Monday, 25 May 2015

THEYYAM FESTIVAL OF KERALA


                                        THEYYAM FESTIVAL  OF KERALA



Kerala in tourism map widely known in the name of  gods own country  . Situated at the down south part of India and its famous for festivals too. There are Some festivals  we can see in north Kerala only.  North Kerala is called in the name of Malabar also.Theyyam is a festival you can see only in north Kerala(Malabar area)  and it’s a really interesting  art too. North Kerala is famous for theyyam festivals.There are lot different festivals in Kerala  but theyyam is a combination of music ,dance , and divine belief . Its visual beauty  can enjoy people regardless of age .theyyam is deeply religiously connected with north Kerala peoples god worship  and beliefs.  In the festival  each god or goddess came in the form of theyyam.  Each one is visually different and  its entry  with music instrument ‘chenda ‘  ( a traditional music instrument in Kerala) is really interesting and appealing . theyyam festivals in north kerala is normally known in the name of ‘KALIYATTAM’.


In the darkness of night there suddenly raises the fast music beats of chenda and here comes the theyyam with the escort of flambeaus  and the music of chenda  starts and  rises to shrilling . Accompanies by the shrieky music theyyam dances in the red environment  .  smell of palm , ghee ,oil ,camphor  spreading  in  air,  with the high pitch music of chenda ( a traditional music instrument in Kerala)theyyam dances the story. Temple will be decorated and lightened up  with  traditional lamps..Beauty of the festival theyyam is on its pinnacle at nights.

Normally  theyyam festivals  are seasonal, in north kerala its starts from every march and ends in May month last.This festivals are a social get together for peoples too.  There are lot of  versions for theyyam .In theyyam festival   male people are performing male and female roles .But  five  following theyyams we can see in almost  every theyyam festivals   . they are  vishnumoorthy(lord vishnu),raktha chamundi( goddess), angakkulangara bhagavathi(godess).,gulikan ,pottan theyyam.


Vishnumoorthy:  it’s the half lion half human form of lord Vishnu .With lions head and human body . male form of theyym. it’s  narasimha avatar of lord Vishnu .  



 


Raktha chamundi:   form of shakthi  goddess. Female  form of theyyam.





angakkulangara bhagavathi:   form of shakthi  goddess. Female  theyyam.














now there are two  theyyams gulikan and pottan theyyam fun to watch with these theyyams are also common you can see this in almost all theyyam temples and theyyam festivals of kerala.
gulikan theyyam  :    This theyyam performs with a mask and with palms decorated dress and hair . different from other theyyams .Its fun to watch this theyyam .normally starts at noon 12.30. its also male verson theyyam.












 pottan theyyam:   This theyyam also performs with a mask and with palms decorated dress and hair .. normally  starts at  mid night . This theyyam is a version of lord shiva related to shankaracharyas  story. Male version theyyam .

Now  there are some different theyyam u can see at special places only . one is uchitta.

Uchitta:   it’s a goddess  female version of theyyam  and male artist performs it ,belief is that  it’s the goddess maya devi  a form of goddess sree parvathy. This theyyam you can see at traditional  yogi family temples ( known as mutts or madhams). Got the pics and vedio from there.



Kala bhairavan:  incarnation of lord  shiva god  .theyyam only seen at family temples of yogi in kerala , there are lot to say about this theyyam and its play performance all related to lord shivas story .

 comment your reviews  so that i can write in detail about rare theyyams in the theyyam festival of kerala in next blog.

Click here to see theyyam festival Doodles

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