KANNUR: A 7.5-hour documentary, Chilambattam, is one of its kinds featuring close to 350 Theyyam art forms of North Malabar. The film, directed by Pavithran Chinnoos, has the origin, myth, costumes and details of every Theyyam which is the common emotion of people here. Besides major Theyyam such as Muchilot Bhagavati, Theechamundi, Vishnumurthy, Raktheshwari, Thai Paradevatha and Kundor Chamundi, the rare demigods such as Thacholi Othenan, Kara Gulikan and Mappila Theyyam also appear in its full vibrancy.
“It took 12 years of hard work to make the film. I travelled from temple to tharavadu to kavu to capture the swinging moods of Theyyam,” says Pavithran, who is passionate about the ritualistic art since childhood. Another notable thing is the detailing about Devakooth, the only Theyyam performed by women once in two years. How Theyyam is linked to various caste, tharavad and kavu is being explored. It also looks into 41 days of strict penance an artiste has to undergo to become a demigod.
Mappila Theyyam traces its origin to Kottayil Tharavadu of Kamballur in Kasargod. It was the past members of the Tharavadu who made all arrangements of Islam believers who reached there for religious propagation. The myth is that the close relations of Hindu Nayars and Muslims ended in a muezzin becoming Mappila Theyyam after his death along with the Karijamundi, the local demigod. Pavithran hopes that the narratives and information treasure about Theyyam would be of great use for generations.
