Theyyam- The Traditional ritualistic dance of Kerala
Theyyam is a dance form in Kerala and Karnataka which comprises thousands of years old traditional ritualistic customs. The lower caste people perform this dance. The Nambootiri Brahmins formed this caste. People of Kerala consider that Theyyam is a means of communicating with God and therefore they seek blessings. This dance is performed by males. But Devakoothu Theyyam is a ritual that is performed only by women in the Kumbad Kulom temple.
Theyyam is mostly performed in Kolathunadu of Kerala. It consists of districts like Kasargod, Kannur, Mananthvady, and so on. In Mangalore, there is a region named Bhuta Kola, here too a similar custom is followed.
The various types of Theyyams are as follows:
Vishnumoorthi
Sree Muthappan Theyyam
Padikutti Amma
Gulikan
Padamadakki Bhagavathy
Kathivanur Veeran
Manakkott Amma
Kuttichathan
Chamundi
Madayil Chamundi