KOZHIKODE: The Dalit organisations are up in arms against the ritualistic Theyyam being commercialised at public venues. The Dalit artistes, who perform Theyyam, fear that the community would lose its custody of Theyyam with this trend. A convention to discuss the issue will be held at Payyannur on Sunday under the banner of Uthara Kerala Malaya Samudaya Uddarana Sangham. Two reasons have been cited by the Malaya, Vannan, Koppala, Pulaya and Mavilaan communities against the art form's commercialisation.
“Primarily Theyyam is a ritual art performed only in Kavus, temples and Tharavads. “Besides the performing community, Yadavas, Vaniyas and Ezhavas have a decisive role during the performance based on beliefs. Secondly, if everyone performs Theyyam, the Dalit communities would eventually lose the ownership of the art form and aggravate their social alienation," points out B.M. Rajan Panicker, state joint secretary of the Sangham.
The Dalits have been provoked by the increased appearance of Theyyam on television channels, sport events and party conventions. "Dalits' survival would be in jeopardy if they lose their custodianship of Theyyam. Like others, they cannot find other jobs as they are not a modernised lot," observes social activist Dr Mohanan Pulikodan. Theyyam is originally performed from the Malayalam month of Thulam to Edavam, but there is no time bar at public venues.
"Our own artistes are performing at public venues for money. We have been flooded with several complaints that the purity of the art form is being compromised," adds Mr Panicker. Suresh Babu Anjootan, veteran Theyyam artiste and CPM member, told this paper that if all the rituals and customs are being adhered to, Theyyam should be performed in public venues. In a season, more than 1,000 Theyyams are performed in Kannur and Kasargod districts.
