Theyyam is an ancient ritual art from northern Kerala in India that combines dance, music, song and worship. It means “dance of God” and is mainly practised in the Kannur and Kasargod districts between October and May. During the ritual, the performer, often from a Dalit or tribal community, temporarily embodies a deity or an ancestral spirit through spectacular make-up, body painting and costumes with huge headdresses. The performance, accompanied by drumming and narrative chanting, is experienced as a true divine incarnation: the dancer then becomes a god who blesses and advises the faithful.
Beyond art, Theyyam is a living expression of Kerala's traditional spirituality and society. It perpetuates local myths, protects nature and temporarily reverses social hierarchies by elevating the artist to the supreme rank of the sacred. Even today, this ritual fascinates with its aesthetic and symbolic power, and remains a cultural pillar deeply rooted in the identity of Kerala's communities.
Sources: Wikipedia, ChatGPT, Kerala Tourism
English