THEYYAM

THEYYAM- A RITUAL DANCE OF KERALA

Dr. KKN Kurup

Stylization

Generally there is a tendency among the scholars to identify Theyyam as folk theatre and dance. Although it incorporated some folk aspects, it is a developed art form and a systematic stylization had taken place in the curse of its development.

Within an area of 300 square miles, most of the Theyyam dances maintain a unique style pertaining to the performance of each deity. There may be regional variations in respect of rituals and songs, but the visual appearance had no much variations. For instance the Theyyam of Kathivannur Veeran is one and the same in Kannur as well as in Kasargode at a distance of 50 miles. It shows that an intensive stylization had taken place in this art form as found in classical dances. It is believed by the dancers that under the instruction of Kolathiri, the local ruler, one Manakkadan Gurukkal of Karivellur, a great Theyyam artist in 16th or 17th century had effected this stylization for Theyyam dance.

Following this tradition the Kolathiri or the chieftains used to distribute the titles of Manakkadan, Perumalayan, Peruvannan, etc to the distinguished Theyyam artists. However the Theyyam dance could not achieve the status of a classical theatre as its growth was arrested due to various factors of social, political and economic system of the region. Further as the artists belonged to the depressed communities the status the art form was belittled by a caste ridden society. The classical arts like Kathakali had borrowed several aspects from Theyyam and other traditional arts of Kerala. There is a close resemblance between Theyyam art and Kathakali in make-up, costume, dance and musical instrument. But the major difference is that the Kathakali is never set out to cater to the unlearned or to the persons who did not share the common tradition with the actor as suggested by an authority. But the folk theatre like the Theyyam is mainly intended to propagate religion, Hindu mythology and belief even among the uneducated masses. There the art form is only a medium of communication and the cult-centre where the art form is preformed is a sacred centre of social organization. The continued patronage of the masses makes it a popular art. As the Kathakali artist came from the Brahmins and the upper casts and the performance was conducted mostly in temple centres, this particular art became the art of the elite. But the rural background and the position of the artists made the Theyyam an entirely different art of the poor, depressed and down trodden.

THEYYAM- A RITUAL DANCE OF KERALA

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