The Shutterbug Chronicles

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

Seen above is the <i>kavu</i>, the village shrine where the ritual is performed. The theyyam chants and performs rituals to the deity. Sacrifices are also made. Seen alongside are the temple musicians.

INDIA | Monday, 7 November 2011 | Views [370]

Seen above is the kavu, the village shrine where the ritual is performed. The theyyam chants and performs rituals to the deity. Sacrifices are also made. Seen alongside are the temple musicians.

Tags: kavu, theyyam, kerala, india, ritual, shrine

Each theyyam has a distinctive costume. This includes elaborate jewellery, body paints, make-up and most importantly gigantic headdresses or <i>mudi</i>. Extreme attention and care are given to to this aspect of the tradition. As time progresses, one can observe a change in the costume and headdress of the theyyam signifying a change in the ritual’s phase.

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The agility and speed at which the theyyam moves keep the gathering spellbound. The complicated series of moves takes up to a decade of training to acquire.
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While the event is of great religious intensity and significance and has sustained itself on the involvement and support of the local people, it is on a decline. This has been attributed mostly to the younger generation of families involved in the ritual moving away from home or seeking alternate labor.

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The Shutterbug Chronicles

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

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