An excerpt from ‘THEYYAM: A DOCUMENTATION OF THE RITUAL, FORM & SPACE’ a compilation of works by foundation year students (2021-22). A week-long field study was conducted at Payyanur, Kannur – one of the oldest settlements of Kerala. The student cohort of 63 is led by 3 faculties. The objective of the study was to document the ritual of Theyyam, its form, and associated spaces. Students witnessed a 2-day long annual theyyam festival at Arathil Pilathottam Sri Thai Paradevatha Kizhakkera Chamundi Kshethram , Pilathara, Kannur dated on Feb 27th & 28th, 2022. The following 5 days were spent documenting the forms & spaces related to Theyyam- ranging from Kavu to Kottam to Illam – in and around the said precinct. The study was well-supported by expert lectures facilitated by Dr. V Jayarajan, founder and chairman of Folkland, International center for folklore and culture, Thrikkaripur Kannur who is closely associated with the art form as well as the region. The following drawings are produced during the study.
Theyyam is a ritualistic performance in the North-Malabar region of Kerala, India. It carries ritualistic elements such as worship and penance along with the convergence of various other forms like dance, painting, and music. The legendary and mythical characters in Theyyam performances are acted out by artistically skilled men of the exploited sections of the society like the Malayas, Pulayas, Vannans, Velans, and Thiyyas. The word ‘Theyyam’ is believed to be a corrupt form of a Sanskrit word, Daivam, which means God/ Goddess. Thus theyyam can be described as a form of worship consisting of a special combination of symbols, rituals, and art forms, particularly dance, through which ghosts, good and evil spirits, in the manifestation of sub-human, animate beings, ancestor spirits of legendary figures of great valor, extraordinary powers, endowments of Gods and Goddesses are appeased and honored.
Theyyam reveals the human capabilities of abstraction, synthesis, and idealization; it describes social and economic activities and reveals practices, beliefs, and ideas. Theyyam originated from rituals and practices of primitive society – the tribal living and culture. Many of the Theyyam heroes and heroines, before they were deified, were members of that society. They were ordinary people. Some of them belonged to those social sections which were considered to be lower castes and had to face expulsion from the prevailing social system. Some others were people who had suffered terrible strokes of misfortune.
Among the great Theyyam heroines, some women were victims of cruel injustices inflicted upon them by jealous family members, unscrupulous males, or arrogant upper-class people. Like all folk stories and local histories, found anywhere, even in the Theyyam stories, we can find the aspects of resistance to an unrelenting authority or a social custom. A natural insistence on human justice is the underlying theme of many Theyyam myths. The observer/devotee thus can be directly related to many of these stories. With their strong appeal to a sense of justice and human dignity, Theyyam still remains very close to people, with their narratives going straight into the heart and souls of the people.
For more information contact the institution for a copy of the book.
Editors: Justin Stanly & Siva Namberi
Faculty Team: Anoop P, Eby T Sunny, Elezebeth B, Justin Stanly, Remya R & Siva Namberi
Student Team: Abin, Adwaith, Afsan, Suhail, Aliena, Alna, Ameen, Sharon, Asna ,Ayisha Nasrin, Basima, Elsa, Greeshma, Immanuel, Jeslin, Miza, Sumayya, Muzna, Nakul, Nandha, Nazrin, Neha, Nihla, Niranjana, Sanjay, Sara, Sourav, Sven, Swaran, Thanvi, Zahra, Aakhila, Waris, Abhijeeth, Abhinand, Abhinash, Afeefa, Agrima, Aneeta, Anjali, Antony, Anushir, Asiya, Atheena, Ayisha Noureen, Diya, Rinsha, Fiza, Joel, Kuriakose, Sidan, Nandana, Nimitha, Rafiya, Ragul, Risana, Risna, Riza, Shamil, Shehin, Suahina, Tiya, Yadukrishnan
