Art lovers across the world will be able to witness Theyyam performances on their computers and mobile phones with the spectacular ritual art form going online.
The first live webcast of the major performing art of Malabar is being organised by Kerala Tourism as part of promoting cultural tourism. The two-day webcast will begin on Monday, streaming live from the annual festival of Kozhunthumpadi Vellor Temple, near Payyannur, in Kannur district.
Theyyam performance can be watched on computers and mobile phones from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on March 4 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 5. The live webcast will be available on Kerala Tourism’s website (www.keralatourism.org) and on YouTube.
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During the webcast, 16 Theyyam performances will be available online from the Velloor Sri Kozhunthumpadi temple. The webcast will be a high quality event with Kerala Tourism putting in place five high-definition cameras. Cameras mounted on cranes are expected to give a stage-like experience to viewers.
“It is a significant event on the cultural calendar of tourism,” said Tourism Minister A. P. Anil Kumar. “Theyyam is a much-revered ritual art form. The live webcast will give art lovers the opportunity to view the art form as it is performed,” he added.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd is the telecom partner of the webcast. With the live webcast, we want to take Kerala’s cultural strength closer to not only the Malayali diaspora across the globe, but also to the art lovers from the rest of the country and abroad,” said Secretary, Tourism, Suman Billa.
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“We are happy to present this live webcast using the latest technology. It will be a singularly personal experience that we are proud to be part of,” said Rani George, Director, Tourism. The Theyyam performances include ‘Sree Bhootham,’ ‘Kuttichathan,’ ‘Vishnumoorthi,’ ‘Madayil Chamundi,’ and ‘Gulikan’.