Theyyam

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Theyyam
Puliyoor Kali Theyyam at Mathamangalam
Native nameതെയ്യം
GenreRitual art form
OriginKolathunadu(North Malabar), Kerala, India

Theyyam (/t̪eːjjəm/; romanised: teyyam) is a Hindu religious ritual practiced in northern Kerala and some parts of Karnataka. Theyyam is also known as Kaḷiyāṭṭaṁ or Tiṟa. Theyyam consists of traditions, rituals and customs associated with temples and sacred groves of Malabar.[1] The people of the region consider Theyyam itself as a channel to a god and they thus seek blessings from Theyyam.

In Kerala, Theyyam is performed predominantly in the

Tulunadu
region of neighbouring Karnataka.

Theyyam season starts from the tenth day of the Malayalam month of

Kalarivathukkal Bhagavathy Temple, both being the family shrines of Kolathiri
royal family.

Overview

There are about 456 types of Theyyams documented. Theyyam is mainly performed by males, except the Devakkoothu theyyam; the Devakkoothu is the only Theyyam ritual performed by women.[2] Devakoothu is performed only in the Thekkumbad Kulom temple.[3]

Theyyam is typically performed by people from castes and tribes like Pulayar, Vannan, Malayan, Anhoottan, Munnoottan, Mavilan, Koppalan, Velan, Chingathan, Kalanaadi, Paravan, Nalikeyavar, etc. Of these, Kalanaadi people perform only in Wayanad district, while Parava, Pambada, Paanaara and Nalikeyavar perform in places north of Kerala, Mangalapuram(Mangalore) and Udupi districts.

In

Thiyyar, Nambiar, Vaniyar, and Maniyani communities.[4][5]

History

Video documentary on Theyyam
Bali Theyyam at Andalurkavu

Theyyam has a long history. "There can be no doubt", say Bridget and Raymond Alchin, "that a very large part of this modern folk religion is extremely ancient and contains traits which originated during the earliest periods of Neolithic, Chalcolithic settlement and expression."[6][full citation needed]

There are approximately 400 types of Theyyam, including Vettakkorumakan, Kathivanoor Veeran, Vishnumoorthy Theyyam, Muchilot Bhagavathi and Sree Muthappan.[7]

The word Theyyam came from Daivam (

caste system. The ancestor worship ritual was later evolved into the elaborate dance ritual that is seen nowadays. Incorporating many other local beliefs.[8]

Classification of sub-cults

Theyyam at Muzhappilangad

According to

Bhagavathy
.

Different branches of mainstream

cockfight as a blood sacrifice, is a prime example of "cultural synthesis of 'little' and 'great' cultures".[10]

On account of the late revival of the

Tuluvas and then further incorporated as a prominent folk deity into the Theyyam as well. To some, the legend of Vishnumoorthi is symbolizes the god's migration from Mangalore to Kolathunadu
.

All other categories of Theyyam deities can be classified under Shaivism or Shaktism. Even spirits, ancestors, heroes, and animals are deified and included in those categories. Briefly, Theyyam provides a good example for the religious evolution of, and the subsequent different stages in modern Hinduism, with the overall understanding that within Hindu syncretism lay propitiation as ancient practices and rituals of ancient worship intended for the blessings of the supernatural not unlike, "in Indus Valley and other ancient civilizations, mother goddess had been invoked for fertility and prosperity".[11]

Patronage

Out of devotion, ruling clans established their own shrines and Kavus for Theyyam deities where non-sattvic rituals and customs are observed. The goddesses like Rakteshwari, Chamundi, Someshwari, Kurathi, and the gods like Vishnumoorthi are propitiated in these household shrines. There, the Theyyam dancers appear during the annual festivals of gods and goddesses. The rituals in such shrines are different from those of the Brahmanical temples. The impact of this cultural fusion could be traced to the social organisation based on the caste system and in the agrarian relations. The inviting of Brahmin Thanthri to consecrate the idols of Kavu is a recent development.[12]

Ritual performance

Face art of Theyyam is one of the best examples of folk painting in Kerala
Kandanar Kelan Theyyam performing on bonfire

The dance or invocation is generally performed in front of the village

ancestor-worship
with elaborate rites and rituals.

