An eye on Theyyam

While travelling all over Malabar to capture exquisite landscapes, people, culture and art forms for more than 10 years, Saji Chunda, a freelance photographer, has one confidant who accompanies him on all his journeys -his camera. Saji has travelled across the country and captured lives and emotions of people and nature.

“I was passionate about travel and photography since childhood," says Saji. “Travelling and seeing new places invigorates the mind. The only way to fulfill my passion was to become a travel photographer. I always enjoyed going to a new destination and capturing the cultural scene of the place."

Saji, who hails from Kannur, says that there are tremendous possibilities for tourism in Malabar region, but the authorities have never considered it. Theyyam, one of the ritualistic art forms performed in the villages of Malabar, is one of the many things that fascinated him and he devoted considerable amount of time capturing the various aspects of the art form. He was the chief photographer for a coffee table book, 'Theyyam - the other Gods', published by Stark World.

“With a different religious background, it was not easy to get access to temples where the rituals of Theyyam are actually performed. To capture unusual shots sometimes by waiting for an entire night was a Herculean task. But in the process, I realised that Theyyam is much more than an art form. Its rich pageantry and heady brew of colours, customs, music and magic still mesmerise me."

He continues, “Theyyam is fused into the lives of people in Malabar. The entire region comes alive as Theyyam involves the participation of people beyond caste, religion and economic barriers. Only a few know that one of the ritual forms of Theyyam has its connection with a Muslim religion known as Mokri Pokker."

He believes there is a difference between a traveller and a tourist. “A traveller is constantly in search of people, adventure and experience; but a tourist expects interesting things to happen to him. I never took anybody along on my travels as it might be very tiring."

He has a word of advice to travellers. “A good traveller has no fixed plans. A little common sense and a sense of adventure is what one needs. Believe me, if you are in trouble, help will come to you automatically, which is the rule to believe."