Theyyam is a ritual form of worship and dance in north Kerala

Theyyam is a ritual form of worship and dance in north Kerala. It’s a several hundred years old tradition with each Theyyam having its own rituals and customs. People come out in large numbers to seek blessings from the Theyyam god or performers. The Theyyam performers belong to the lower caste community as per the ancient caste structure formed by Namboothiri brahmins in Kerala. I filmed this video in and around the Kannur district - which is mainly the place where Theyyam happens. This place is far away from Kerala’s tourist circuit but it has many such less explored treasures.

Theyyam tradition looks much similar to the Bhoota Kola worship we have in Karnataka. It has been beautifully demonstrated in a Kannada movie- Kantara.