About Theyyam

• Theyyam is a famous ritual art form that originated in North Kerala.
• It encompasses dance, mime and music and exalts the beliefs of the ancient tribals who gave a lot of importance to the worship of heroes and the spirits of their ancestors. 
• The ceremonious dance is accompanied by the chorus of such musical instruments such as Chenda, Elathalam, Kurumkuzal and Veekkuchenda. 
• There are over 400 separate Theyyams, each with their own music, style and choreography. The most prominent among these are Raktha Chamundi, Kari Chamundi, Muchilottu Bhagavathi, Wayanadu Kulaven, Gulikan and Pottan.

Characteristics of Theyyam

• Theyyam artists use natural materials like charcoal, rice paste, turmeric, and colored clays for makeup.
• The makeup uses a limited palette, primarily red, black, yellow, and white. Each color has symbolic meaning.
• The “Mudi” headpiece plays a significant role in theyyam. It is a religious crown composed of different coloured coconut and areca nut splices.