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Which district is also known as the land of the Theyyam?
Kannur
Kannur is dubbed as the City of Looms and Lores, thanks to the flourishing handloom industry and folk art called Theyyam.
Where can I see Theyyam?
4 Places to Watch the Traditional Art Form Theyyam in Kerala. Kerala, the land of rich cultures, was always replete with several varieties of dance forms from time immemorial.
Which month is Theyyam?
For the Theyyam artistes, the period of southwest monsoon (June to August) is a time to rest and prepare for the next season that starts by the Malayalam month of Thulam, which usually falls during October/ November every year. The Theyyam season lasts for about seven months, and winds up by the month of May.
Why is Theyyam performed?
Theyyam (Teyyam, Theyam or Theyyattam) is a popular ritual form of dance worship in Kerala and Karnataka. Theyyam consists of thousand-year-old traditions, rituals and customs. The people of these districts consider Theyyam itself as a channel to a god and they thus seek blessings from Theyyam.
Why is Theyyam celebrated?
In northern Kerala almost all villages, communities and households have their own deity which implies their own celebration of Theyyam. They believe that performing the Theyyam rituals will bring prosperity and remove hazards from one’s life cycle.
How Theyyam is performed?
It is also performed in the houses as ancestor-worship with elaborate rites and rituals. There is no stage or curtain or other such arrangements for the performance. The devotees would be standing or some of them would be sitting on a sacred tree in front of the shrine. In short, it is an open theatre.
How was Theyyam formed?
Theyyam originated from Kaliyattam. The indigenous tribal communities were handed over the responsibility to perform the Theyyam. These tribes included Malayar, Pana, Vannan and Velan. Velan one of the Theyyam dancers is referred to in the sangam literature.
How did Theyyam originate?
What is Theyyam?
Theyyam consisted of thousand-year-old traditions, rituals and customs. The people of these districts consider Theyyam itself as a channel to a god and they thus seek blessings from Theyyam. There are about 456 types of Theyyam.
Where can I find media related to Theyyam?
IGNCA, Delhi. Retrieved 10 October 2014. New Delhi has a collection of 1800 slides with research notes by Balan Nambiar Wikimedia Commons has media related to Theyyam. Theyyam calendar, including images.
Where is theyyam performed in Kerala?
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 is followed in the Mangalore region of neighbouring Karnataka known as Bhuta Kola .
Where can I find Theyyam in Malabar?
From December to April, there are Theyyam performances in many temples of Kannur and Kasaragod. Karivalloor, Nileswaram, Kurumathoor, Cherukunnu, Ezhom and Kunnathoorpadi in North Malabar are places where Theyyams are performed annually (Kaliyattam) and draw huge crowds.