Kerala is known for its richness in the countless ritual art forms being practised from Kasargod till Thiruvananthapuram. Many such art forms have followers even from foreign countries. Theyyam is one such ritual form, which is being practised in North Kerala, especially in the erstwhile Kolathunadu kingdom that includes Kannur. Though it has been a study material in several universities and a subject for foreign documentary makers, a detailed study on this art form is yet to happen. Now, photographer-turned-ad film cinematographer Vinayak Gopal has decided to make a documentary on this ritual form, which has around 400 types.
“It was while watching a Theyyam performance at my family shrine in Kulathoor that I decided to cover it and complete it as a documentary. Though I have watched Theyyam earlier, it was after I started working on this project that I hear about different types of Theyyam,” says Vinayak, who has, in the first schedule, covered three Theyyam types — Bali Theyyam, Raktha Chamundi and Kandanaar Kelan.
“This part of the documentary will be completed after compiling the footages of two more Theyyam forms — Kathivannoor veeran and Puthiya Bhagavathi, which will be covered in September. I am planning to make this a study material for those interested in Theyyam,” says Vinayak, who recently cranked camera for an English-Malayalam bilingual short film, which has Gokul Suresh Gopi in the lead role.
