THEYYAM-
A RITUAL DANCE OF KERALA
Dr. KKN Kurup
Classification of Sub Cults
Under the impact of Aryan religions, the cult of Theyyam had changed substantially incorporating new trends and sub cults along with its tribal character.
In a different way, it can be stated that all prominent characteristics of a primitive tribal religious worship had widened the stream of Theyyam cult and made it a deep rooted folk religion of the millions. For instance, the cult of Mother Goddesses had an important place in Theyyam. Besides this, the practice like spirit-worship, hero-worship, masathi-worship, tree-worship, ancestor-worship, animal worship, serpent-worship, worship of the goddesses of disease and gramaadevata-worship are included in the main stream of Theyyam cult. Under the influence of Aryan myths and legends, a large number of Brahminical gods and goddesses had infiltrated as separate cults into Theyyam. Along with these gods and goddesses there exist innumerable folk gods and goddesses. Most of these goddesses are known as Bhagavathis as a matter of sanskritisation.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Different
branches of Brahminical religion such as Saktism, Vaishnavism
and Saivism now dominate the cult of Theyyam. However the forms of
propitiation and other rituals are continuation of a historical past.
In several cult-centers, blood offering is forbidden under the
influence of Buddhism, Jainism and Brahmanism. In such centres separate
places outside the outer wall of the shrine are selected for blood offering
and preparation of the traditional kalam known as vatakkanvathil.
The Theyyam deities propitiated through cock-sacrifice will not enter inside
such shrines walls. This is a good example of a long-standing cultural
synthesis of ‘little’ and ‘great’ cultures.
On
account of the later origin of Vaishnavism in Kerala, it has no
wide-spread influence on Theyyam cult.
Only a few deities are available under this category.
This may probably be due to the lesser influence of Vishnu on the
village folk who had an uninterrupted tradition of the worship of Mother
goddess for fertility and the god Siva and his son Murukan for
protection and security even during the Sangam age. Two major Theyyam
deities of Vaishnavism are Vishnumoorthi and Daivathar.
Vaishnavism was very popular in Tuluva country during the 13th
century under Vishnuvardhana of Hoysalas. He was a great
champion of Vaishnavism.
Most probably he was deified as Vishnumoorthi and propitiated
in the Bhoota cult of Tuluva and then propitiated as a
prominent folk deity in the Theyyam also. The legend of Vishnumoorthi
is identified the God’s migration from Mangalore to Kolathunadu.
All
other categories of Theyyam deities can be incorporated in Saivism
and Saktism.
Even ancestors, heroes, animals etc are deified and included in those
categories. In brief Theyyam provides a good example for the religious
evolution and its different stages in Hinduism.
Read more on next pages ....
Next>>Historical Background
Classification of Sub
Cults
Patronage
By Brahmins
A
Note On Performance
Meaning and Social Content
Dancers and Their Training
Training of the Artist
Caste and Agrarian Relations
Local History
Future of Theyyam
© 2002 Copyright
Payyanur.com
All rights reserved.