Mappila Theyyams
I think my brief account about the Theyyams of Malabar wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Mappila Theyyams. Mappila is a synonym for Muslim. That is, the central character of the theyyam is a Muslim. I must also admit that I have not witnessed any of them. They are being performed mainly in Kasargod district and those theyyams are cited as
yet another example of religious harmony in Malabar.
Hindus and Muslims both take
part in the events and seek the blessings of Mappila theyyams.
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| Aali Theyyam at the Aarikkadi temple blessing a Muslim devotee |
However, the non-Muslim, traditional performers like the Vannans, (always a Hindu) enact in these performances.
What’s more, some of these
‘Mappilas’ are housed in the temple premises itself as a sub-deity.
Here, I’m show-casing six of
them.
1.
Aali Theyyam.
The
theyyam is exclusive to a Hindu tharavad (ancestral house) named Naduvilan
in a small town called Kumble (or Kumbala) in Kasargod district,
40 km from Mangaluru. They had their own temple too devoted to Chamundeswari,
a fearsome form of the Hindu Divine Mother Parvati who was closely
associated with Kali, another fierce aspect of Parvati.
In this seemingly happy scenario, enters Aali who practices black-magic who used it for enticing young & beautiful women. He was licentious.
(All
these happenings are said to have taken place 800 years ago!)
Naturally
Chamundeswari got furious and decided to finish him off.
She
took the form of a voluptuous virgin and went to the temple pond for taking
bath.
Aali
followed her and she invited the occultist to have a bath together.
It’s anybody’s guess now!
Aali was killed but prior to his end, he turned
remorseful. At the time of death, Aali expressed his desire to serve the Mother
Goddess.
Thus,
he was given the additional duty of protecting the people of Kumbala.
He was
installed at a special abode at the temple premises itself.
 |
| The Chamundi with Aali |
He has
only the minimum make-up. Face is blackened with charcoal and there is a small
headgear! That’s all.
People,
both Hindus as well as Muslims approach Aali with chicken and jasmine
flowers to get his blessings.
2.
Bappiriyan Theyyam
Originally
Bappiriyan was said to be a Muslim belonging to a traditional business
family.
 |
| Bappirian Theyyam |
Unfortunately,
the weather turned rough and there was a cyclone at the sea. Sadly enough, the
vessel was completely destroyed. Clinging onto the wooden logs, they had to
hold on for days together. Bappirian managed to reach the shore somehow and he searched for the princess and her brothers. Luckily, Aryappoonkanni
could save her life too without any damage! However, nothing was heard
about her brothers.
The
princess was convinced that her desire for more jewellery was the root-cause of
the tragedy. She decided to shed her desires once and for all.
As a
thanksgiving gesture, she elevated Bappirian to the status of a theyyam
and installed him in a temple named Kaithakkil atop the hill Koorankunnu
near Taliparamba.
 |
| Bappiriyan in action |
As you can see from the pic, Bappiriyan theyyam climbs the coconut tree as if walking up. The relative ease is astounding! Only once, an accident occurred but the Theyyam artist, Rajesh miraculously escaped. He is back in action too. The villagers had immediately bought him an auto-rickshaw to make both ends meet! Nobody expected him to make a spectacular return!
3.
Koyi Mammad Theyyam
The
hero of this folklore named Koi Mammad, was against tree-felling, more or less
in the same mould as Amrita Devi Bishnoi. We are familiar with the
incident which happened in a village Khejarli, near Jodhpur, Rajasthan
around September 1730. The Maharaja of Marwar,
wanted
to build a new palace and his Minister had an idea of felling trees from the
village Khejarli, inhabited by Bishnois who were true
environmentalists. On arrival, the
Minister and the soldiers found Amrita Devi and her three daughters shielding
trees with their bodies. The Minister ordered to cut down the trees even at the cost
of four lives! Soon after they found other Bishnois of the village,
mostly elders rushing to the place and hugging the trees with renewed
energy. A total of 363 Bishnois
were massacred.
For Koyi Mammad too, trees were sacred.
He was
smart, had a respectable job as Karyastan (Chief Manager) of an
illustrious Nair tharavad and irresistible to woman on account of his
persona.
It is
also said that he was in love with a Nair girl which enraged the elders. The
unanimous decision was to finish him off. So, they stabbed him with a knife,
nothing happened!
The
shot him with gun, again nothing happened!
So
long as he wore a yantra (special purpose amulet) around his waist,
nobody could harm him in a direct fight! Mammad had himself revealed the secret of
his invincibility to his adversaries.
In a
rare ploy avoiding a one-to-one confrontation, a big tree was cut off and Koyi
Mammad came in rushing. The massive tree was felled upon him which crushed the
nature-lover to death.
 |
| Koyi Mammad Theyyam blessing devotees |
Subsequently,
the elder men of the tharavad started showing signs of mental illness!
Hallucinations had begun and they saw Nair women of the tharavad moving around wearing purdahs!
The
family-astrologers were summoned and as per their advice, Koyi Mammad was
elevated to the status of a Theyyam.
Koyi
Mammad was housed in a prime property at the Tharavad.
The
companion-theyyam of the temple is none other than the Nair girl he loved,
rechristened as Chamundi.
It is
interesting to note that the Thottam Pattu for the Koyi Mammad Theyyam is
always done by Muslims.
(contd.
In the next part)
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