Kasargod District - ART -Theyyam

STYLIZATION
Theyyam is a developed art form and hence systematic stylization had taken place in the course of its development. Most of the Theyyam dances maintain a unique style pertaining to the performance of each deity, within an particular area. In respect of rituals and songs there may be regional variations, but the visual appearance has no much variations. It is believed that one Manakkadan Gurukkal of Karivellur, a great Theyyam artist, had effected the present style in the 16th or 17th century, under the instruction of Kolathiri Raja. Following this tradition the Kolathiri or chieftains used to distribute the title like Manakkadan, Perumalayan, Peruvannan etc. to the distinguished Theyyam artists.

Theyyam is mainly intended to propagate religions, Hindu mythology, and belief even among the uneducated masses. There the art form is considered only as medium of communication and the cult centre where it is performed is a sacred centre of social organisation . The continued patronage of the masses makes it popular ritual art.

CASTE AND AGRARIAN RELATIONS
The agrarian society had contributed the cult of theyyam. This society had been organised in a caste hierarchical system. The inferior caste members had patronized their own Theyyam deities. The main deities propitiated by certain castes are given below.

1. Kammalas or Blacksmith Bali Theyyam

2. Thiyyas or Ezhavas Poomala , Vayanattu Kulavan, Kathivannur Veeran, Poomaruthan, Muthappan etc.

3. Vaniyan (oil monger) Muchilott Bhagavathy

4. Maniyanis Kannangatt Bhagavathy

5. Saliyas Chooliyar Bhagavathy

Apart from the above, many other theyyam deities were propitiated commonly by all castes.

The brahmanical temples and feudal families controlled the affairs of Theyyam. The naduvazhi played an important role in such affairs. One of the rituals of a Theyyam festival is to carry out fire or flame from a local Brahmanical temple to the village shrine. The permission for conducting a festival is necessary from the local landlord or naduvazhi. The landlords and the village elders enjoyed the right to restrict the out castes in their respective shrines. All members of a community were forced to observe traditional caste rules.

THEYYAMS AND LOCAL HISTORY
The myths and legends of the Theyyam deities. often relate to the local heroes and heroines. Some of their songs reflect certain episode from the local history. Divinity to these heroes had been attributed by the society. The medieval heroes like Kathivannur veeran, and Thacholi othenan were characters from local history. They were defied and worshipped for their heroism. The goddess Puthiya Bhagavathy (new) and Makkam were heroines of tragic stories. Makkam was considered to be an immoral woman by her beloved brothers. The jealousy of their wives made her a victim of their suspicion. The brothers dropped her and children in a deep well. Later she was elevated as a goddess and she was a chaste woman. This episode from local family history provided the theme for a Theyyam Goddesses. A local chieftain wanted to molest a woman who had lost her several children. Her protest against the chieftain resulted in to the punishment by throwing her in a leaky country boat floated on a river. Burning fire wicks were also placed on her head. Later the memory of this woman was kept alive, by the society who elevated her to a Goddess named Puthiya Bhagavathy. This Bhagavathy is a disease mother and a goddess of small pox. Many other stories like these could be traced from the myths and legends of several Theyyam Gods and Goddesses with deep roots in local history.