Theyyam – Sacred Art of Kerala 
Theyyam's starting points are said to be from the old fine art of Kaliyattam. It is said that Parasurama, the 6th manifestation of Lord Vishnu and the organizer of the State, authorized celebrations like Kaliyattam, Puravela and Daivattam or Theyyattam toward the northern residents of the Kerala. Alarming, charming and purifying Theyyam is a craft of Kerala with over thousand years of history joined to it. A custom move Theyyam is a significant type of love for the individuals of Malabar. 


Roots of Theyyam 

The individuals of North-Kerala see Theyyam as a God and look for his favors. At first Theyyam was a type of ancestral love which throughout the years ingested the components of Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism, yet its innate roots are as yet obvious in its Mother Goddess clique and practices like soul love, precursor revere, snake venerate and so on.

In a general public with troublesome station framework that precluded lion's share from securing populace passage into sanctuaries Theyyam turned into a mainstream type of love since it grasped individuals everything being equal, standings and even religions. While sanctuaries and symbols had a place with the upper-station, Theyyam was performed by the lower-positions, yet such was the respect for the consecrated move that even the upper-rank Brahmins looked for favors of Theyyam and belittled it.

Notwithstanding this the roots of Theyyam are covered in riddle. You'll hear clashing starting point stories for Theyyam. We know beyond all doubt that the custom exists in neighboring Tulu talking locales of Karnataka and it is trusted Theyyam originated from that point. Simultaneously Keralolpathi relates the narrative of how Parasurama authorized Theyyattam to the individuals of Kerala.

We can make certain of just a single thing, which is Theyyam has its underlying foundations in antiquated ceremonies that return to the later phases of Stone Age. It depends on the shortsighted rationale that after specific customs like the god or goddess of the sanctuary transiently shows in the body of the entertainer.




Theyyam and The Gods

Theyyam speaks to a large group of Gods and Goddesses and all things considered has horde structures. Theyyam isn't only a solitary move dramatization played by capable craftsmen; there are around 400 types of Theyyam with extraordinary style movement, cosmetics (the specialists paint their appearances and bodies), outfits and music. The most well known types of Theyyam are Pottan, Vishnumurthy, Kari Chamundi, Raktha Chamundi, Veerali, Gulikan, Nagakanni, Bhagavati, and Muthappan.

The specialists show staggering force and their magnetism rubs on to the onlookers as they watch in amazement, transfixed, and some of the time shipped to a very surprising world. The ensembles, cosmetics and headgear of the Theyyam entertainers are very intricate and nitty gritty as the entertainers are representing the magnificence of different legendary awesome structures like divine beings, goddesses, evil presences and spirits.

Contingent upon which divinity they are speaking to Theyyam is extravagantly wearing coconut shells and fronds, their countenances are painted in brilliant mixes of red, orange or dark in mind boggling designs. 

Generally the entertainer is dressed is red or orange and wears adornments such breastplate, bogus nails, anklets, and so on. Theyyams likewise wear face covers, eye veils or dentures. The last bit of the group to be worn, regular to all, is the crown which finishes his change to Godhead.




At the point when the entertainer wears the hood he takes a gander at his appearance in a hand held mirror and right now, called mukhadarshanam, 


He changes into God, for when he investigates the mirror his eyes don't meet his, however of God!!!








After the presentation Theyyam favors the individuals, he once in a while talks giving Individuals messages and it is accepted he has the ability to recuperate. The exhibition is remedial to spectators in light of the purifying impact it has on them, purging them of their negative vitality.





Theyyam – The Art Form

Theyyam is not quite the same as different specialties of Kerala, it does not have any complex signals or outward appearances or the beauty of different crafts of Kerala like Kathakali and Mohiniyattam, rather it has crude vitality and military dramatization that prompts compelling feelings in the spectators. Theyyam is certainly not for weak willed!
Recently Theyyam is picking up ubiquity as a performing workmanship. Kamal Haasan in his Uttama Villain plays a Theyyam craftsman. Theyyam troupes exist that perform at your desire, yet in such an exhibition Theyyam is another of the numerous specialties of Kerala and not the heavenly move of the Gods and Goddesses.
Kathakali, the move show, discovers its underlying foundations in Theyyam. Thiyyattom and Mudiyettu are firmly identified with Theyyam. In a manner Theyyam could be said to be the mother of expressions of the human experience of Kerala.

When and Where to Experience Theyyam?

In the event that you need to encounter Theyyam as a sanctuary custom it is savvy to visit a sanctuary during the celebration season. Through mid-October to June Theyyam is performed across 400 sanctuaries over North-Kerala. 

A Remarkable special case is Parassinikadavu Temple where Muthappan Theyyam performs day by day.

Parassinikkadavu Sree Muthappan Temple 


In the event that  decided to forego the ceremonial part of Theyyam, at that point  can select to see a presentation by a troupe. Such troupes may perform Theyyam as well as different specialties of Kerala. This is a decent alternative on the off chance that you are a craftsmanship darling.

Closing Thoughts on Theyyam

Theyyam is unquestionably more than legends; it's a fabulous presentation of authorizations with entertainers moving with incredible move rhythms and serious articulations. The inspiration radiating from these move structures will absolutely entrance the watcher. At the point when the entertainers authorize their moves through inconceivable and truly adaptable moves, breaking coconuts with their head and bouncing into the conciliatory fire and leaving it solid, you realize you've seen everything. 


The vitality of Theyyam, the vibrations that lovers and sightseers feel at the stature of the celebration, is unquestionably something you should involvement with least once. In the event that you are arranging an outing to Kerala among December and April, do put Theyyam on your schedule.






Remember, however that Theyyam is the move of the Gods and it is ideal to encounter it with their endowments