Dance of The Gods – Theyyam – A Ritual Art Form of North Kerala

Home » Dance of The Gods – Theyyam – A Ritual Art Form of North Kerala

If you are planning a Kerala vacation, the winter months are the best time to visit. The weather is pleasantly warm, the backwaters are alluring as ever and the festival season begins. Besides its stunning natural beauty, Kerala tourism is also renowned for its exceptional culture and heritage. The unique Keralite culture constitutes fascinating rituals and dance forms which are incredible to behold. Theyyam- Dance of the Gods is one of the many vibrant dance rituals of Kerala.

Although Theyyam is dance form, it is not performed for the mere purpose of entertainment. It is a ritualistic manifestation of ancient worship, the legends of which, date back to centuries. The word ‘Theyyam’ in derived from the word ‘Daivam’ which means God in Malayalam. This is because Theyyam is performed to invoke gods and ancestors or even nature. The Theyyam is predominantly performed in the northern parts of Kerala during the winter months.

If you happen to be in the northern parts of Kerala especially in Malabar, there are high chances that you get to witness a Theyyam dance ritual. You can identify Theyyam by the distinctive, vibrant red costumes, decorative face painting, hypnotic chants and rhythmic thumping of the feet. It is usually held at village temples, where the Theyyam dancers depict a mythological story through the act. The Theyyam dancers dress elaborately to personify the grandeur of various mythological figures includes gods & goddesses, demons and spirits. The Theyyam dance usually ends with the dancers walking on burning coal. However, there are more than 450 variations of Theyyam, each with its unique aspects. The dance is usually held organized for temple rituals or even as a family custom.

If you want to witness this mesmerizing dance form, opt for Kerala tour packages between the months of November- February. Once you land in Kerala, you may enquire the locals or your tour guide about the Theyyam performances being held nearby. So get set to be enthralled by the hypnotic beats, vibrant costumes and dance moves of the Theyyam dancers. Watching the Theyyam Dance is a breathtaking experience that you wouldn’t want to miss!

A Theyyam performance is generally divided into two parts. The initial part of the dance is called as ‘Thottam, which is the invocation phase. In the second phase of the performance, it is believed that the spirits of gods and goddesses possess the dancers and communicate through expressions. Usually, a large crowd gathers around the dancers to seek blessings from the gods during Theyyam.

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