This post is to give a brief idea about Karimchamundi Theyyam. First things first. Theyyam is a popular ritual art form found in Northern Kerala mostly in the districts of Kannur and Kasargod. Theyyam is normally performed in Kaavu not in Temples. Kaavu is a small representation of temple, but is found mostly privatly owned. Also the gods worshiped there are different (mostly one among the 10 avatars of Mahavishnu)

 

I had a private function at home on 21^st of January. It was a big occasion when most of my family and relatives were present. It was associated with the restoration of Sarppakkavu at my tharavadu. But sadly I couldn't join them because of work pressures that weekend. My feelings and concerns are expressed in my yahoo blog entry Job V/s family.

 

So I went home this time taking leave on 27^th of January. 26^th of January was a national holiday on account of India's 57^th Republic day. Got the opportunity to attend Puthiyakaavu Temple Utsavam for the first time even though the temple is just 5 minutes of walk from my place. I never could manage to be in Kannur at this time of the year before. This time I head from someone about this Theyyam called Karimchamundi.

 

This is a very rare Theyyam attributing to its scary nature. Karimchamundi is performed at 3 o'clock at night and only lasts for an hour or two. Also this Theyyam performs a very rare act of killing chickens. Normally Theyyams doesn't do animal killings. I didn't want to miss the opportunity to watch it and so me and dad got up at 2 AM and went to the place.

 

I'm not sure about the kaavu's name. I think it's Ilamurikan temple. Its near to a place called Vankulathuvayal, at around 8 kms from Kannur city. On reaching there we got a clue on what's in store from the entrance itself where there was a board which said "Women are not permitted inside". As soon as the performance all the lights were switched off to increase the dramatic effect.

 

Karimchamundi has his face decoration in black unlike other Theyyams. It had dressing like Theechamundi and Vishnumoorthy but from the Karimchamundi's recites it seemed that it is an incarnation of Kali (Goddess!!!). Karimchamundi also said that even Yaman is afraid to look at her. But the face mask Karimchamundi wore in the middle of the act was that of Varaham (wild boar) which is the third avatar of Mahavishnu.

 

After an hour of performance, Karimchamundi started to do what it was famous for. Biting chickens. These chickens were given as offerings to the kaavu. Karimchamundi first cleans the chickens neck peeling off the feathers. Then it holds the chicken (the head in one hand and leg in the other) like a flute and bites right in it's neck and then plucks the head off and throws it in the air. Its pretty scary to watch and no wonder ladies are not permitted inside. Not to mention that people are scared to visit the kaavu on normal days too.

 

It's something which you have to watch to feel it. I have posted a couple of pictures in the album here. I'm afraid I couldn't completly grasp the beauty of the act in camera. In case you are interested in watching it, lemme know, Ill keep you informed about any performance which will occur next. Of course, the act is pretty rare to find.

 

Please go through the pictures and give comments. Help me improvise.