In North Kerala, there is a moment where a man ceases to exist. He looks into this mirror and he doesn’t see himself anymore. The divine in him takes over to perform the most thrilling conversations with people who have gathered to find out if God has a message for them.
What is Theyyam?
A spectacular ritual art form where performers embody powerful Hindu deities through intricate face painting, massive handcrafted head gear and rhythmic dance. Theyyam is performed in sacred groves called Kavu.
What happens during Theyyam?
The artist is believed to be physically transformed into a ‘living god’ to bless the community. Theyyam is a raw, social experience where people from all backgrounds can directly interact, talk to and seek advice from the deity in the performer. It’s breathtaking and a sacred part of Kerala’s modern identity.
The make up
During Theyyam, the artist’s face is transformed using turmeric, rice paste, and vermilion to create complex, symbolic patterns.
Each specific deity has a unique “face-writing” or Mukhabhezhuthu, which can take up to four hours of meticulous hand-painting to complete. This process is considered a meditative ritual, as it marks the transition where the human performer slowly loses their identity to the divine spirit. The final touch is often a “look in the mirror,” a sacred moment where the artist accepts the spirit and officially becomes the Living God.
The Climax
The man who is engrossed in his divine entity, who screams at your demons and dances through a bed of burning stones and proves the divinity in him reaches a climax where he looks at the mirror once again.
The Theyyam night comes to an end
In the end, after seeing the mirror he returns to his original form.
But after the experience he is never the same. And if you are a witness to this mesmerising art form, neither will you be the same.