There is no

headdress
is worn on this occasion.

The dancer along with the

face painting. Some of these patterns are called vairadelam, kattaram, kozhipuspam, kottumpurikam, and prakkezhuthu. Mostly primary and secondary colours are applied with contrast for face painting. It helps in effecting certain stylization in the dances. Then the dancer comes in front of the shrine and gradually "metamorphoses" into the particular deity of the shrine. The performance signifies the transitional inversion, reversal, and elevation of status denoting the anti-structural homogeneity of Theyyam.[13] He, after observation of certain rituals places the head-dress on his head and starts dancing. In the background, folk musical instruments like chenda, tudi, kuzhal and veekni are played in a certain rhythm. All the dancers take a shield and kadthala (sword) in their hands as continuation of the weapons. Then the dancer circumambulates the shrine, runs in the courtyard and continues dancing there. The Theyyam dance has different steps known as Kalaasams. Each Kalasam is repeated systematically from the first to the eighth step of footwork. A performance is a combination of playing of musical instruments, vocal recitations, dance, and peculiar makeup (usually predominantly orange) and costumes. The Kathivanoor Veeran Theyyam is one of the famous theyyam in Kerala[14]

Types of theyyam

There are about 456 types of theyyam (theyyakkolams), among which 112 are famous. Some of the famous theyyams are:[15]

Kathivanur Veeran

Main article: Kathivanoor Veeran
Kathivanoor Veeran Theyyam

The Kathivanur Veeran theyyam is performed in the memory of the great Thiyya community warrior Mandhappan Chekavar.[16][15]

Muchilot Bhagavathi

Muchilot Bhagavathi is a virgin goddess and the tutelary deity of the Vaniyas of North Malabar. According to local legend, she was a Brahmin woman born in the mana called Maniyottu in the village of Peringellur, near Taliparamba[17] and elevated to the status of a deity. According to a holy manuscript (Pattola), Muchilot Bhagavathi is the Kali Yuga avatar of the goddesses Sita of the Treta Yuga, Maya of the Dvapara Yuga, and Gayatri, who appeared before Sage Vishvamitra. While travelling on Earth, she is believed to have rested at the home of Muchilot Pada Nair, who was a soldier belonging to the Muchilot clan among vāṇiyas.[18]

Muchilot Bhagavathi

Vishnumoorthi

Main article: Vishnumoorthy Theyyam
Vishnumoorthy Theyyam

It is the most popular

Vaishnava Theyyam. This theyyam narrates and performs the story of Hiranyakashipu's death by Vishnu in his avatar of Narasimha. Because of this, Vishnumoorthi is also called Narasimhamoorthi.[15]

Muthappan

Main article:
Muthapan
Thiruvappana or Valiya Muttapan (Vishnu) on left and the Vellatom or Cheriya Muttapan (Shiva) on right

Muthapan. The uniqueness of it is that it is performed only once in all the Muthapan temples.[15]

Padikutti Amma

The Padikuttiyamma is believed to be the mother of

Parassini Kadavu in the Meenam (a Malayalam month).[15]

Gulikan

Gulikan represents Yama, the Hindu god of death. The Benkanakavu (Venganakavu) in Nileshwar is the most famous temple dedicated to Gulikan.[15]

Padamadakki Bhagavathy

It is performed in the Koroth Temple. The legend behind the Padamadakki Bhagavathy theyyam is that the Nileswarr Raja prayed to the goddess for help from the invading army from Karnataka and Devi sent Padamadakki Bhagavathy for help. Upon seeing the Padamadakki Bhagavathy, the attacking army became unconscious and thus the war was averted.[15]

Manakkott Amma

Manakkott Amma Theyyam is performed in the Vairajathan Temple in Nileshwar. The Manakott was a woman born in a Nair family. She opposed the caste system that existed at that time. When she broke a caste rule, she was killed by the head of the family. She was pregnant at that time. Her murder caused a lot of problems in their family and was finally destroyed. She was posthumously deified, considered to be a goddess.[15]

