The Theyyam
Theyyam or Theyattam is a popular ritual dance of Malabar viz North Kerala. Kannur can rightly be termed as the birth place or womb of Theyyam. Theyyam is a corrupt form of deivam or God. It’s a unique combination of dance, music and also reflects the main features of a tribal culture. It’s a religion based ritual dance. The legendary Keralolpathi highlights the role of Lord Parasurama in sanctioning the following festivals like Thiyyattam or Deivattamn, Paravela and Kaliyattam to the people of Kerala as a whole. The Theyyam performance has an aura of divine splendour as its accompanied by rituals & other devotional hymns. Its indeed an unprecedented experience to watch this dance symbolising the ultimate power. The impact is tremendous when the performer feels that for those moments he is the supreme identifying himself ala the aphorism in Jnana Yoga; Aham Brahmasmi viz I am Brahman. Its a moment of total synthesis. This will reinforce the faith in the Supreme, as Jesus said in the Bible “Faith can move mountains!” This folk art has a myth; the age-old belief that Goodness destroys evil. Every Theyyam symbolises a holy purpose as declared by Lord Krishna in the Bhagawad Gita.
“Whenever righteousness is on the decline & unrighteousness is in the ascendant, then I body myself forth”. Its the strong belief that each Theyyam represents a spark of manifestation of the supreme Brahman.
Saktism, Vaishnavism and Saivism have a powerful role in the cult of Theyyam. In several cult centres offering of blood is totally forbidden. This is a clear indication of the influence of Buddhism, Jainism and the Brahmin community. In such centres blood offering is done in separate places outside the innerwall of the shrine. Such propitiated Theyyam deities will not enter the innerwalls of the shrine. The presence of Mappila characters like Alichamundi in this cult indicates the influence of the followers of Islam. Thus its not only a synthesis of different religious practices but also a fusion of different customs, traditions and beliefs.
Vedantic Relevance
Amongst the theyyams there is one theyyam which could be considered the most powerful in vedantic relevance and social equality. Its called Pottan Deivam or Pottan Theyyam. The highest philosophy of vedanta is again presented in an extremely wonderful manner. Adi Sankaracharya, one of the greatest exponent of Advaita, enters into a verbal duel with a Chandala – a low caste. The Chandala lashes out at Adi Sankaracharya and asks, “if there is a cut in your body blood oozes out from that wound; has that any difference from the blood of mine?” This Chandala was none other than Lord Shiva who forms an inspiration to compose ‘Maneesha Panchakam’ – A celebrated Vedantic poem which begins by saying. “ He who has realised that he is the super consciousness; that creates all beings from an ant to Brahma while remaining a witness to all: the phenomenon of the universe such a one whether he is a chandala or a brahmin is my guru. “This is similar to the inspiration of the first verse of Bhaja Govindam where Adi Sankaracharya chides a gramarrian by saying”, When the appointed time comes these Grammar rules won’t save you, Sing Govinda Sing Govinda. “The aspect of Philosophical depth and vibrant vedantic ideology needs special mention in this context.
Metaphysical Powers
Amongst devotees Theyyams are supposed to have curative powers and a divine personality representing the deity. For instance in the case of Mr. Nambudiri who was desperate and frustrated as they didn’t have child. They prayed and begged the Kuttichatan. Theyyam during the usual function at their Kavu. The couple was blessed with a male child. This is just one of the many miraculous experiences devotees have had over the years.
Certain dangerous feats performed by the Theyyams are again attributed to the divine power vibrating in them during the performance hence they need special mention:
Dancing with a crown of hair(mudi) as tall as a coconut tree viz around 10 to 12 metres (Thaiparadevatha)
Fire embers are set upto a height of 2 metres and the performer wearing tender coconut fronds tall on it in a cool, nonchalant manner – Thee Chamundi.
Burning wicks of wire will be tied around the waist and the performer will dance inspite of the burning heat and exposure to flames – Puthiya Bhagavathi. Fire walking with this heavy dress is again a dangerous act. An unskilled artiste could even have an accidental death. This immunity to fire will simply awe everyone. Devibhagavatham and Mother Goddesses The Mother Goddesses in Theyyam are called by different names, Chamundi, Muvabankuzhichamundi, Bhagavathi,. Those duties are also mentioned in the Devibhagavatham. Kali, the divine mother symbolising punishment and protection is also form in Theyyam. The Goddess Saraswathi symbolising knowledge and wisdom is known as Machilot Bhagavathi in theyyam
Fasting & Mantras
To build the self confidence and courage; the performers have to strictly adhere to certain principles. The rigorous fasting ranges from 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, 21 days to 40 days. The performers are supposed to drink a concotion of Millet only. They have to stay in a separate place and should have vegetarian diet only. They are forbidden from consuming liquor during this period. During fasting, face drawing and wearing the ceremonial dresses they have to recite mantras. Fire related theyyams have to recite Agni mantras. The Theyyam performance is a harbinger of social justice and social equality. The Theyyams are exclusively performed by the male members of the traditional caste groups like Malayan, Vannan, Navilan, Pulayan, Koppalan and Velan. They actually belong to the scheduled castes and tribes. Its an act of the backward castes who come from a very poor economic background. They were the untouchables for the superior castes. But then at the time of performance all their social degradation is completely eliminated.
