THEYYAM - THE KERALA DANCE FORM
Kerala is home to a number of dance
and artforms. Several dance forms which originated in Kerala are today popular
worldwide especially the Kathakali dance form and The Thiyyam Dance Form. Given below is a list of some of
the most popular dance forms in Kerala.
Theyyam
Kerala Dance Form
Kathakali
Dance of Kerala
Thullal
Koodiyattam
Dance Form
Duffmuttu
or Aravanmuttu
Oppana
Dance
Kaikottikali
or Thiruvathirakali
Margamkali
of Kerala
Thitambu
Nritham
This blog is entirely dedicated to explain about The Theyyam Dance form of Kerala, the God's Own Country.
Theyyam other wise known as Kaliyattam
or Thirayattam,
is one of the most outstanding folk arts of Kerala. Just as the name Kaliyattam
indicates, it is a sacred ritual dance performed to glorify the goddess Kaali. The term
'Theyyam' is supposed to be the corrupt form of the Malayalam word 'Daivam', meaning God.
According to legends, Parasuram, the creator of Kerala, sanctioned the festival
Kaliyattam to the people of Kerala. It earned the name Thirayattam as every thira or village
performed this ritualistic art at the village temple known as kaavu.
Theyyam is a popular ritual dance form of North Kerala, particularly in
Kannur and Kasargod districts. The Theyyam represents a mythological, divine or
heroic character. Theyyam is always performed by men. They also enact female
roles wearing exotic make up and colorful costumes. There are over 350 Theyyams
performed in northern Kerala, of which Raktha Chamundi, Kari Chamundi,
Muchilottu Bhagavathi, Wayanadu Kulaveni, Gulikan and Pottan are the most
spectacular. Unlike other dance forms of Kerala which are onstage performances,
Theyyam is performed in front of village temples, without stage or curtains.
Theyyam Costume and Make-up
Costume of the Theyyam is what lends flamboyance to this spectacular dance
form. Different costumes like leaf dress, headdress, breast plates, arm ornaments,
bangles, garland and other body decorations are to be prepared by the artists
for performance. Some of the costumes are made up of tender coconut leaves and
they are used only for single performance. Preparation of these items requires
proper skill and craftsmanship.
Make up of Theyyams is done by specialist. There are different types of
face painting for which primarily and secondary colours are used. Therefore it
is essential that the makeup man should have perfect knowledge of primary and
secondary colour combinations. Sometimes, it takes hours to paint the faces as
per the strict rules of tradition.
Theyyam Performance
First part of the performance is usually known
as 'Thottam' (the invocation). It is performed at night without proper make up or
decorative costume. Only a small red head dress is worn on this occasion. The
second stage is the performance of various ceremonies before the actual
manifestation. The last is the most serious and important part of the Theyyam.
It is the actual manifestation of the divine spirit. Here the dancer reappears
in proper make up and costumes. As mentioned earlier, the Theyyam represents a
mythological or divine character. The spirit of that Theyyam migrates into the
artist who has assumed that spirit and it is a belief that the god or goddess
comes in the midst of the gathering through the medium of the possessed dancer.
The dancer throws rice on the audience and distributes turmeric powder as
symbols of blessings. It is believed that the Theyyam has curative powers.
Karivalloor, Nileswaram, Kurumathoor, Parassini,
Cherukunnu, Ezhom and Kunnathoorpadi in north Kerala are places where Theyyam
is performed annually from October to May.
GOOD PERFORMANCE IS
ABOUT THE
CAPACITY TO
FOCUS AND CONCENTRATE
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