Sruthi Kc

Immortals of Kerala Sruthi Kumar Theyyam is an ancient ritual happens in North Malabar (vadakke malabar). It has a long back history of significance. North Malabar is always famous for theyyam( thira). Especially in Kasargod and Kannur districts are the well known places for Theyyam. Theyyam also called Kaliyattam. Theyyam is a divine imaginary version comes from a person.The person who dances with the spirit of God is known as Theyyam, and the dance form is to be done by the Theyyam is known as Theyyattam. While being a Theyyam, he puts plenty of ornaments and attractive dresses is called as Theyya kolam. In Theyyam, there are a lot of hard works behind it. It includes sincerity, honesty, blessings etc. Theyyam especially represents the Goddess versions ( Muchilottu Bagavathi). Same time Theyyam also represents Gods (Kathivannor Veeran). In North Malabar history shows there are more than five hundred Theyyams are roaming. But still approximately one hundred and twenty Theyyams are standing for the welfare of the people. Each and every Theyyam has a story behind it and a transcendent victory. According to our sacred tradition says the legend Parasurama who founded Theyyam ( Kaliyattam, Puravela, Deviyattam). He has given some restrictions for the people who does Theyyattam. Only people from Velan, Vannan, Malayan( backward community) can be done Theyyattam. Theyyam always famous for it’s artistory facial paintings and the vertigo of ornaments. It’s an unalloyed version of beauty and divinity. Theyyam always prefers reed colour for facial paoint. It shows the raudhra bhava of the God(Angry), each God prefers different colours dfor facial paintings. According to their Theyyattam they will choose the colour. Theyyam’s cloth is an important part while stepping up. The cloth known as Pattu. Theyyam always prefers Red colour for clothing. Kaanathoor Umesan Nenikkam is a Theyyam artist from Kaanathoor, Kasargod district. It’s been thirty years he started practicing Theyyam. Umesan has done more than thousands of Theyyams version in famous temples in different parts of Kerala. He started practicing Theyyam from his childhood. Pulikkandan Theyyam was the first ever Theyyam done by Umesan when he was in fifteen years old. Umesan always represents Bagavathi Theyyam (A version of Godess Theyyam), also represents vyraghathagan, Vishnu moorthy, and Muchiloottu Bagavathi. He learned lessons about Theyyam and its importance from his father. His father used to practice Theyyam art till his death. Umesan explains Theyyam “we say Theyyam is an art form of Kerala, but its not an art form, instead of art form its a Karma”. People who is getting the blessings directly from God is luck. Unfortunately, recently people are misusing it and looting the divinity of Theyyam. We should respect our every rituals and customs .Because they are the back bones of the society. Without such believes our society cannot survive until and unless they are aware of such customs.Umesan believes Theyyam has a power not for predicting the future of a devotee, but while being a Theyyam automatically a power comes into the body, then the person starts predicting the future. Its a truth. Theyyam and Thira are the best attractions you can see only in Kolathu Nadu( Kannur, Kasargod). Theyyam enshrines the rudiments of ancient tribal cultures. A similar custom is still following in Tulunadu(Mangalore) is called Buta Kola. Here we can see the unity between two states Kerala and Karnataka. Through such rituals and customs people can make an unbreakable togetherness. Theyyam and Buta Kola always shows the unity and the sincerity between people and the welfare of the people.