BOTANY OF THEYYAM

Introduction
BOTANY OF THEYYAM
Raji R and Raveendran K
Department of Postgraduate Studies & Research in Botany
Sir Syed College, Taliparamba.
03-41
Kerala is rich in folklore and folk activities. It is a realm of social emotions and thoughts
with ritualistic performance. The theyyam as a cult its origin can be traced back to rituals &
practices of primitive society. This cult is the form of a holy dance, has historical continuity
of over 1500 years (Kurup, 1973).
Scientifically, theyyam is closely related to trees, Agriculture and Medicinal plants. The rich
diversity of plants and animals are well narrated in the Thottam pattu * of Theyyams. Also,
information regarding fruits and vegetables of each and every place in North Malabar can be
traced from the Thottam pattu of Kautha - moori. A thorough search of Thottam pattu, the
rituals and performance of the different Theyyam, reveals the custom of remote past.
Plants associated to various Theyyams are highly medicinal, for e.g. Alstonia scholaris is
associated with fairies. The folk god Gullikan commonly propitiated below Michilia
chembaka, Azadirachta indica is sacred to Goddess Kali. The trees like Strychnos nux
vomica and Aegle marmelos are also connected to theyyam. The Ayiram thengil bhagavathi,
Elangikal bhagavathi, Checkippara bhagavathi etc. The very theyyam names such as these
indicate their relationship with specific trees and plants.
In writing the cultural history of a period for which material evidences do not exist a historian
has necessarily to depend upon surviving practices, rituals, ideas, customs, art form, folk-lore
etc. and reconstruct the past. The same technique can be used by a Biologist to find out the
biota that existed at the remote past. The careful analysis and examination of folk art is a
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good source for him to trace the folk medicine. Method of treatment of various diseases, the
way of dressing, preparation of natural colours and way of paintings, manufacturing
technique of cloths, bangles, ear rings, crowns and other makeup materials using different
wood and plant materials. It also indicates various types of firewoods used for different
aspects of performance. The medicinal food and vegetable crops planted during those days
find scientific evidence in Korathi thottam. The method of food preparation under highly
hygienic condition has clear representation in the Muthappan oottuvellattam performance.
*Devotional songs accompanying Theyyam.
Materials and Methods
The information and details were collected from various places in Kannur, Wayanadu and
Kasargode. The present study includes collection of information from theyyam performers
and experts with an analysis of this data. They describe theyyams of Pottan, Mari,
Wayanattukulavan and Muchilottu bhagavathi.
Makeup and costumes
Every theyyam varies from other, in few or many aspects in their costumes and makeup’s.
The face of theyyam is painted with natural colours. Colours prepared from Curcuma
domestica, Oryza sativa- (white), (green) from Albizia lebbeck, Abrus precatorius, Ricinus
communis. Artocarpus hetrophilla a gammy exudates is used as the gum. The necklace and
bangles are made up of Enythrena indica.
The dressings of the Pottan theyyam include crown, oliyuduppu, Aravalayan, thalapali,
Poykkathu, poymukham, Kazhuthilkettu, Kazhuthilpoo, Nakham etc. The crown, oliyuduppu,
Poykkathu,makham etc. are made by using tender coconut leaves (Cocos nucifera). The belt
fastening the waist, called Aravalayan is made up of Erythrena indica, flowers - Ixora
coccnea are arranged above this. A special item called ‘ Viruth’ is seen above the bangles
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and is made up of Caryota urens. The theyyam wear a mask of Areca catechu. The body of
the Kolam is coloured with Oryza Sativa.
Wayanattu kulavan
The crown is circular. It is made by using the stem of Mussaenda frondosa, Areca catechu,
Ochlanda rheed, Bambusa arundinaceae Calycopteris floribunda. The waist dress is in red
and white cloth. The body is painted with colours.
Muchilottubhagavthi
Mudi is circular and made up of Bambusa arundinaceae and Caryota urens and are covered
with colour cloths and flowers. The face of the player is painted with colours. The ear rings,
breast plate, necklace are made up of Erythrena indica.
Mari theyyam
The dressing of the theyyam includes only the tender coconut leaves (Cocos nucifera). The
performance of this theyyam begins with handling of Piper betle and Areca catechu. During
the performance this theyyam visits houses. A specially prepared solution called Gurusy
(Curcuma domestica+Calcium Carbonate) is taken by the kolam and sprayed around the
houses. The members of the houses donate Oryza sativa, Capsicum annum, Vitex negundo,
Curcuma domestica, Cocos nucifera, avil, malar, (Oryza sativa) Pepper, beetle, Areca
catechu, Brassica juncea, sodium chloride and Carbon to the kolam.
During the performance of Pottan theyyam and Muchilottu Bhagavathi, an interesting aspect
is that the performer leaps into a heap of burning wood called “Meleri”, this meleri is
specially arranged for this purpose. The meleri is erected by burning the wood of plants like
Artocarpus heterophyllus, Mangifera indica, Alstonia scholaris and Michelia champaka.
Prasadam
Pottan Cocos nucifera, avil, malar (Oryza sativa)
Wayanattu kulavan – coconut, toddy (Cocos nucifera) avil, nerippada, (Oryza sativa)
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Muchilottu Bhagavathi – Turmeric powder (Curcuma domestica)
Results and Discussion
The analysis of the above data shows that 36 plants are closely associated with the four
theyyams encountered in the project. (Table No. 1) Though all the 36 plants are medicinal,
most important are listed below – Albizia Lebbeck Benth, Alstomia scholaris L.R.Br,
Bambusa arundinacea (Retz.) Willd, Calycopteris floribunda Lam., Colocasia esculentra
(Linn) schott, Cocor uncefra L., Curcuma domestica valet, Erythrena indica, Ficus
bengalensis L., Ixora coccinea Linn, Magnifera indica L., Michelia champaka L.,
Mussaenda frondosa L., Ocimum sanctum L., Piper betle L., Piper nigrum L., Plumeria
rubra Linn, Pterocurpus santalinus, Ricinus communis L., Sandalum album, Tamarindus
indica, Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn) Roxb, Vitex nugundo Linn.
The very title of this discourse “Botany of Theyyam” is of a mixed response. It is a
harmonious mix of science and sociology. The amazement to the common man comes
naturally when a concept like theyyam is juxtaposed with a term ‘Botany’. The reason for
such a juxtaposition is part of the unveiling of this subject.
Informers: -
1. V.V. Ramaperuvannan, Kuppam. P.O., Taliparamba
2. Ratheesh P.K.Chanapuzha, Karimbam, Taliparamba
3. K.M. Mani, Porur, P.O. Wayanad
4. Gopalan, Chudala
Acknowledgments
The authors are obliged to Principal and Management of Sir Syed College, Taliparamba for
their timely help.
Reference
Chandera C.M.S. Theyyathinte Aadi Roopam,, D C Books
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Kurup K K N , (1973), The Cult of Theyyam and Hero Worship in Kerala, Centre for
Folklore studies, University of Calicut, Theyyam, Dr. M V Vishnu Namboothiri
Purohit, S S, Arun K Sharma, Tarun Kumar, (2003), A handbook of medicinal plants-A
complete source Book. Agro bios India Narayan Das Prajapati
Vishnu Namboothiri M.V , Kali Sankalpam Kerala Parisarathil.
Vishnu Namboothiri M.V, Pottan Theyyam
Vishnu Namboothiri M.V, Thottam Pattukal Oru Padanam
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