The Living Gods

Muthappan is worshiped as a single deity, but he actually represents an integrated or unified form of two Gods, namely Vishnu (with a snake on the crown) and Shiva (with a crescent-shape on the crown). Theyyam of northern Kerala mirrors the entire traits of the folk in their conception of the divine. Though communities give their own aesthetic embodiment in terms of attire, pattern etc, the form remains one and the same internally in its expression of the geo-ethnic sensibilities of a community. A magnificent blend of vocal instrumental music, dance, painting and of course, colors that spell visual harmony with every perceptive of folk life.

Vishnuroopam

Shivaroopam

 A striking peculiarity of the Theyyam system is that there are no temples dedicated for year-round worship. In wooded groves scattered in the village, within nondescript wooden or thatched sheds, a solitary stone or a sword, or a wooden stool remains as a symbolic presence of the divine, which does not insist on the elaborate rituals of a temple or the regular offerings from the devout. The exceptions are the deities at Parassinikadavu, who descend daily to bless the devotees and receive offerings.

As the monsoon ends and the landscape glistens in restful shades of emerald and sapphire, there bursts forth in the North Malabar region in Southern India, fiery forms of supernatural Beings. Sporting extraordinarily ornate headdresses that sometimes rise several feet in the air and carrying flaming torches, these Beings appear, move, leap, speak, and dance in front of shrines, altars and village homes. 

Elaborate face paint

 These are the Theyyam gods and goddesses – incarnating in fantastic forms that seem to transcend human imagination.For the more active warrior gods, a vellattam, or energetic ritual dance incorporating martial arts, is required. After this the performer will retire to a temporary structure to be made up and costumed as the actual deities Theyyam, is the actual manifestation of the divine spirit. Here the dancer reappears in proper make up and costumes. 

Head dress

The spirit of that Theyyam migrates into the artist who has assumed that spirit and it is a belief that the god or goddess comes in the midst of the gathering through the medium of the possessed dancer. The dancer throws rice on the audience and distributes turmeric powder as symbols of blessings. It is believed that the Theyyam has curative powers. Theyyam artistes are male. It is not a profession or calling that can be adopted. The artist's shrine rights are always inherited from the mother's family and when he marries, he also acquires the shrine rights of his wife's family. The artistes share a common training and tradition in which the process of becoming the deity is achieved after intense mental, physical and spiritual preparation. The kolam performs various types dancing and it is believed that the spirit of the god, goddess, hero or heroine migrates into the person. The dance may take slow or fast pace depending upon his character. Sometimes even weapons are used. it encompasses 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.

Face painting

 In this elevated state, he assumes superhuman and divine powers”. This pantheon of the Divine is extensive, includes not only gods and goddesses, but warrior heroes, ancestors, animals, ghosts and spirits as well. These deified forms are welcomed with great respect and reverence by the villagers for they are believed to be unpredictable in nature and endowed with the supreme power to either bless or curse, to protect or destroy, to nurture or nullify.

The costumes of Theyyam are made out of cutting and painting coconut sheaths in black, white and red patterns, fresh coconut fronds form skirts, fashioning breasts out of dry coconut shells and tying a red cloth around the waist. The facial decorations are intricately designed with enriched symbolism. Muthappan speaks symbolically and the interpretation is left to you. They hold your hand and ask you to believe in them and intimidate you with the essence of a higher power. The entire atmosphere brings in awe and mysticism.

Coconut frond skirt

  Toddy plays a very significant role in the proceedings, it is an offering to the gods and almost all the performers dance under the influence. This helps in creating the feeling of "possessed". The performers belong to the "Malayan" caste of tribals, who are given prime importance in Thirra and Theyyam. Therefore in Kerala, both upper caste Brahmins, and lower caste tribals have an important place in worship. 

Theyyam Festival served as sort of a social equalizer, bringing together people of all classes and tribes through religious participation. Today, even though the social degradation associated with belonging to the low caste has been eliminated, the art form itself has remained under the sole custodianship of these traditional families and it is through descendants of those communities that this ritual performance is practiced and kept alive.

A look at the Divine

 Toddy plays a very significant role in the proceedings, it is an offering to the gods and almost all the performers dance under the influence. This helps in creating the feeling of "possessed". The performers belong to the "Malayan" caste of tribals, who are given prime importance in Thirra and Theyyam. Therefore in Kerala, both upper caste Brahmins, and lower caste tribals have an important place in worship. Theyyam Festival served as sort of a social equalizer, bringing together people of all classes and tribes through religious participation. Today, even though the social degradation associated with belonging to the low caste has been eliminated, the art form itself has remained under the sole custodianship of these traditional families and it is through descendants of those communities that this ritual performance is practiced and kept alive.

Ritualistic dance

After having been painted and suitably attired to represent the God, the Artist is Shown a mirror to invoke the divine spirit into himself, a sight to behold he then looks into the Mirror and sees the divine form, he admires the divine and invokes his power, the transformation from devotee to Divine is often accompanied by grunts and screams and can be scary at times. Some of the forms of Theyyam are loud and scary, the drums and the dusk invoke a feeling of mysticism which is unparalleled. The predictions and blessings of the living Gods are considered a boon and many in the Malabar area have regular vellatam on auspicious occasions. Muthappan is the God of the Common people and is omnipresent.