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Theyyaattam:
Kerala's fire dance losing its appeal
by
J Samuel
Malabar
(Kerala): Malabar's Theyyaattam folk and ritual
dance form was very popular across Kerala. But sadly,
this is not the case anymore, as this dance dedicated
to the Gods, is losing its charm and popularity. Theyyam
or Theyyaattam is a pattern of hero worship largely
identified with the Malabar region in north Kerala.
It is a dance form supported by a vast literature
of folk songs. Theyyam is a corruption for Deyvam
or 'God'. 'Aattam' means dance. Thus 'Theyyaattam'
means the "God's Dance." This dance form is believed
to be about 200-years-old and one of its rare rituals
is the Thee Chanmundi Theyyam - where the performers
walk on a huge heap of burning charcoal in an apparent
dedication to the Almighty. Held inside local temples,
preparations for the fire dance involve making a bonfire
of dried wood trunks and charcoal.
Lamentably though, compared to other dance forms like
the famous Kathakalli, Mohiniattam, Theyyaattam has
no takers these days. "No one wants to come forward
to study, and there is not much going on for its studies
or training in the institution level," believes senior
performing artist Krishnan Kutty. Artists like Kutty
are unhappy at their inability to transmit their expertise
to the future generation for want of talented young
artists. With their sons and nephews engaged in other
jobs or careers that are more well paying, the continuity
of tradition has been broken. This situation prevails
in most families practicing the dance form. That is
why it is being felt that the Theyyaattam
is a vanishing
art form. The 'Mudi' face is decorated with red coloured
cloth as well as coloured papers. Also red coloured
flowers are used to make it more attractive. Over
and above to these items, and in fact, the most important
item for the Theyyam costume is the leaves of coconut
tree. The leaves of coconut trees are cut into different
and attractive shape which plays an important role
in the Theyyam costumes. "It is the duty of the government
to implement special projects to save this vanishing
art of Theyyaattam.
It is worthy of preservation and documentation as
original sources for anthropological, sociological,
historical and histrionic studies with an emphasis
to the evolution of religion from primitivism to modernity.
The cult of Theyyam is a real cultural heritage of
Kerala to the world of art. It is the worship of spirits
by invoking them to the mortal body of the dancer
who impersonates them and gives blessing to the believers.
Theyyaattam
is a rare combination of dance and music and reflects
important features of a tribal culture. The dance
or invocation is generally performed in front of the
village shrines. It is also performed in the houses
as ancestor worship with elaborate rites and rituals,"
claims Krishan Kutty. "Yes, it (an academy) will be
a good thing, but at present there is no such school
or any institution for this art for like the Kathakalli
or any other folk dance. No, the government till date
has not done anything for us. If we approach also
we have to face hell lot of difficulties," concludes
Anil Kumar, a Theyyaattam
artiste.
-
March 17, 2005
Sufi
festival gets under way in Delhi
New
Delhi: The music festival of Sufism knows no caste
or religion. That is the essence of Sufism and a six-day
Sufi music festival that began in the Indian capital
on Thursday night. Organised by the Indian Council
for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the festival will see
artists from all over the world under the unifying
tradition of Sufism. The opening act of the evening
was performed by a music band from Morocco known as
the 'Ibn Arabi.' The name of the band has been derived
from Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi, a Sufi saint whose writings
were founded on a totally harmonious vision of reality
and integrates all apparent differences between people
or religion. The Moroccon band has sought to preserve
an Arabo-Andalusian tradition in their music, both
sacred and secular. The soft melodies and the thoughtprovoking
lyrics captivated the audience. The Ibn Arabi ensemble
has taken up the challenge of reviving music in the
Siddiqia zaouia, tucked away in the heart of the casbah
in Tangiers -- no easy task in musical, aesthetic
or philosophical terms, out the result is a hauntingly
beautiful songs, singular and unforgettable. The unifying
theme of Sufism was highlighted at the festival which
will in the days to come witness the musical performances
from Sufi artists from Iran, Sudan, Bangladesh and
Egypt. Next to enthrall the audience was the Langas
and Mangniyars of Rajasthan. Famous for singing the
traditional colourful folk songs this was a welcome
change as they addressed 'Allah' in their recitations
of the Sindhi Sufi lores. A colourful presentation
of Sufism it was in contrast with the soft recitals
of the Moroccon band. The evening came to an end with
the Rajasthani folk artists singing their famous composition
of 'Dum a dum Mast Kalandar' which had the audience
on their feet enjoying the famous song which praises
the almighty. This clearly underlines the Sufi music
as a whole. The music which transcends all religious
boundaries was rightfully depicted by both the performances.
In todays times besides entertaining sufi music has
managed to spraed the exalted message of love and
peace to all. What started in dargahs years ago has
certainly become a singing culture which believes
in binding people.
- March 11, 2005
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