Ruminations of Wanderlust
This was the only Theyyam that did not have the traditional colours of red, orange and black, but was covered in white, almost the colour of ash. Stripes of black lines ran through his bare body and he wore a waist adornment made of nimble palm strands. His eyes were covered in patches of black… Continue reading Gulikan Theyyam
This was my 1st brush of the Theyyam performance in the dead of the night, which included spectacular dance rituals around and within leaping flames of fire. This is one of the most famous and sought-after performances and for good measure. After an elaborate dance on the legend of the deity and depicting its fury… Continue reading Kandanar Kelan Theyyam
The December air is sticky with perspiration, as mosquitoes buzz around and fly into our faces, like little drunks who have lost the way, in the thick vegetation on either side of the narrow mud road we are traversing on. A numb thumping of the drums in the distance breaks through the 2 a.m. darkness… Continue reading Theyyams: A Dance Divine