Kerala: Artists perform traditional art form in temple dance fest

One of the rarest and oldest temple art form of Kerala, Muthappan Theyyam, is becoming a popular cultural event among art admirers.

Muthappan Mahotsavam, a two-day festival held in Kochi, attracted Theyyam enthusiasts from across the state. Foreign tourists and artistes also converged at the temple to witness the "dance of the deities".

Theyyam, is the dance of the deities, dressed in blood red costume, sparkling silver jewellry, intricate head gear, heavy gold anklets and bangles that clang above the singing, a pair of glittering, glazed eyes outlined in black on a brightly painted face in orange stares into a shiny mirror- Theyyam, or God stares back.

The festival, which began on Saturday, aimed to promote ritual folk art form among city dwellers.

One of the organisers, advocate Govind K. Bharathan, said that the artistes who perform Theyyam generally belong to lower castes. But when they are dressed up as Muthappa, devotees worship them irrespective of their castes.

"The deity comes out, joins with the devotees and blesses them as they pray to him. Normally in a temple the person takes out his life force and gives it to an inanimate object and that is worshipped. Here from the temple, the living deity comes out in a particular form. There are number of other Theyyams but this is the most worshipped Theyyam in Kerala," he said.

The art form is making its presence felt worldwide. An art festival, specially dedicated to Theyyam was recently held in Dubai and attended by thousands, added Bharathan.

A huge Muthappan temple is coming up in Mumbai, he further said.

The word 'Theyyam' is considered a derivation of the word Daivam, meaning God. Theyyam has evolved to become an elaborate religious rite, with the player becoming the voice and the manifestation of God on earth. Sound of the Theyyam performances highlights the aural aspect and explores the rich culture and history of the ritual.