Theyyam In Kerala

 A ritual dance performed in Temples in fulfillment of vows of devotees. Theyyam, the local deity is believed to bless and arbitrate between the farmers and the Landlords.

It is purported to be the dance by the Goddess Herself. The dancers are men in feminine attire wearing costumes made of palm leaves, cloth and brass jewellery, ferocious masks and big head gear, some extending up to forty feet in height.

The pace of the dance is set to the beating of Chenda (drum). The artiste invested by the goddess in his person falls in a trance, dances deliriously to the mounting tempo and conveys, as an oracle, the goddess's acceptance of the vow and blessings or otherwise.