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Theyyam – Acting like God

Urmila Marak

Theyyam is a ritual
dance form embodying
myth, drama, music art,
unique to the North
Malabar region of Kerala.
The name is a combination
of the words daivam
signifying “God”, and
attam meaning “dance”.
The ritual reveals the
influence of the divine
presence which is further
demonstrated by the
heroic performance.
Theyyam is performed
solely by male members
of particular communities
and takes place in shrines.
The preparations begin
41 days ahead of the
performance, amidst a
rigid set of rules. The
performer starts dancing
under drum beats, takes a
headgear on his head and
a lamp in hand and after
few circumambulations
of the shrine, he gets
possessed, starts chanting
and dancing. People reach out and seek blessings.
After the ritual is over, he is no more a deity but an
ordinary mortal.