Kuttichathan

Main article: Kuttichathan Theyyam

Kuttichathan is a famous theyyam.[15] The theyyam is associated with the Brahmin Family of Kalakatt Illam situated in Payyannur. It is believed that Kalakattachan, angry on him being a threat to his respect in the society, tore Kuttichathan into 396 pieces. There emerged 396 Chathans from the torn pieces and set the Nambudiri's house to fire, and burnt nearby Brahmin houses. It is claimed that Kuttichathan can grant any wish if the devotee prays to him with faith.[15]

Chamundi

Chamundi theyyam is majorly of three types, namely Madayil Chamundi,[15] Rakta Chamundi,[15] and Kundorra Chamundi.[15]

Madayil Chamundi

Chamundi is identified with Kali, who slew the asuras Chanda and Munda and drank the blood of the asura Raktabija, without letting a drop fall to the ground. Chamundi is also known as Rakta Chamundi (Blood Chamundi) and Rakteshvari (Goddess of blood) because she is immersed in blood. It is said that in the battle with the asuras, Kali followed them to the underworld to resume the fight. This form is called Patalamurti and Madayil Chamundi because she travelled to the underworld.[15]

Known as Kundora Chamundi, Kundadi Chamundi and Kundoor Chamundi, this goddess is the image of Kali who killed Darikasura. This theyyam was built by Velanmar.[15]

Puthiyaramban

Puthiyaramban is regarded to have been the greatest warrior of the region called Allada Swaroopam, possessing supernatural power as well as knowledge and skill in kalari (a regional martial art). After a great victory, he is believed to have been betrayed in Nanummel Kali (Kalari). He was posthumously deified. Puthiyaramban Theyyam is performed in Puthiyaramban Tharavadu, Sree Kappattu Kazhagam, Sree Kannamangalam Kazhagam and Udinoor kulom.

Recent development

Main article: Divination

A Theyyam museum is proposed to be built at Chanthappura in Kalliassery assembly constituency of Kannur district in 2019.[20][21]

See also

References

  1. ^ "In Kerala's conflict heartland, a Muslim Theyyam in a Hindu ritual". 16 January 2020.
  2. ^ "'Devakoothu'; the lone woman Theyyam in North Malabar". Mathrubhumi.
  3. ^ "Devakoothu: This year, Devakoothu gets a new face | Kozhikode News - Times of India". The Times of India. 23 December 2012.
  4. ISBN 9788170992141
    .
  5. ISBN 9788172144586
    .
  6. ^ Alchin, Bridget; Alchin, Raymond (1968). The Birth of Indian Civilization. p. 3039..
  7. ^ "Devakoothu: This year, Devakoothu gets a new face | Kozhikode News - Times of India". The Times of India. 23 December 2012.
  8. ^ "Devakoothu: This year, Devakoothu gets a new face | Kozhikode News - Times of India". The Times of India. 23 December 2012.
  9. ISBN 9788170992141
    .
  10. ISBN 9788170992141
    .
  11. ISBN 9788170992141
    .
  12. ISBN 9788170992141
    .
  13. ^ Mathew, Raisun and Pandya, Digvijay. "Carnivalesque, Liminality and Social Drama: Characterising the Anti-Structural Potential of Theyyam." Rupkatha Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities, vol. 13, no. 3, 2021, pp. 6-8, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v13n3.28
  14. ^ "For ethereal nights, walk with the Theyyams of Kannur".
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Various forms of Theyyams". Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  16. ^ "Reviving tradition Theyyam season begins in northern Kerala".
  17. ^ "Muchilot Bhagavathi Theyyam | THEYYAKKOLAM". Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  18. ^ History of Muchilotu Bhagavathi http://www.thekeralatemples.com/templeinfo/bhagavathy/karivellur_muchilottukavu.htm
  19. ^ "Muthappan devotees gather for festivities". City: Thiruvananthapuram. Manorama News. TNN. 9 January 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  20. ^ "Kannur: Sophisticated Theyyam museum coming up". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  21. ^ "Theyyam museum sought at Chandappura". The Hindu.

Further reading

External links

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