Theyyam
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YEAR-WISE DEVELOPMENTS
As in 2023
August 26, 2023: The Times of India
Hours before dawn, a Theyyam performer is being prepped at a village in Kannur, Kerala. Bright scarlet is smeared all over his face and body, followed by intricate designs in black and yellow. A sixfoot-high crown of tender coconut leaves is placed on his head. Then, four flaming torches are tied around his waist. The performer looks at himself in a mirror and starts to tremble. Mere mortal moments ago, he has now transformed into a deity who can leap onto a heap of embers, heal your pain, and answer your prayers.
Each Theyyam Is Different
Theyyam is an ancient ritualistic dance encompassing 500-700 variations. It is commonplace across Kerala’s Kasaragod and Kannur districts, although some forms of Theyyam also exist in parts of Kozhikode and the Tulunadu region in Southern Karnataka. Cultural historian KK Gopalakrishnan says the facial makeup, costumes and names of Theyyams can differ even on the two banks of a river. The name ‘Theyyam’ applies to not only the dance form but also the artiste and their performance. Gopalakrishnan, who has written the book, ‘Theyyam: Indian folk ritual theatre through the eyes of an insider’, says some Theyyam artistes perform without break for 20-24 hours. “Effectively, it is a transformation into God. Once the makeup is done and adornments worn, there is a moment when the Theyyam looks at his reflection in a mirror. That moment completes his transformation from man to God, and you can see it in his face. ”
A Theyyam artiste undergoes rigorous training and days or weeks of pious abstinence to feel a divine possession before a performance. The rich palette of colours and the variety of adornments ensure that a Theyyam’s mere presence is overwhelming. People address their prayers and concerns to the Theyyam even today, and find solace through their interactions with these godlike mortals.
‘Embers Feel Like Ice’
Ravi Panikkar did his first Theyyam at age 25 and went on to perform its Theechamundi variation numerous times. In this form, the Theyyam runs and jumps onto a pile of embers, called meleri, multiple times. The ritual is known as Agnipravesham, and each time he falls into the fire, the Theyyam shouts, ‘the embers feel like ice!’ His assistants pull him out quickly before his costume is burnt.
Gopalakrishnan says a Theyyam’s helpers are no less important. “For instance, in Theechamundi, there could be unburnt wooden pieces called kallakolu that can prick the Theyyam and cause serious injuries. It is the helpers’ job to watch out for kallakolu. ” Panikkar’s fearless performances – he would jump into the embers more than 100 times in the span of a few hours – took a toll on his body. He developed cochlear imbalance and can’t perform anymore. “Now, my sons perform the Theyyam. I go with them and do whatever I can to help. It hurts me that I can’t perform anymore, but my body simply cannot cope with it now,” he says.
Above Caste Hierarchies
Theyyams are usually men from around 15 backward caste communities, says Gopalakrishnan. “Most are from the Vannaan and Malayan communities. There is a social as- pect to this because a labourer who obeys his employer most days of the year gets elevated into a divine figure as a Theyyam. That day, even his employer bows before him in reverence and listens to his commands and directions. ”
Babu Anjoottan is a Theyyam from the socially backward Velan community. He manages a fuel pump and is a member of the local unit of the Communist Party (CPM). However, as a Theyyam, he interacts with the people through Vamozhi, a distinct style of speaking, listens to their concerns and offers blessings for up to 14 hours at a time.
Anjoottan says the Theyyam art form has been the big- gest influence on his life. “I remember seeing my father’s adornments for Theyyam and his preparations. Theyyam is a divine art form. Such spirituality consoles humans in times of trouble. ” He left active political work after finding social work and Theyyam conflicting, but remains a member of the party. His son is a Theyyam too.
Codified 5 Centuries Ago
Theyyam is almost as old as the Dravidian civilisation, but it was practised among the working classes to seek rain, a good harvest, etc. Tradition has it that the scholar and tantric Manakkadan Gurukkal provided a proper form for Theyyam through an interaction with a 16th-century Chirakkal king.
“Until then, it was a very regional art form practised as part of ethnic worship. Legend says the king approved 35 of the 39 Theyyam forms Manakkadan Gurukkal performed. His recognition gave Theyyam legitimacy among all classes,” says Gopalakrishnan.
Lone Goddess Among Gods
In Theyyam, beings other than gods and goddesses are also worshipped.
There’s Puli (leopard) Theyyam, Muthala (crocodile) Theyyam, a Theyyam for serpents, etc. “Also, there are Theyyams connected to ancestral/ghost worship in families as well as performances which began due to astrological recommendations,” says Gopalakrishnan.
Devakkoothu is the only temple ritual related to Theyyam that’s performed by a woman, and it takes place only at the Thekkumbad Kulom temple near Cherukunnu in Kannur. Legend says the goddess had lost her way inside the Thazhekad flower garden when Narada rescued her, and the spot where he found her is the site of the Bhagavathy temple.
Ambujakshi Amma, who works as a sweeper at a post office, is the lone woman Theyyam performer today. She took over the place from her aunt who had fallen ill. “I first saw Devakooth when my son played the role of Narada and my aunt performed Devakooth,” she says, adding, “People, starting from children, show me reverence and they have been calling me amma (mother) since I started performing. ”
Ambujakshi eagerly awaits the Theyyam season when she gets to transform herself into a goddess. It generally begins by the end of October and ends in lateMay or early-June with specific performances at Mannampurathkaavu (Kasaragod), Maatayikkaavu and Kalarivaathukkal (Kannur).
