Talachamayam is said to include the hair on the forehead, ears and neck. Kuruthola, Indian Coral wood, oat, silver etc. are the main materials used to make head ornaments. The hairstyles of different Theiyas also vary. A silver headdress is generally worn by all Theiyas. A turban with 21 petals is worn on the forehead.
Chest makeups are the grooming of the neck and chest. ornament consisting of many necklaces, neck ornaments made with decorations on top of layers of coral wood, and ornaments made of palam are important in chest makeups. Apart from this, there are chest makesups with cotton and paintings.
Just like the foot makeups, the hand makeups are placed on top of red paintings over hand. Makeups that extend from the shoulder to fingernails are called hand makeups. Bracelet, Hand cover, Finger cover are main hand makeups. Metals, leather, and cloth are the most common materials used for hand makeups. The pointed nails are…
The feet are painted red and anklet is worn on top of the feet. After wearing the anklet on the leg, it is customary to tie it to the fingers with a strong thread. This is done so that the anklet do not slip off the feet while taking dance steps to the lively rhythms….
Apart from costumes and ornaments, body painting (mekkezhuthu) is also very important in theyyam makeups. body painting is the drawing of pictures on the body with colours in a specially arranged manner for the respective theyyams. Green, yellow, white, red and black are the main colors used for body painting. Colors are made using rice…
Face painting is a beautiful art of painting done on the faces of the theyyam with dark dyes. Face painting is a form of grooming that requires a lot of skill. Red, black, green, white and yellow colors are mainly used for face writing. A brush for painting is made by crushing the rind of…
Dark red and white and black striped fabrics. Finished and painted palm are mainly used for Theyam attire. Some Theyyas wear different shapes and size attire on top of a frame that made up of bambo or areka woods. This also keeps Theyya distinctly different from the normal human form that stands apart from its…
The hair worn on the head is called Mudichamaya. The Theiyachamaya is completed with the Tirumudi which is worn last after all the other groomings. After coming out of the makeup place, Theyam puts on his hair after sitting on a pedestal. Chendamelas get excited when the tirumudi ceremony takes place. Each Theyyam has a…