31, March 2025

Female Resistance in Theyyam: A Study Based on Thottam Songs

VOLUME-9; ISSUE-3; MAR-2025

Author(s): ANJANA K C

Authors Affiliations:

Independent Researcher, Kannur, Kerala, India

DOIs:10.2017/IJRCS/202503023     |     Paper ID: IJRCS2025030023


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Abstract:    Folk art is an amalgam of various artistic  forms. Every culture has its own art forms which reverberate life itself. It began in the prehistoric times and has developed into different genres with its own unique aspects and features. Among the umpteen number of folk arts, theyyam stands out as one of the sacred, ritualistic and cultural form with its roots deep down in the minds of human psyche. This paper analyses the depiction of female resistance in thottam songs by focusing upon the thottams of four female deities in theyyam, each representing its different forms. They are Thottum Kara Bhagavathy, Muchilottu Bhagavathy, Makkam Bhagavathy and Neeliyar Bhagavathy. Thottam songs are orally presented before the performance of theyyam. Resistance to the opressive customs and cultural set ups are vividly included in thottam songs. This attempt  brings out instances of survival and the moments of transformation depicted in the females of thottam songs.

Folk Art, Theyyam, Thottam songs, female resistance

ANJANA K C (2025); Female Resistance in Theyyam: A Study Based on Thottam Songs, International Journal of Research Culture Society,    ISSN(O): 2456-6683,  Volume – 9,   Issue –  3.,  Pp.168-172.       Available on – https://ijrcs.org/

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