
Theyyam, The Dancing Gods
Author(s) -
Filipe Pereira
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of anthropological films
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2535-437X
DOI - 10.15845/jaf.v2i1.1369
Subject(s) - divinity , ceremony , cult , performing arts , sociology , representation (politics) , art , history , visual arts , ancient history , theology , philosophy , law , archaeology , political science , politics
The cult of the Theyyams is exclusive to the north of Kerala, southwest India, and consists of a deity assuming a living form through a ritual performance. The main characteristic of this cult is that the performer is supposed to be transformed into the divinity, it is not merely a representation but a living god or goddess that is present to the believers, and everybody behaves according to that assumption.The main type of ceremony with the participation of Theyyams is the kaliyattam, a “danced story”, which happens during a festival organized annually in a village or family temple. The performers belong to the lower castes or tribes of the traditional social stratification system.The documentary follows Rajesh Peruvannan, a Theyyam performer, in the process of transformation into the condition of a living god.