Theyyam

After reading William Dalrymple’s recent book Nine Lives which describes the experiences of a Theyyam dancer, I was curious to see them perform. This was made possible as in the evening at the Dinner, we were entertained by Theyyam dancers who danced with all the paraphernalia of that dance form. Theyyam (derived from Daivam or God in Sanskrit) are essentially individuals (invariably men) who are possessed by a deity while performing the ritual dance in the traditional costume and face paint. Held by some to be a Dravidian tradition that has survived Aryanization of the South, Theyyams are invariably dalits or uintouchables. When possessed, these dalits are virtually considered to be Gods and even chaste Namboodris would fall at their feet.