Abstract
The renaissance movement led by Vaikundam Swamikal, Sreekumara Gurudevan, Ayyankali, Chattambi Swamikal, Dr. V. V. Velukkutty Arayan, Sahodharan Ayyappan, Swami Vakbhadananda and Swami Anantha Theertha was helping to eradicate untouchability from Kerala. The Temple entry proclamation by the erstwhile king of Travancore late Sri Chitra Thirunal Rama Varma Maharaja on his 24th birthday (12th November 1936) proclaimed that all Hindus by birth or faith, despite their caste will be allowed enter to all temples under the governance of Travancore state. The Temple Madayi Kavu1 is traditionally owned by Kolathiri King of Chirakkal. But it is controlled by the Malabar Devaswam Board, an authorised body of Government of Kerala. The goddess of this temple is the family deity of Travancore royal family. Maari Theyyam is a traditional ritual performance of Madayi Kavu. This ritual is not allowed to be observed in the premises of Madayi Kavu. All other Theyyams are allowed to be performed in the premises of the temple. Maari Theyyam is performed away from the temple premises. It is a kind of untouchability towards Maari Theyyam. Here, we try to examine the pros and cons of the untouchability of the ritual Maari Theyyam.
Highlights
The untouchability in the field of theyyam performance is depicted in the book “Folklore-Adhikaram Adhinive
In 1986, a shrine owned by the Thiyya community3 named “Pattayath Puthiya Bhagavathi Kavu in Pappinisseri in Kannur district had an incident of untouchability
In 1994, Manakkad Raman Peruvannan from Ezhom performed Muthappan Vellattam Theyyam in Nirichan Gopalan’s house, who belonged to Pulaya community5
Summary
The untouchability in the field of theyyam performance is depicted in the book “Folklore-Adhikaram Adhinive-. How to cite this paper: Vijisha, P. and Raja, E.K.G.V. The trustees quarrelled and they brought a Malaya community man to perform Puthiya Bhagavathy Theyyam The trustees of Cheerumba kavu temple which belonged to the Thiyya community didn’t allow Raman Peruvannan to perform Theyyam in the temple. Even though he was the right holder to perform Theyyam there, because he performed Theyyam in a house which belonged to a Pulaya person, he was outcasted. Raman Peruvanna sued the temple Trust in a special court for Other Backward Castes and got a favourable result He didn’t perform in that temple again
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
