One of the most striking features of the cultural landscape of North Malabar is Theyyam, a colourful ancient ritual art form. This art form took centre stage recently in ‘Theepottan,' Sangeetha Nataka Akademi's award winning play written and directed by Jayan Thirumana and produced by Sankeerthana, Kozhikode.
‘Theepottan' narrates the story of Theepottan, one of the hundreds of Theyyams that is performed every year in Kannur and Kasaragod. Although, the play depends on the legend associated to the birth of Theepottan Theyyam, the playwright has given it a contemporary interpretation as well; he also hits hard at the intolerance of the Kerala society, politically and religiously. One of the central themes of the play is the fight against oppression.
Communal unrest
‘Theepottan' opens with a familiar scene of political and communal unrest in Kannur. A Christian youth is murdered and the accused is Ananthan, a Hindu. Ananthan and his family fear for their lives when he is set to return home after serving his time in prison. However, the family finds an unexpected protector – the dead man's wife. “I am here to protect you from the bigots who want your blood,” she says. She says she knows that it was not Ananthan who had committed the crime. Ananthan reveals he was made a pawn by political leaders.
Ananthan belongs to a family that has been performing Theepottan Theyyam for generations. And the play now travels back in time – to tell the tale of Alankaran, who went on to become the legend of Theepottan.
Alankaran rebels against the oppression of his people. He raises his voice against the heinous customs of the day. Alankaran also dares to question Adi Shankara, who is on his way to Sarvajnapitha. He reminds the scholarly saint that they both enjoy similar rights, regardless of the difference in class. Like most revolutionaries, Alanakaran has to give up his life for his beliefs. But he lives through the Theepottan Theyyam.
Besides the oppression of Alankaran's people, ‘Theeppottan' also brings into focus the struggles Adi Shankara had to go through to enlighten his own community. The play is indeed a reminder of the dark ages that Kerala has had to go through. Dasan Kannapuram gives a fine performance as Alankaran. He is well supported by a talented cast comprising Usha Chandrababu, Baburaj Arakkilad, Jayan Moorad, Satheesan Kotheri, Ammini Ernest and Bindu Jayan.
The play could have done away with some of the melodrama though. ‘Theepottan' won four awards including the one for best play at the recent Sangeetha Nataka Akademi awards. The play has also proved popular with the masses, according to director Jayan Thirumana. “We have already performed it on 270 stages and the response from the audiences has been overwhelming,” he says.
He adds the play is relevant even today, centuries after Alankaran's meeting with Adi Shankara. “Kerala hasn't changed much. There is so much intolerance, political and religious. We should realise that no one is superior to anyone else,” he says. ‘Theepottan' was presented at Kozhikode by Bankmen's Club.
