings huge economic impact to the performers as well those involved. Theyyam when showcased in many events as well for youth festivals brings revenue to the artists involved.

Not much has been read on the negative health impact of performers when they undergo strict diet, fasting usage of heavy ornaments as well during the performance. The performers cannot even go to toilet once they are on costume in both cases may adversely impact their health. However, considering the upliftment of backward class by virtue of acceptance as well economy would have brought change in their lifestyle as well the region involved.

Biodiversity & Theyyam

Even though this is being mentioned towards end of article, the author feels this is the most important aspect connected with Theyyam. Connecting God and spiritual power with nature has been followed for long which gives better acceptance and result to what’s required.

Kaavu (Sacred Groves) the smallest form of Rainforest is a classic case of biodiversity and is home to a variety of forest species, including endangered birds, mammals, reptiles, and butterflies. The groves are also home to many ayurvedic plants that were once endemic to the forest. Sacred groves not only preserve the indigenous biodiversity, it also mitigates the effects of climate change.

It is read that number of species of birds which live in the groves are almost consistent over the years, even while the number of wetland birds have decreased which shows the importance of keeping Kaavu

A Kaavu normally have an idol of deity and a lighted lamp which used to be the worship God of people around. Urbanisation as well building temple structure around the deity affects the biodiversity. People also found religious practices to destroy Kaavu and keep only the deity in a corner.

Here comes the importance of Theyyam on biodiversity, when a Theyyam is connected spiritually with Kaavu and the Theyyam is known by the idol of that particular Kaavu, people tend not to destroy biodiversity around deity for any of the reason as they need to perform Theyyam every year and the belief that performing Theyyam every year brings prosperity personally as well to the region.

Conclusion

Theyyam is a ritualistic art form performed in the northern Malabar region of Kerala started to fight caste system prevailed in the time and when connected spiritually brought a different perception as well spiritual wellbeing of people around. The art form brought social and economic benefits to the people involved and is a classic example of connecting spirituality with biodiversity in preserving the nature.

Reference

1. Meghana K. V. | Role of Castes in the Lives of Theyyam Practitioners in North Kerala | International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews
2. Anurag N. T. | Influence of Brahminic Hegemony on folk art Theyyam: Historical analysis of Theyyam myths and socio-cultural events in Northern Kerala | International Journal of English Research
3. https://dsource.in/resource/theyyam-kerala/rituals-and-performance
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theyyam
5. https://www.keralatourism.org/bekal/theyyam-various-types.php
6. https://india.mongabay.com/2019/01/sacred-groves-of-north-kerala-the-last-refuge-for-biodiversity-amongst-urbanisation/
7. https://ecologise.in/2019/03/03/as-keralas-sacred-groves-disappear-the-theyyam-art-form-loses-a-vital-link/
8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zrz6qw1eeL0&t=287s