THEYYAM
- ART & CULTURE
News: The Enchanting Theyyam Dance:
Reviving Ancient Tales In North Kerala
What's
in the news?
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In the cultural heartland of North Kerala,
the age-old stories of the region find a vivid expression through the
mesmerizing art form of Theyyam.
Key
takeaways:
●
Theyyam pays homage to heroes and ancestral spirits, creating a ceremonial
spectacle that resonates with tradition.
Theyyam:
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It is a popular ritual form of dance worship in Kerala and Karnataka.
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It consisted of thousand-year-old
traditions, rituals and customs.
Objective:
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It is performed to appease spirits of
ancestors and folk heroes.
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Dancers represent local gods and goddess
who are believed to be protectors of the village.
Features:
●
The people
consider Theyyam itself as a channel to a god and they thus seek blessings from
Theyyam.
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Each
Theyyam is a man or a woman who attained divine status by performing heroic
deeds or by leading a virtuous life.
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It encompasses dance, mime and music. The ceremonious dance is accompanied by the
chorus of such musical instruments as Chenda, Elathalam, Kurumkuzal and
Veekkuchenda.
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Mudi is a key feature. It is a sacred
crown made of coconut and areca nut splices dyed in different colours. Its
height may vary from 1 foot to the height of a coconut tree.
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Each artist represents a hero with great
power. Performers wear heavy make-up and adorn flamboyant costumes.
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Most Theyyams are believed to be the incarnations of Shiva or Shakti (the
consort of Shiva). Or they have strong associations with these principal
deities of Hinduism.
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Theyyams are performed in sacred groves
and other places usually once in a year and are known as Kaliyattam.