atulaTheyyam
January 9th 2008 04:32
Theyyam is a popular ritual dance of Malabar viz North Kerala in India. It also called Theyyattam. i.e Theyyam means Daivam (God) in Malayalam (the regional language of Kerala). It’s a unique combination of dance, music and also reflects the main features of a tribal culture. It’s a religion based ritual dance.
This folk art has a myth; the age-old belief that Goodness destroys evil. Every Theyyam symbolises a holy purpose as declared by Lord Krishna in the Bhagawad Gita.
Theyyam performance has an aura of divine splendour as its accompanied by rituals & other devotional hymns. Its indeed an unprecedented experience to watch this dance symbolising the ultimate power.
Amongst devotees, Theyyams are supposed to have curative powers and a divine personality representing the deity.
Certain dangerous feats performed by the Theyyams are again attributed to the divine power vibrating in them during the performance like Theyyams "Thaiparadevatha, Thee Chamundi, Puthiya Bhagawathi etc:
Dancing with a crown of hair(mudi) as tall as a coconut tree viz around 10 to 12 metres (Thaiparadevatha)
For the Theyyam caled "Thee Chamundi", Fire embers are set upto a height of 2 metres and the performer wearing tender coconut fronds tall on it in a cool, nonchalant manner.
Burning wicks of wire will be tied around the waist of the performare of "Puthiya Bhagawathi" and the performer will dance inspite of the burning heat and exposure to flames. Fire walking with this heavy dress is again a dangerous act. An unskilled artiste could even have an accidental death. This immunity to fire will simply awe everyone.
The Theyyam performers have to strictly adhere to certain principles to build the self confidence and courage. The rigorous fasting ranges from 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, 21 days to 40 days. The performers are supposed to drink a concotion of Millet only. In some cases they have to stay in a separate place and should have vegetarian diet only. They are forbidden from consuming liquor during this period. During fasting, face drawing and wearing the ceremonial dresses they have to recite mantras. Fire related theyyams have to recite Agni mantras.
The Theyyam performance is a harbinger of social justice and social equality.
The Theyyams are exclusively performed by the male members of the traditional caste groups like Malayan, Vannan, Navilan, Pulayan, Koppalan and Velan. They actually belong to the scheduled castes and tribes. Its an act of the backward castes who come from a very poor economic background. They were the untouchables for the superior castes. But then at the time of performance all their social degradation is completely eliminated.
During December to March of every year we can see Theyyams in different part of Northern Kerala, mainly in Kannur & Kasargod districts.
This folk art has a myth; the age-old belief that Goodness destroys evil. Every Theyyam symbolises a holy purpose as declared by Lord Krishna in the Bhagawad Gita.
Theyyam performance has an aura of divine splendour as its accompanied by rituals & other devotional hymns. Its indeed an unprecedented experience to watch this dance symbolising the ultimate power.
Amongst devotees, Theyyams are supposed to have curative powers and a divine personality representing the deity.
Certain dangerous feats performed by the Theyyams are again attributed to the divine power vibrating in them during the performance like Theyyams "Thaiparadevatha, Thee Chamundi, Puthiya Bhagawathi etc:
Dancing with a crown of hair(mudi) as tall as a coconut tree viz around 10 to 12 metres (Thaiparadevatha)
For the Theyyam caled "Thee Chamundi", Fire embers are set upto a height of 2 metres and the performer wearing tender coconut fronds tall on it in a cool, nonchalant manner.
Burning wicks of wire will be tied around the waist of the performare of "Puthiya Bhagawathi" and the performer will dance inspite of the burning heat and exposure to flames. Fire walking with this heavy dress is again a dangerous act. An unskilled artiste could even have an accidental death. This immunity to fire will simply awe everyone.
The Theyyam performers have to strictly adhere to certain principles to build the self confidence and courage. The rigorous fasting ranges from 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, 21 days to 40 days. The performers are supposed to drink a concotion of Millet only. In some cases they have to stay in a separate place and should have vegetarian diet only. They are forbidden from consuming liquor during this period. During fasting, face drawing and wearing the ceremonial dresses they have to recite mantras. Fire related theyyams have to recite Agni mantras.
The Theyyam performance is a harbinger of social justice and social equality.
The Theyyams are exclusively performed by the male members of the traditional caste groups like Malayan, Vannan, Navilan, Pulayan, Koppalan and Velan. They actually belong to the scheduled castes and tribes. Its an act of the backward castes who come from a very poor economic background. They were the untouchables for the superior castes. But then at the time of performance all their social degradation is completely eliminated.
During December to March of every year we can see Theyyams in different part of Northern Kerala, mainly in Kannur & Kasargod districts.
Thai Paradevatha
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