Theyyam or Theyattam is a popular ritual dance of Malabar viz North Kerala. Kannur can rightly be termed as the birth place or womb of Theyyam. Theyyam is a corrupt form of deivam or God. It’s a unique combination of dance, music and also reflects the main features of a tribal culture. It’s a religion based ritual dance. The legendary Keralolpathi highlights the role of Lord Parasurama in sanctioning the following festivals like Thiyyattam or Deivattamn, Paravela and Kaliyattam to the people of Kerala as a whole. The Theyyam performance has an aura of divine splendour as its accompanied by rituals & other devotional hymns. Its indeed an unprecedented experience to watch this dance symbolising the ultimate power. The impact is tremendous when the performer feels that for those moments he is the supreme identifying himself ala the aphorism in Jnana Yoga; Aham Brahmasmi viz I am Brahman. Its a moment of total synthesis. This will reinforce the faith in the Supreme, as Jesus said in the Bible “Faith can move mountains!” This folk art has a myth; the age-old belief that Goodness destroys evil. Every Theyyam symbolises a holy purpose as declared by Lord Krishna in the Bhagawad Gita.
“Whenever righteousness is on the decline & unrighteousness is in the ascendant, then I body myself forth”. Its the strong belief that each Theyyam represents a spark of manifestation of the supreme Brahman.
Saktism, Vaishnavism and Saivism have a powerful role in the cult of Theyyam. In several cult centres offering of blood is totally forbidden. This is a clear indication of the influence of Buddhism, Jainism and the Brahmin community. In such centres blood offering is done in separate places outside the innerwall of the shrine. Such propitiated Theyyam deities will not enter the innerwalls of the shrine. The presence of Mappila characters like Alichamundi in this cult indicates the influence of the followers of Islam. Thus its not only a synthesis of different religious practices but also a fusion of different customs, traditions and beliefs.
Vedantic Relevance
Amongst the theyyams there is one theyyam which could be considered the most powerful in vedantic relevance and social equality. Its called Pottan Deivam or Pottan Theyyam. The highest philosophy of vedanta is again presented in an extremely wonderful manner. Adi Sankaracharya, one of the greatest exponent of Advaita, enters into a verbal duel with a Chandala – a low caste. The Chandala lashes out at Adi Sankaracharya and asks, “if there is a cut in your body blood oozes out from that wound; has that any difference from the blood of mine?” This Chandala was none other than Lord Shiva who forms an inspiration to compose ‘Maneesha Panchakam’ – A celebrated Vedantic poem which begins by saying. “ He who has realised that he is the super consciousness; that creates all beings from an ant to Brahma while remaining a witness to all: the phenomenon of the universe such a one whether he is a chandala or a brahmin is my guru. “This is similar to the inspiration of the first verse of Bhaja Govindam where Adi Sankaracharya chides a gramarrian by saying”, When the appointed time comes these Grammar rules won’t save you, Sing Govinda Sing Govinda. “The aspect of Philosophical depth and vibrant vedantic ideology needs special mention in this context.
Metaphysical Powers
Amongst devotees Theyyams are supposed to have curative powers and a divine personality representing the deity. For instance in the case of Mr. Nambudiri who was desperate and frustrated as they didn’t have child. They prayed and begged the Kuttichatan. Theyyam during the usual function at their Kavu. The couple was blessed with a male child. This is just one of the many miraculous experiences devotees have had over the years.
Certain dangerous feats performed by the Theyyams are again attributed to the divine power vibrating in them during the performance hence they need special mention:
Dancing with a crown of hair(mudi) as tall as a coconut tree viz around 10 to 12 metres (Thaiparadevatha)
Fire embers are set upto a height of 2 metres and the performer wearing tender coconut fronds tall on it in a cool, nonchalant manner – Thee Chamundi.
Burning wicks of wire will be tied around the waist and the performer will dance inspite of the burning heat and exposure to flames – Puthiya Bhagavathi. Fire walking with this heavy dress is again a dangerous act. An unskilled artiste could even have an accidental death. This immunity to fire will simply awe everyone. Devibhagavatham and Mother Goddesses The Mother Goddesses in Theyyam are called by different names, Chamundi, Muvabankuzhichamundi, Bhagavathi,. Those duties are also mentioned in the Devibhagavatham. Kali, the divine mother symbolising punishment and protection is also form in Theyyam. The Goddess Saraswathi symbolising knowledge and wisdom is known as Machilot Bhagavathi in theyyam
Fasting & Mantras
To build the self confidence and courage; the performers have to strictly adhere to certain principles. The rigorous fasting ranges from 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, 21 days to 40 days. The performers are supposed to drink a concotion of Millet only. They have to stay in a separate place and should have vegetarian diet only. They are forbidden from consuming liquor during this period. During fasting, face drawing and wearing the ceremonial dresses they have to recite mantras. Fire related theyyams have to recite Agni mantras. The Theyyam performance is a harbinger of social justice and social equality. The Theyyams are exclusively performed by the male members of the traditional caste groups like Malayan, Vannan, Navilan, Pulayan, Koppalan and Velan. They actually belong to the scheduled castes and tribes. Its an act of the backward castes who come from a very poor economic background. They were the untouchables for the superior castes. But then at the time of performance all their social degradation is completely eliminated.
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