Tulunad is a region of land situated on the western side of the Western Ghats, on the south side of the Kalyanapuram river flowing through the northern part of Udupi district in present-day Karnataka state and on the north side of Chandragiri river in Kasaragod district in present-day Kerala state. Tulu language is the mother tongue of the people of this region. Geographically, culturally and linguistically, North Kerala has an unbreakable soul connection with Tulu land.
Theyyam is a ritual art of great importance in Tulunad as in North Malabar. Theyyam is called Deyyom in Tulu land. The kavus where theyam is held are called sano (Place) in Tulu. In some places Theyyam perform areas are also called Mada. Kotigas and Garadis (Kalaris) attached to Tharavats are also Theyatta centres.
In Tulunadu, Theiyam is also known as Satyam(Truth). Theyya worship in Tulunadu is Satyopasana. Kumbala Nadi is addressed as Satya Seema. Tuluvars share their sorrows with great devotion in front of the Theyyas. Theyyam will also suggest solutions for the devotees’ sorrows.
Just like in North Malabar, theyam is practiced in Tulu land by the people who belong to the community which was considered inferior in the past.
Theyyam in Tulu Nadu is done in many ways. It has various names like Nemam, Kolam, Pantal Bali, Bandiyatra, Maima, Othekola, Ganda and Mechijalatta. Many Theiyas who came from Tulu Nadu are weaving in North Kerala. The story of Tuluveeran and Vishnu Murthy is related to Tulu land.
Nemam is theyatam which takes place in village or community liquor on fixed dates of the year. The name of the Tuluvas is the game itself in North Kerala. Pantal bali is a pantal sacrifice in the middle of the field. Ganda means Maleri itself in North Malabar. Similarly Othekolam of Tuluvar is Otkolam of Malabar. Jalatta is a Porat-like form of worship in Malabar. Ullalathi Theyattam is known as Mechi. Bundy Yatra is a ceremony of pulling the Teiyat through the fields in the name of Bandy (Vehicle). Maima is called the kolam knot of the theiyat called Jatadhari. Thus the Tulu Theyyams and ceremonies have a close connection with the Theiyams and ceremonies of North Malabar.
There are many Theiyas that are commonly built in North Kerala and Tulu region. Although there are slight differences in name and form, these Theiyas are based on the same concept. Bapuran (Bapirian), Lakeshwari (Rakteshwari), Jumathi (Dhoomavati), Bhairavan, Veerabhadran etc. are popular in North Kerala and Tulu region.
