Kerala, Photography

It’s Theyyam time, again …

Sreejith Nair

You can view Theyyam from different dimensions, such as, art, folklore, culture, myth etc;

But, one thing most of us fail to see is the human endurance perspective.

To me, Theyyam is one of the ‘Physically most demanding’ ritualistic folk art.

I felt it again, last day, when I watched a Theyyam named ‘Ilamkolam’ performed near my home.

A few images here,

Published by Sreejith Nair

I am from the south indian state of kerala, and now living in Bangalore. My passion is travelling and photography.

34 thoughts on “It’s Theyyam time, again …”

    1. Thank you so much, Tish for your appreciative comments 🙂

      Kerala is quite an interesting place for it’s demographic mix, left liberal politics, and it’s rich art, craft, festivals, rituals and folkart forms.

      Now, Kerala is a standout place for it’s fight against the Corona pandemic with the best recovery rate and least mortality rate…

      https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/04/13/999313/kerala-fight-covid-19-india-coronavirus/

      Hope, we could hear more positive news from across the world soon 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much Jeff for your visit and comment 🙂

      Yes, Theyyam is something which saturate your senses …

      There are hundreds of different Theyyams in the two northern most districts of Kerala and luckily I live in one of them 🙂

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much, Cornelia for your visit and message 🙂

      Theyyam is one of the most interesting ritualistic art form in this part of India and it’s performed by only a few communities.

      It’s a seasonal ritual and the livelihood of the community depends solely on this.

      Due to Covid-19, these communities lost almost a complete season and they are desperate for financial support from the government.

      As you can guess, the financial impact of Covid is much more in the marginalized communicates than the salaried class.

      Like

      Reply

        1. In two weeks, this year’s Theyyam season is supposed to start and I am eagerly waiting to see what happens ?

          The Covid cases are increasing here now and one more season without Theyyam will be disastrous for the communities …

          Let’s hope, things will take a positive turn soon …

          Like

    1. We discussed about Theyyam many a times and I am sure you have an idea about it 🙂

      But, the situation of Theyyam performers or the community who performs this ritual has deeply been affected by the Covid Pandemic.

      Hope, the situation will improve fast and the next season won’t get affected …

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much for your visit and comments 🙂

      As I reply to your comments after 3 months, lot of things have changed and of course for the community of Theyyam performers.

      They belong to the lowest rung of the caste system in India and for ages they were an oppressed class.

      Their only revenue is through Theyyam performance and that too during the summer months.

      Due to the Corona outbreak, everything got stopped right in the middle of the Theyyam season and hundreds of thousands who belong to the communities which perform Theyyam are now left with no source of income.

      The Pandemic affects rich and poor in different ways and I feel, in a country like India, more people will be affected financially than the virus directly.

      Hope things will take a positive turn soon ….

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Oh my! I hope it takes a turn for the better soon! Prayers for the performers!
        And I do agree that the rich and poor and middle class are impacted but in different ways.
        Hope the global communities recover with strength and at a good pace….

        Like

        Reply

    1. Thank you so much for your visit and comment 🙂

      It’s just an amazing ritualistic performance and it’s practiced by some select communities who belong to the lowest castes in India (Hope you heard about the complex caste system in India).

      But, when a man become Theyyam, he is treated as god and people of all castes seeks his blessings… In this way, it’s more interesting than just an art …

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much Amy, for your visit and appreciative comments 🙂

      As I am from this unique place in North Kerala, where Theyyams are performed, I have an emotional connect to it and you might have found many a posts connected to Theyyam here 🙂

      You can still expect more 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Absolutely, Anil …

      Theyyam is just one of the thousands of art forms in India and you know, there are around 700+ different Theyyams in the two northern most districts of Kerala alone.

      I couldn’t really explore much of India yet, but, I really would like to explore and document our rich heritage and culture.

      Thank you so much for your visit and comments 🙂

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment