Theyyam








Theyyam (Malayalam: തെയ്യം‍) or Theyyattam or Thira is a popular Hindu ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala state, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu area (consisting of present-day Kasargod, Kannur Districts, Mananthavady Taluk of Wayanad and Vadakara & Koyilandy Taluks of Kozhikode of Kerala state. As a living cult with several thousand-year-old traditions, rituals and customs, it embraces almost all the castes and classes of the Hindu religion in this region. The performers of Theyyam belong to the lower class community, and have an important position in Theyyam. This is unique, since only in Kerala, do both the upper-caste Brahmins and lower-caste tribals share an important position in a major form of worship. The term Theyyam is a corrupt form of Devam or God. People of these districts consider Theyyam itself as a God and they seek blessings from this Theyyam. A similar custom is followed in the Tulu Nadu region of neighbouring Karnataka known as Bhuta Kola































Monday, February 20, 2012

Vishnumoorthi

Vishnumoorthi The performance of Vishnumoorthi Theyyam includes complicated rites and rituals. It is the most popular part of the Vaishnava Theyyam. The reverberations of the drumbeats can be heard from very far distances.

This fascinating piece narrates the story of Palanthai Kannan, a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. The Vishnumoorthi Theyyam in ottakkolam (only one kolam) enters the pyre. The act is called Agnipravesham. The devotees stand around him with prayers. Four people take kayar [rope] from Vishnumoorthi and become Kayattukar. Their duty is to protect agricultural land from cattle. With the kayar [rope] and vadi [rod] they roam the area from Karyamkode to Thalachai and catch cattle with the rope or drive them away using the rod.
Posted by Aneesh at 7:31 AM
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