World DE Theyyam

Badrakali, (see Nov 27-28 Vrischikam 11, 12 in Theyyam calendar) is one of the noble wordly theyyam usually performed by “Pananmar”. The story behind this theyyam is that; when Kalidevi became matured she demanded a new cloth from Lord Mahadev for taking bath. But he directed her to “Aryankara Peruvannathi” and she also refused give it and also warned her not to take bath from the nearby pool. Kali became angry and she decapitates “Vannathi”. It is believed that later on “Vannathi” transformed in to a Theyyam. Kali again fought with twelve “Aryans” not for giving the share of Aryans wealth and beheaded all the twelve. With the head she made a chain and she wearied on her neck.

Angakkaran (see Nov5, Thulam 19 Theyyam calendar) in Malayalam means ‘Fighter’. The story related to the battle in Payyur hills in which the hero Angakkaran defeated the Marutola (enemy) named Kelu. After the defeat, the enemy went to hiding thrice. The last time he was found, and was killed by Angakkaran. In theyyam performance, the Marutola is represented by another man with a sword in his hand and a red head dress. In the fight the sword of the Marutola is taken by Angakkaran and he acts, as if, he were stabbing the defeated. The very terms Angakkaran means a person who conducts Angam or duel fight in the traditional manner of Payatu (fight). People worship this deity for success in evil and criminal suits and for the recovery of stolen or lost articles like ornaments. As this theyyam relates to a warrior, the performer has to undergo training in Kalari Payatu, a trditional warfare of Kerala state.

Puthiya Bhagavathi, (see Nov27-28 Vrischikam 11-12 in Theyyam calendar) was originated from the Holy Fire (Homakundam). The lord Mahadeva was a happy living in heaven with his two daughters (Chirumbamar). They were born from the third divine eye of ‘Lord Mahadeva’. Suddenly fatal disease spread out there and most of the members were fell in ill including ‘Lord Mahadeva’. He decided to send his daughters to the earth and ordered his courtiers to conduct a kind of ritual called “Homam” (sacrificial fire) to eradicate the all evils. The “Patteri’s” were doing the rituals. It is believed that the ‘Godess’ Bhagavathi emerged from the fire ember and everyone narrated the situation prevailing there and the condition of the people and the purpose of eradicating the diseases. They offered fresh hen’s blood to Bhagavthi to quench her thirst and as a miracle all evils and the chronic diseases disappeared from the destiny. It was described that further she came to earth in Kolathnad (North ...

Pookuttichathan Thira is a ritualistic art form of  Mahe  in  Pondicherry . It is performed in the Chalora Illam of Quilandy , near  Kozhikode . This art was contributed to Mahe by Tholan Mooppan,  the renowned uncle of the Puthalam family. It is performed at Puthalam in Mahe on 8th March,  every year. Myth beyond the art is that, Pookuttichathan was born to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi during their incarnation as Valluvas. The infant was gifted to Kalakot Nambudiri, who was praying for a child.  Once during the childhood, the naughty Pookuttichathan quenched his thirst with the blood of a bullock  which belonged to the Illam. The Nambudiri became angry and he cut the child into  390 pieces and offered it into the ‘ homa ’.  Out of that homa hundreds of chathan were born and one among them was Pookuttichathan. The main attractions of this art are the Vallattam and Meethu. Fantastic crown and typical kind of dancin...

This variety of Theyyam, the ritual dance performance, is presented during the night.  An offering to Lord Vishnu’s incarnation- Narasimhavathra – part lion part man- this ritual dance is an awe inspiring one and it is believed that the performer of this gets possessed by the spirit of the god. Thee Chamundi Theyyam performance is based on the mythological story of Hiranyakashipu, Narasimha and his disciple Prahlada.  Story Hiranyakashipu (the king of Asuras), is a demon in Hindu myths. His younger brother, Hiranyaksha was killed by Vishnu, during his Varaha incarnation. Enraged at this, he decided to kill Vishnu by acquiring magical powers from Brahma by performing a penance for him. At last he succeeded in securing a boon from Brahma that he would not die on earth or in space, or in fire or water, not during the day or night, not inside or outside and not by the hand of a human, god, animal or any other animate or inanimate species.  Hiranyakashipu is the un...

Story of Vishnumoorthi Vishnumoorthy Theyyam The most popular part of the  Vaishnava Theyyam  is the depiction of Vishnumoorthi. It is associated with  Nileshwar and  Jeppu Kudupady - Mangalore . It tells the story of Palanthai Kannan, a great devotee of  Lord Vishnu . Palanthai Kannan, a native of  Nileshwar  in his boyhood, tried to pick mangoes from a mango tree owned by Kuruvat Kurup. Without considering his age or the thirst for food, Kuruvat Kurup and his bodyguards beat him and drove away from Nileshwar . After that incident, Palanthai Kannan went to  Jeppu Kudupady - Mangalore  and took shelter in a  Vishnu temple there. When there, he obtained the blessings of  Lord Vishnu  and years later, he returned to his homeland, Nileshwar . On the way, Palanthai Kannan stayed one day in Moolapally in the house of a black smith [now near the railway line] and rested in the Kanakkappalli Anikkil  Tharavadu  ...