Theyyam.. A Popular Form of Hindu Ritual Art in Kerala...

Theyyam is coloqial word for 'Devam' which means God.....

Theyyattam (or Dance by Theyyams) are performed by personifications of a variety of characters each with its own differrent costumes, hoods and decorations...The one above is relatively simple form , whIch I witnessed recently at a temple in South Kerala. More traditional and original forms are part of the annual rituals in temples in Northern Kerala, being the home of Theyyattam ( ie.. Atttam- dance by Theyyams)
For More pictures and descriptions of such difffernt Theyyams:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theyyam

The theyyam stands as a symbol of good will, prosperity and also to ward of evil spirit, poverty and illness. Theyyam represents a mythological, divine, ancestral, animal, serpent or heroic character, each with its distinct shape, form and story of origin. The hood, head, dress, face painting, breast plate, bracelets, garlands and fabric of attire in each theyyam is distinct and meticulously crafted according to the character presented.

Theyyam is an artistic dance form where metaphysical thoughts and expressions of immortal souls are impersonated to a believer through a mortal body. Theyyam originated from ';Kaliyattam 'once practiced by the tribal community of north Kerala. Theyyam had grown to the present form through many transformations since it’s origin. Landlords and chieftains of those days are the main forces behind many of such transformations. The community and its body began to use this art to propagate the major theme of social enforcement. The artists are also encouraged by the authorities to introduce new themes into its traditional layers and classified different acts and expressions to match specific needs for their desire. The character representations were very broad. They range from mild to wild in representations. Theyyam is a sect in which old heroes are sanctified and worshipped as the guardians of villages and homes. Yet, it includes a complex universe centered on the belief that a man can—after suitable mental, physical and spiritual preliminaries—don the costume of a particular deity and then become that deity. In this elevated state he assumes superhuman and divine powers—speaking, moving, blessing and even healing as a god or goddess. What is crucial is that the person is not possessed by the spirit of the deity.

The essence of Theyyam is like the enhancement of the efficacy of a "manthra" by its incremental repetition. It brings us a super temporal and superabundance feeling in spite of its inherent relationship with real life at its inception. In the case of Theyyam, when the spirit is propitiated, the living generations enlightened in them the purest and the loftiest intentions that the past represents. The articulate creation of masks and gears from natural sources are intended to make unknowns to known and unattainable to real. The dancer recreates its mythical and ritualistic imagination and systematically delivers the right moods through his body posters. The performer of Theyyam gets himself completely into the artistic rhythm. Even when the dancer breaks coconut against his forehead, cuts his forehead with the sword, or wears red-hot iron chain on his body as a mark of self-torture, he never goes out of rhythm. The person who performs Theyyam while delivering such metaphysical experiences and involves himself completely into the act traverses through three different stages. The first stage is one kind of impersonation by decorating himself with creative paintings and coverings made up of natural materials. The second stage helps him to involve a mental state of flight to mystic heights. The last stage is the accomplishments of the dancer submerged fully into the artistic rhythm of acting the story. Though the spectators feel that the actor is unconscious to the surroundings, the man who controls the technique of dance and rhythm in him is fully alive to the situation. In theatre acting, if the actor looses his control, the act is rated as substandard. Myths in their visual manifestations react to their physical environment and absorb the colors and forms from nature and transport them into a philosophy and emotion of exhaustion and sublimation. It's important to understand that Theyyam has a larger purpose that goes beyond the territories of performance - to all those in attendance, it assures assistance and security during times of crisis, promising to resolve all their conflicts. Which is why the current trend of adapting it to suit a new context is viewed with distaste.

A performance is a combination of playing of musical instruments, vocal recitations, dance, and peculiar makeup and costumes. The stage-practices of Theyyam and its ritualistic observations make it one of the most fascinating theatrical arts of India.

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Taken on: April 7, 2010

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