Kuttichathan

Details of theyyam

Once upon a time, Lord Shiva and Parvati took on different names and had two children, Karuval and Kuttichathan. Kuttichathan, born with special features like a black body and three eyes, was given to a family who couldn't have kids. He went to a teacher for learning, but Kuttichathan didn't want to follow the usual rules. Because he was really smart, the teacher couldn't answer his questions. Angry and upset, the teacher scolded and hit Kuttichathan, so he decided to leave. When Kuttichathan asked for food, the family he lived with refused to give him any. In frustration, he killed a bull and drank its blood. This made the family very angry, and they ended up killing Kuttichathan. But he came back to life. The family, still upset, invited many people and brutally killed Kuttichathan again, cutting his body into pieces and burning them. After this, many Kuttichathans were born, and they set fire to the family's house and other nearby homes. To honor the memory of Kuttichathan, the oppressed people decided to perform a special ritual called Theyyam. In this ritual, the performer wears a long rectangular cloth around the waist and a headgear with two wooden pieces on each cheek. They also cover their eyes with a cap and have peacock-like extensions on their backs. The main color is red, making the Theyyam unique and special. This is the story behind Kuttichathan Theyyam.