Theyyam is one of the most outstanding ancient ritual dance forms
of Kerala performed in temples by appointed people in fulfillment of vows of
devotees. The Theyyam (or otherwise known as Kolam) represents a mythological,
divine or heroic character. It has its origin in the northern parts of the state
and is practiced for centuries by the tribal people and the villagers of Northern
Kerala. Theyyam is always performed by men. Female roles are also enacted by
men by wearing suitable makeup and colourful costumes. Costumes are made usually
of palm leaves, cloth and brass jewellery, ferocious masks and big head gear,
often extending up to forty (40) feet in height. Teyyama are believed to be
the representation of God or Goddess.
There are over 350 Theyyams in northern Kerala. The pace of the
dance is set to the beating of Chenda (drum). The artiste invested by the God/Goddess
in his person falls in a trance, dances deliriously to the mounting tempo as
an oracle.
This primitive ritualistic art demands long hours of preparation
before the performance. The bizarre head dresses, costumes and body painting
and trance like performances are very extraordinary. Each one has a distinguishing
headgear and costume made out of natural materials like leaves and bark. Musical
accompaniments are chenda and veekuchenda (drums), elathalam and kuzhal (horn)
etc..
During the festival season between January and April, Theyyam performances
can be seen in the villages in the Malabar region, especially in the Kannur
District. There are regular Theyyam performances at Sri Muthappan Temple in
Parassinikadavu, which is some 20 km north-east of Kannur town.
Kathakali is the most refined, most scientific and elaborately
defined dance drama form of Kerala. It is a very exciting art form demanding
not only complete control of practically every fiber of the artiste's body,
but also intense sensitivity of emotion. It had its origin in the courts of
the Kings of Kerala. It is considered to be a synthetic art form combining in
itself the rudiments of its earlier forms like 'Krshnanattam' and 'Ramanattam'.
Many other art forms were also evolved form the traditional rituals
of Hindu temples. Ramanattam, Krishnanattam, Chakiyar Koothu, Ottanthullal,
Nanggiar Koorhu, Seethanganthullal etc. are some of them. Most of these art
forms are not preformed on a regular basis and the new generations are not showing
interest to practice it. So with the death of presently practicing artists,
many of the Hindu traditional ritual art forms will be send to peril.
Please have a look at some photos of dance performance.
Pooram
-means Temple Celebration, is one of the unique festivals in all over
Kerala. Once in a year, Temples of each village/town celebrates an auspicious
day which is colloquially known as Pooram, Vela, Utsavam etc. These celebrations
will continue for a day to more than a week with months long preparations.
During Pooram occasions, Theyyam,
Thira, Velichappadu (Komaram), etc. (temple art forms) will be
preformed with the accompaniment of different types of vocal and instrumental
music sessions.
Other eye-catching astonishment
is the show of bejeweled elephants' march and the colorful Fireworks.
The number of participant elephant may vary form one to one hundred and
Firework crackers may be lined-up for kilometers long. Normally the villagers
divide into group and sponsor these events to make competitive cover to
celebration.
Poorma of all Poorams is the
'Thrissur Pooram'. At Thrissur, in the Paramekkavu
Temple Poorm is celebrating with all of its vitality. Hundreds of Bejeweled
tuskers will line up for the exotic Elephant show with mahouts sitting
atop them carrying Muthukuda (silk parasols)
and swaying the Venchamaram (white tufts).
The pageant is accompanied by the Panchavadyam
(music of five types of instruments) which gradually works up to a crescendo.
The most fascinating aspect of the Pooram is the Kudamattom
ritual, the ceremonial synchronised changing of the colourful parasols
held aloft the elephants.
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