Theyyam, near Kannur, Northern Kerala: 10.1.2010

The extraordinary spectacle of Theyyam is a spirit possession ritual unique to the Kannur district of Northern Kerala. At the start of this short video we see a dancer who has become the invoked deity and is being approached by villagers for advice, blessing, guidance and the like. Next we see a dancer who is at the mukhathezhuttu stage of the event and is empowered by the flames, the drummers and the dancing prior to the manifestation of a God. In the final sequence we see a dancer dressed in a multi-layered palm leaf skirt who falls onto a huge mound of glowing fire embers, to be swiftly pulled down the side of the fire and out by priests in attendance; again the deity eventually occupies him and the scene closes in front of the village shrine.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Theyyam
• Kannur
• Kerala
• Spirit Possession
• India