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"God's Own Country"—the name itself paints a picture of Kerala. It’s a land where serene backwaters meet lush landscapes, where the aroma of mouth-watering cuisine fills the air, and where ancient traditions like Kathakali and Ayurveda are woven into the very fabric of life. Festivals like Onam explode with color and celebration, making it a true paradise.
But in this divine abode, there’s one spectacle that stands apart: the captivating folk art form of Theyyam.
Performed in the regions of North Malabar and parts of neighboring Karnataka, Theyyam is more than just an ancient ritual—it is a living embodiment of the divine. The very word is a derivative of the Malayalam word Deivam, meaning "God" or the “Incarnation of God.” For the people of this region, Theyyam is a moment when a divine power descends from the heavens, leaving the confines of the temple to be with the community.
Instead of the divine being a distant, untouchable entity, the spirit of Theyyam is believed to embody the performer, creating a living deity right in their midst. This allows people to forge a direct and personal connection, sharing their sorrows and fears with a divine presence that listens and understands. Combining fervent devotion with dance and music, this sacred folk tradition acts as a continuous act of protection, safeguarding the people and their land. It's a source of immense pride and a cherished part of the cultural heritage of North Malaba
Historical Background and Significance
Theyyam, a celebrated folk tradition of North Malabar, is venerated by all communities, transcending caste boundaries. This ancient practice is a fundamental part of village life in the region, with its performances concentrated in Kerala's Kannur, Kasargod, and Wayanad districts, as well as parts of northern Kozhikode and even some areas of Karnataka.
Despite its wide appeal and diverse following, the ritualistic performances are primarily conducted by individuals from the Scheduled Castes, including the Malayan and Vannan communities. They are joined by performers from other minor communities such as the Velan, Anjoottan, Kopalan, Vettuvan, Kolathari, Pulayan, and Mavilan.
Far from being a simple folk art form, Theyyam is a complex fusion of artistic and ritualistic elements. Performers are adorned in bold and vibrant ornamentation, featuring intricate face designs, elaborate costumes, and towering headdresses. Theyyam performances are a powerful combination of ritualistic dance, divine transcendence, music (driven by the rhythms of the Chenda), painting, and sculpture. This tradition is not just a performance; it is a profound expression of devotion and an integral part of the region's cultural heritage.
The Theyyam season traditionally begins on the tenth day of the Malayalam month of Thulaam (mid-October) and continues until the middle of Edavan (late May). It is a deeply personal and communal practice, with each family and village often having a specific family deity or village god who is worshipped in the form of a Theyyam. The performances are held in both homes and temples, either as special offerings for specific occasions or as part of annual festivals, serving as a powerful link between the divine and the community.
The precise origins of Theyyam remain unclear, though the rituals are associated with tantric practices and may have emerged from ancient fertility cults, pre-modern agrarian societies, or hero worship dating back to the Sangam Period. This art form is a synthesis of tribal, Dravidian, and Aryan cultural practices. Many of its forms are confined to specific local communities, with the right to perform them held exclusively by certain groups.
In its current form, Theyyam is linked to the work of Manakkadan Gurukul, a tantric saint. He presented 39 different forms of Theyyam to King Chirakkal Tampuran of the Kolathiri dynasty. Of these, 35 forms were consecrated, becoming the foundational performances of the Theyyam tradition as it is known today.
The Gods of the Dance
In this folk tradition, a wide range of deities are honored, all built on a core belief system. The deities are either taken directly from the Hindu Pantheon or are derived from local folk tales and historical figures who inspired reverence. Each deity requires a different set of rituals, with more than four hundred distinct Theyyams categorized as either major or minor deities.
Since a Theyyam performer is believed to manifest the physical presence of a deity, the rituals honor a wide array of divine figures. This includes major gods and goddesses, as well as deities associated with mountains, trees, and forests (Vana Murtis). The performances also pay homage to historical heroes and warriors, soldiers, and hunting gods (Nayattu Devatha).
Interestingly, Theyyam also embraces cultural diversity by incorporating Muslim characters such as the Ummachi Theyyam, Bappiriyan Theyyam, and Aalibhootham. This shows the community's profound respect for the divine as a unified force, regardless of religious differences in India.
Theyyam performances often challenge established caste and social hierarchies. The ritual invocation of shakti, or cosmic energy, can lead to actions that defy traditional social order.
This can be seen in the narratives of certain Theyyams, such as the Muchilottu Bhagavati Theyyam tells the story of a young woman ostracized by patriarchal Brahmin scholars, and the Thottinkara Bhagavati Theyyam is about a woman from the Thiyya community who was murdered by high-caste rulers for reading a religious book. The various Theyyams include:
Gulikan Theyyam
“Flipbook of Theyyam, the Dance of the Divine | Theyyam, the Dance of the Divine,” Kerala Tourism, n.d.,
Gulikan
This unique Theyyam represents Yama, the Hindu god of death, and is believed to have been born from the left toe of Lord Shiva. The performer wears a large headgear made from the areca nut palm, adorned with tender leaves. The costume also includes a mask marked with Lord Shiva’s trident (trishul) and ornaments made from coconut leaves.
Bhairavan Theyyam
“Flipbook of Theyyam, the Dance of the Divine | Theyyam, the Dance of the Divine,” Kerala Tourism, n.d., https://www.keralatourism.org/ebrochures/malabar-theyyam-dance-of-th-devine/3/4/.
Bhairavan
As the prime deity of the Paanan community, the Bhairavan Theyyam is related to the Shaivism cult. The ritual is performed at night, and its story is found in the Periya Puranam, a work of Tamil literature.
