Theyyam is a
colorful ritual artistic form of dance usually performed by the communities of Hindu
religion in north Kerala. This dance or ritual is usually performed in houses
in villages or shrines as ancestral worship. It is performed between the 10th
day of Thulam(Mid of December to First week of May). This art form is a rare
combination of dance, music and reflects important features of a tribal
culture. Each individual caste has the right to perform certain deities and all
performers must pose a wide range of extraordinary skills. This art form was mainly used to propagate
the major theme of social enforcement.
Folk dance form is a beautifully attired
vigorous form. The performer wears
tender coconut leaves and special
costume with make-up. The deity appears
in to the shrine courtyard with the ritual dance with the spirit of the god. Theyyam is believed to be god itself. The performer
is considered as a medium between the super natural powers and the mortals. Villagers and the people of those areas seek
blessings from this god. In the course
of Theyyam, which can last as long as 24 hours, the dancer gradually becomes
the embodiment of a particular god: he is not acting a god, but actually
converts to a god and is paid a full respect by the devotees as a real living
god.
This dance is performed with colorful
and attractive costumes and makes ups usually done by specialists or the
artists itself using locally available materials. The facial makeup’s itself
would speak volumes about the particular theyyam. Theyyams are in different
type like Ancestor theyyam, Incarnation
theyyam, Ramayana theyyam, Thacholi
theyyam, Lady theyyam and Folk theyyam etc. Theechamundi is one of the most interesting
and astonishing of the theyyams as the performer walks over fire beds with his
bare feet. These are usually performed
at mid night and ends before sunrise.
During the
course of performance the story is sung in the form of narrative songs by the
performer accompanied by traditional cymbals and percussions. Theyyam is considered very important and
communal event in various part of north Kerala.
There are certain special Theyyams
which are performed only in certain places of Kannur and nowhere else can be
seen or not performed in other places. In north Kerala, famous for theyyam is Parasinikadavu temple.
North Kerala (Malabar) is proud of being one of the leading place which gives
fore-most importance to folk arts and for preserving traditional and ancient
cultures. Kannur is a must see Tourist destination of Kerala
to enjoy the most spectacular and ancient
rural art form of Theyyam.
Ezhara Beach House Kerala, is an ideal
accommodation in Kannur that very near of a beautiful Chera Rocks. Our
beach house Kerala cottages built in traditional Kerala style which maintain an eco-friendly atmosphere for serenity and contentment. We arrange to visit theyyam performance at village temples at Kannur. Visit
http://www.beachhousekerala.com/ and
http://www.cherarocks.com/ for getting reservation on beach houses at
Kannur Kerala to see theyyam in temples.
