Monday 11 June 2012
Friday 25 February 2011
Kerala Arts
Theyyam
Theyyam or Theyyaattam is a pattern of hero worship performed in Kolathunaad, a territory comprising the present Cannanore District and Badagara Taluk of Kerala State, India. It is a ritual and a folk-dance form supported by a vast literature of folk songs. Theyyam is a corruption for Deyvam ‘God’. 'Aattam' means dance. Thus 'Theyyaattam' means the God’s Dance.
There, the performance is conducted on a masonry stage called Thara and the word Tharayaattam was probably changed into Thirayaattam in course of time. The term Thirayaattam itself may mean beautiful dance.
The person who plays and personifies the deity is generally called ‘Kolam’. The word Kolam means figure or shape or make-up in Tamil and Malayalam. In Tulunad, north of Kolathunaad, the custom of Kolam dance is widely prevalent as a form of worship of the Bhootas or spirits. There, the dance was conducted before the sthaanams, where the Bhoothas or the spirits used to reside.
As the result of Aryan colonization of Thuluva and Kolathunaad, the Brahmanical religion became deep rooted in this territory. The Brahminic concepts of Gods and deities were accepted by the indigenous people of Kolathunaad. But even then the old folk-cult of Velan Veriyat and spirit worship remained as a system of worship for the native. The rituals remained unchanged and the tradition was not abandoned by the people. Vishnumoorthi, Pottan, Chaamundi, Rakteshwari and Bhagavathi became new deities for the village folk of Kolathunaad along with their primitive deities of spirits and heroes.
Theyyam or Theyyaattam is a pattern of hero worship performed in Kolathunaad, a territory comprising the present Cannanore District and Badagara Taluk of Kerala State, India. It is a ritual and a folk-dance form supported by a vast literature of folk songs. Theyyam is a corruption for Deyvam ‘God’. 'Aattam' means dance. Thus 'Theyyaattam' means the God’s Dance.
As the result of Aryan colonization of Thuluva and Kolathunaad, the Brahmanical religion became deep rooted in this territory. The Brahminic concepts of Gods and deities were accepted by the indigenous people of Kolathunaad. But even then the old folk-cult of Velan Veriyat and spirit worship remained as a system of worship for the native. The rituals remained unchanged and the tradition was not abandoned by the people. Vishnumoorthi, Pottan, Chaamundi, Rakteshwari and Bhagavathi became new deities for the village folk of Kolathunaad along with their primitive deities of spirits and heroes.
The cult of Bhagavathi became so dominant in the social life of Kolathunaad that no village of this area could be found without a shrine or kaavu of a Bhagavathi. The Bhagavathi at Maappiticheri was known as Maappiticheri Bhagavathi and the Bhagavathi at Kannangot was known as Kannangot Bhagavathi. Many of these Bhagavathis have their own Theyyaattam or Thirayaattam at their shrines as annual festivals. Some of these Bhagavathis have big temples and daily offerings strictly conforming to the Brahmanical ritualism.
Gods Own Land - Kerala - India
Pythal Mala
(65 km from Kannur town, Kerala,India. The closest major airport is Calicut International Airport (CCJ / VOCL). This airport has international and domestic flights from Calicut, India and is about 104 km from the center of Kannur, India).
This enchanting hill station, situated 4,500 ft. above sea level near the Kerala - Karnataka border, is rich in flora and fauna. It is a 6 km trek to the top of the hills.
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