Paradevatha Theyyam
“Flipbook of Theyyam, the Dance of the Divine | Theyyam, the Dance of the Divine,” Kerala Tourism, n.d., https://www.keralatourism.org/ebrochures/malabar-theyyam-dance-of-th-devine/3/4/.
Paradevatha
This Theyyam embodies the fierce goddess Bhadrakali, who is believed to have been born from Lord Shiva’s third eye to destroy the demon Darika.
Kuttichathan Theyyam
“Flipbook of Theyyam, the Dance of the Divine | Theyyam, the Dance of the Divine,” Kerala Tourism, n.d., https://www.keralatourism.org/ebrochures/malabar-theyyam-dance-of-th-devine/3/4/
Kuttichathan
This theyyam is an incarnation of Shaivite strength, created by Lord Shiva to bless the childless devotees, Kalakkattamma and Kalakkattachan. The performer wears a small headgear made of tender coconut leaves. The Theyyam can also take the form of the fish incarnation of Lord Vishnu, in which case the headgear is shaped like a fish tail.
The Theyyam Performance: A Sacred Journey
Theyyam is a tradition primarily performed by men, with the notable exception of the Devakkoothu Theyyam, which is performed by women. The main festival, known as Kaliyattam, generally takes place between November and May according to the Malayalam calendar. These rituals are organized by prominent families or caste communities and are held in a shrine. Additionally, some Theyyam festivals, like Perumkaliyattam and Nerchakaliyattam, are held every 12 or more years to celebrate extraordinary events.
The Role of the Kolakaran
The main performer, called the Kolakaran, embodies the deity and undergoes a disciplined lifestyle, including two weeks of abstinence, before the ritual begins. The performance typically lasts three to six days, with each day dedicated to a different stage of the transformation.
- Day 1 (Thorram): The Kolakaran begins with a ritual prayer song and wears a small part of the crown.
- Day 2 (Vellatam): The performer paints their face and body and wears half of the designated outfit, but without the sacred crown.
- Day 3 (Full Transformation): The performer wears the rest of the sacred crown, completing their transformation into the deity.
Once in character, the Kolakaran recites prayer songs, and as the music intensifies, he strikes his body with sharp swords. He also chants prophecies and spells to ward off evil and grant blessings. The entire community participates, often according to their social status. Some performances, like the Thettam Vellatam, are highly interactive, with the Theyyam sometimes chasing or directly engaging with the audience.
Attire and Ornamentation
The costumes and makeup of Theyyam performers are incredibly significant, varying in complexity and style to reflect the character's power and persona. The most crucial part of the costume is the Mudi, or headgear, which is uniquely designed for each deity.
The attire is a fusion of natural materials and intricate ornaments. Theyyam skirts or waist dresses are crafted from coconut fronds, areca leaves, and bamboo slivers. For instance, the skirt for the Kathivanur Veeran Theyyam is made from bamboo pieces wrapped in red cloth, while the Theechamundi and Pottan Theyyams use coconut fronds. Some Theyyams, however, wear only a simple cloth known as a mundu.
Ornaments worn by Theyyam performers vary by character. They typically wear bangles (Katakam and Chutakam), amulets, and ankle bracelets. Certain Bhagavathi Theyyams have specific pieces like a long silver teeth ornament (ekir), a silver crown with serpent heads, or an intricately carved golden collar. Performers also use wooden breastplates (Marmula) and breasts made of dried coconut shells.
The face painting is done with natural colors from rice flour, turmeric, and charcoal. Red is a predominant color, symbolizing energy, power, and anger, and is traditionally made by mixing turmeric and limestone. The intensity of the makeup and costuming is often matched by the performance itself.
Mukhathezhuthu Theyyam Mask by Sheratone Antique Arts
The use of masks is an essential part of the Theyyam performance, serving to visually represent the divine. After the face and body are painted, performers don masks and elaborate headgear to embody their chosen deity, as seen with the unique mask for Gulikan. Similarly, the goddess Edalavuratha Chamundi is depicted with a mask made from wood that features a painted tongue sticking out. These masks are typically crafted from areca palm wood and are brightly colored with palm leaves and vibrant shades of orange, white, yellow, and red, with black used to add highlights and definition.
Conclusion
Theyyam is more than a folk art; it is a profound cultural and spiritual tradition from North Malabar that serves as a direct, living link between the divine and the community. As a synthesis of tribal, Dravidian, and Aryan practices, this complex ritual involves performers from specific communities who undergo a multi-day transformation through elaborate costumes, masks, and makeup. The performance, which combines dance, music, and prayer, transcends caste and religious boundaries, challenging social hierarchies and allowing the community to connect with a diverse pantheon of deities, from Hindu gods to local heroes, in a deeply personal and protective way.
REFERENCES
- Bird, Tim. “Theyyam: The Indian Trance Where Men Become Gods,” June 28, 2023. https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230628-theyyam-the-indian-trance-where-men-become-gods.
- Kerala Tourism. “Flipbook of Theyyam, the Dance of the Divine | Theyyam, the Dance of the Divine,” n.d. https://www.keralatourism.org/ebrochures/malabar-theyyam-dance-of-th-devine/3/4/.
- MAP Academy. “Theyyam - MAP Academy,” May 26, 2025. https://mapacademy.io/article/theyyam/.
- ———. “Theyyam Masks - MAP Academy,” December 9, 2023. https://mapacademy.io/article/theyyam-masks/.
- “Theyyam - a Ritual Art Popular in North Kerala | Kerala Tourism,” n.d. https://www.keralatourism.org/artforms/theyyam-ritual/1/.
