page_title: Culture of Thalassery
section_title: Theyyam
hierarchical_section_title: Culture of Thalassery / Theyyam
caption_attribution_description: മലയാളം: കുണ്ടാടി ചാമുണ്ഡി തെയ്യം
context_page_description: The British had considerable impact on the culture of Thalassery. As an ancient trade center, the trading and business relations that existed with the Europeans and the Arabs brought people and ideas from many other lands. The Christian missionaries and the educational reforms they brought played an important role in transforming society. The migration to Travancore during Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan's invasion was another factor, resulting in less social distance between upper and lower castes from the 18th to mid-20th centuries. This effect did not reach the Travancore Cochin area, which was not under the Madras Presidency, where inequality was greater.
  In the colonial era Thalassery was the centre of learning in north Kerala. The first Malayalam newspapers, novels and short stories in Malayalam were written there. Earlier, the well known romantic poem in Malayalam, "Veenapoovu" of Kumaran Asan was published from Thalassery. It was the birthplace of the Communist movement in Kerala. Rajya Samacharam, the first Malayalam newspaper, was published from Thalassery.
  The Government of Kerala has included Thalassery in its heritage city project.
context_section_description: Theyyam is a ritual performance art form that depict the cultural heritage of North Malabar, especially of ancient Kolathunad. Theyyam depicts Shiva bhutaganas, Kali and other deities and cultural heroes. The drama is enacted based on ancient stories and the language used is "Tottam pattu", a primitive form of Malayalam. Theyyam shows the Buddhist influence from centuries ago. Theyyam is usually held from October to May every year. The colour of Theyyam is typically red. Velan is described in the Sangam literature 500 CE. It could have been a tribal ritual art which evolved under Buddhism and the Brahminic revival of Hinduism. This art form is addressed as "Kaliyattom" North of Pazhayangadi Puzha, Kannur, as "Theyyam" South of the river and as "Thira" around Thalassery.
caption: Kundadi Chamundi Theyyam
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