Kannur: Sophisticated Theyyam museum coming up

KANNUR: The upcoming museum for Theyyam in Chandapura of Kalliasseri constituency will be the most sophisticated built in a contemporary style.

Addressing a meeting of experts in the field at the guest house, ports and museum minister Kadannappalli Ramachandran said it would be more than just an exhibition centre.

"It would be a thematic museum that gives visitors a glimpse into the history and culture of Theyyam," he said.

"The museum is being built on 90 cents given by the PWD. The detailed project document will be finalised within a week and construction would begin soon."

Theyyam is a blend of history, culture and life of northern Kerala. The museum will contain authentic information about Theyyam. He also said that the museum would be arranged to explore various ornaments and thematic items related to Theyyam.

Local legislator T.V. Rajesh said that the museum aims at preserving the ritual art and facilitate learning and research.

"The museum will not be a centre for Theyyam performance or training, but an opportunity for the public to carry out studies and research activities," he added.

The museum is designed to be a three-storeyed building of 16,000 sq.ft., consisting of four galleries, an amphitheatre, auditorium, restaurants, souvenir shop, library, documentation and records room, admin area and a conference room.

The detailed project report was prepared by the Peach Foundation, led by the Keralam Museum, the nodal agency of the state government for museums.

District collector T.V. Subhash, Kerala Museum executive director R. Chandran Pillai, Kadannappally-Panapuzha grama panchayat president E.P. Balakrishnan, and many others including Theyyam artists, participated in discussions.