Lead of a Theyyam near Kannur, Kerala.
Theyyam or Theyattam is a popular ritual dance of Malabar viz North Kerala. Kannur can rightly be termed as the birth place or womb of Theyyam. Theyyam is a corrupt form of deivam or God. It’s a unique combination of dance, music and also reflects the main features of a tribal culture. It’s a religion based ritual dance. The legendary Keralolpathi highlights the role of Lord Parasurama in sanctioning the following festivals like Thiyyattam or Deivattamn, Paravela and Kaliyattam to the people of Kerala as a whole. The Theyyam performance has an aura of divine splendour as its accompanied by rituals & other devotional hymns. Its indeed an unprecedented experience to watch this dance symbolising the ultimate power. The impact is tremendous when the performer feels that for those moments he is the supreme identifying himself ala the aphorism in Jnana Yoga; Aham Brahmasmi viz I am Brahman. Its a moment of total synthesis. This will reinforce the faith in the Supreme, as Jesus said in the Bible “Faith can move mountains!” This folk art has a myth; the age-old belief that Goodness destroys evil. Every Theyyam symbolises a holy purpose as declared by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita: “Whenever righteousness is on the decline & unrighteousness is in the ascendant, then I body myself forth”. Its the strong belief that each Theyyam represents a spark of manifestation of the supreme Brahman
Size: 3498px × 5390px
Location: Sacred grove, near Kannur, Kerala, India.
Photo credit: © Simon Hathaway / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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