This is played early morning, the priest ware costumes made of natural colors, the dresses and the crown are made of coconut leaf, the way they make the crown is really amazing!!!
This traditional art is normally played on the place called Kavu (A small temple surrounded by trees and which belongs to a particular family. Every year this family has to conduct the festival and if any time they failed to conduct means something danger will happen to that family.)
Pottan theyyam
Pottan theyyam worship is popular among Nambiars and other nairs of Malabar. The myth behind Pottan theyyam is related to Sree Shankaracharya . While he was going to ascend "Sarwanjha Peedam" (throne of knowledge) Shiva intervened, disguised as a pulayan, with the intention to further test his knowledge. Siva came as 'Pulapottan', accompanied by 'Pulachamundi' (Parvathy in disguise) and, 'Pulamaruthan' (his minister Nadikesan). Shankaracharya asked them to go away as he did not want to be polluted by coming near to members of the lower caste. Then 'Pottan', who was Siva in disguise, engaged Shankaracharya in a series of arguments in which the former exposes the hollowness of caste system which divides the humanity into irrational fragments. "These arguments are dineated in "thottam" " that are verses pregnant with meanings."It is blood that flows through our veins (though I am a Pulaya); It is rice harvested from my dirty fields that is served as food for you"-the arguments of Siva in disguise goes. These statements made shankaracharya realize his prejudices and is enacted in this theyyam. During this performance by using different masks one after another the same performer acts the role of these different deities. There is also another myth that elders in Pulingome, near Payyannur in Kannur about the origin of 'Pottan Theyyam'. According to that story one wise man belonging to Pulaya community entered into argument with Shankaracharya about untouchability and the pollution caused by lower caste. After the departure of Shankaryacharya from the scene his disciples killed him and put in pyre. Later this Pulaya got transformed into 'Pottan Theyyam' and was worshipped in repentance for the sin performed by killing him. The nearly five-hour long performance of Theyyam begins with 'Thottam Pattu". It is followed by the appearance of the performer as "Pulamaruthan", " Pulapottan" and "Pulachamundi" theyyams in that order . The most breath-taking part of the performance is "Pulapottan" lying over the burning embers ("meleri", heap of red hot embers ), which is what remains when the logs of tamarind (Tamarindus indica) and jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) trees burn.
