The Dance Of The God

Theyyam is a popular form of worship predominant in North Kerala.

- Narayana Menon

"Aaaarrggh....!” A spine chilling guttural cry emanated from the being in front of us. I exchanged a side glance with Akhil. Yes, it has begun. The journey of transformation where humans take the divine form to play out the dance of the Gods was on. We were in Kannur and witnessing this visual spectacle of Theyyam, a ritualistic form of worship that incorporates dance, mime, and music. The infusions of tribal cultures are also visible wherein worship was not just limited to the godly but also included ancestors, folklore heroes, animals, and spirits.

We stood mesmerised as Neethu, our colleague who is from Kannur explained the genesis of it. “Theyyam is supposedly the corrupt form of the Malayalam word ‘Daivam’, which translates to God. It is also called Thirayattam as every ‘Thira’ (village) performed this ritualistic art typically at the village temple known as ‘Kaavu’ and devoid of stage, curtains etc.”

“Theyyam also had a strong connect to the social fabric of those days as it was typically performed by people of the lower caste. A time when caste discriminations prevailed supreme, for that day the performer is divinity personified and the elite bow down seeking his blessings. Talk about tables being turned, eh,” I noted.

“Interesting you mention that, as for us, it is a festival of the land now and irrespective of caste or religion, everyone partakes in it,” stated Neethu.