Malabar

Malabar a land with a resonant past. Myths and legends abound. The ships of Solomon, they say anchored along our coasts to collect timber for building the ‘Temple of the Lord’. Malabar has always been a favorite destination of the intrepid foreign traveler. Europeans, Chinese and Arabs have visited our coasts. In his book of travels Marco Polo recounts his visit to the area circa 1250 A.D. Other visitors included Fahian, the Buddhist pilgrim and Ibn Batuta, writer and historian of Tangiers.

The word Malabar used first by Al-Biruni (973-1048 A.D.) and the Arab writers seems to be derived from mala (hill) --Cosmas Indicopleustus (6th century) refers to the Kerala Coast as male- and varam(country). Medieval Tamil writers called the land malainadu(the land of hills). The term Malayalam, which is the language of Malabar, is the indigenous word for denoting the country; it is composed of mala (hill) and alam (land).

Theyyam

Theyyam or Thira of Malabar is one of the most popular ritualistic dances of Kerala. This is a devotional performing ,in symbols and presentations. One can see the Divine Power through the person performing the Theyyam. All the dancing Theyyams are gods of different origin. We can see and pray gods and dead respectable persons in Theyyam. Theyyam is a kind of symbolic worship. Gods, godesses, demi-gods, epic characters, demons ,spirits, lower animals like snakes ,great ancestors and heroic men are worshiped through Theyyams.

Formerly, when there was outbreak of smallpox, deities like "Puthiya Bhagavathy", "Kantakarnan", “Vasoori Mala” and “Dandadevan” were performed. For getting children "Makka Bhagavathy" and Naga Bhagavathy” were performed. For smooth and safe delivery “Uchitta” was performed. Deities like “Puthiya Bhagavathy”, “Kathuvannur Veeran” were performed for the fulfillment of desires and safety from dangers. Some are performed for good harvest. Theyyams are performed at temples and big Tharavads . Kavu, Palliyara,

Kottam and Mundya are places of Theyyam Deities. Theyyam also is related to the worship of trees. Deities have sanctum in Coves.Theyyam derives from “Daivam” which means God. Some Theyyams are called “Thira”.The songs of Theyyam are called “Thottam Pattu”Depending on facial decoration, the crown and the dress there are different varieties of Theyyakolams.Vattamudi,Neelamudi,Pookkattimudi,Peelimudi,Chettamudi,Purathattu,Omkaramudi,Olamudi and Palamudi are different varieties depending on the Crown. Velumban, Kani and Vithanathana are some of the dresses. Pookkattimudi Theyyam wears Chirakuduppu with frills.Some Theyyams use only tender leaves of coconuts (Kuruthola).Theppu and ezhuthu are the two types of facial decoration. Body too is decorated. There are different names for the body paintings. Manayola, chayilium ,turmeric red and rice powder are used for painting. Rice powder paste is covered on the body of Karuvannur Veeran, Kanikkorumakan and Velutha Bhootham.

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