Theyyam

Theyyam is an Indian ritual practised in the North Malabar Region of Kerala and some parts of neighbouring Karnataka.

It involves extended singing of ritual songs related to the performing Theyyam and ceremonial preparations that typically span 8 to 10 hours. The ritual culminates with the placement of the mudi (sacred headgear) on the performer, a moment believed to mark the entry of the deity into the performer's body. As part of the process, the performer consumes madhyam (toddy), which is believed to suppress personal consciousness, allowing the divine consciousness of the devatha to manifest. This practice aligns with philosophical concepts found in Hindu texts such as the Yoga Vasistha, which describe how divine entities (devatas) can enter the human body, parakāya praveśanam at a Paramanu level.

Theyyam consists of traditions, rituals and customs associated with temples and sacred groves of Malabar. The people of the region consider Theyyam itself as a channel to a god and they thus seek blessings from Theyyam. In Kerala, Theyyam is performed predominantly in the North Malabar region (consisting of present-day Kasargod, Kannur districts, Mananthavady Taluk Of Wayanad And Vadakara And Koyilandy taluks of Kozhikode). A similar custom known as Bhuta Kola is followed in the Tulunadu area of the neighbouring Karnataka.

Theyyam rituals are performed by people of various castes, including the Thiyyar, who are responsible for the Kalasham submission, and the Malayar and Vannan communities, who perform the Theyyam. The Thiyyars traditionally hold the right to cancel any Theyyam performance if needed. Castes that adopted Brahmanical customs and acquired revenue titles have historically had no role in Theyyam, as they relinquished their kulam (lineage) and kulacharam (ritual practices) upon integrating into the Brahmanical fold, often in service of Vedic Brahmins. Female members of these castes are traditionally not permitted to enter the sacred space through the front entrance (thirumuttam) and must instead use the rear entrance.

Theyyam season starts on the tenth day of the Malayalam month of Thulam (usually during October in the Gregorian calendar, and is known as paththaam-udayam) and lasts up to seven months until the middle of Edavam month (typically late May and June). The last Kaliyaattam for the season is performed at Madayi Kavu and Kalarivathukkal Bhagavathy Temple, both being the family shrines of Kolathiri royal family.