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Theyyam: Ancient South Indian Tradition with Dr. Anil Antony

Theyyam: Ancient South Indian Tradition with Dr. Anil Antony


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Theyyam is a religious tradition unique to the north Malabar region of the Indian state of Kerala. Once a year, local deities possess chosen individuals among socially marginalized groups, turning the class system on its head as they are worshiped wearing towering, colorful costumes and performing wildly athletic fire dances. Learn about this fascinating ancient tradition richly alive in the midst of India’s most diverse and educated state, in the company of two expert presenters.

Theyyam, although considered a Hindu practice today, grows out of an ancient local tradition of folk religion in which nature, village, and ancestor spirits are venerated in small, makeshift shrines. These shrines are often outdoors, and the spirits are represented by common items like plates and seashells. Once a year, the spirits of these shrines possess members of the local community and come to visit. The dress is so elaborate and the athletics so dynamic that in recent years Theyyam has attracted more and more attention from Western tourists. But the tourists miss the most important part: the spirits have come for a social visit. After the athletics, they answer questions and give advice in an almost Shakespearean form of the local language. Theyyam performances are a remarkable mix of the ancient and modern, as ancient spirits speak openly with a modern and well-educated local populace that comes to record the event with iPhones and DSLR cameras.

Led by Dr. Anil Noronha “Noro” Antony, who grew up next to one of these shrines and went on to earn a Ph.D. in biology in the US, this interactive seminar will bring a local, expert perspective to a practice that has been attracting more and more international attention. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of a truly ancient religious and cultural tradition and its place in a fully modern world. Dr. Antony is assisted in this seminar by John Bright, who has visited Kerala with him to observe Theyyam. John has worked on religious history and interfaith dialogue programs associated with the State Department, the American Jewish Committee, and some of the most historic churches in the US.

Dr. Anil “Noro” Noronha Antony is an assistant director of the American Association for Cancer Research, the world's oldest and largest private cancer research organization. He holds a PhD in Cell and Developmental biology and a lifelong interest in the history and culture of south India. Born in the Muslim-majority United Arab Emirates to an Anglo-Indian Catholic family and trained by a Hindu tantric in Kerala, he has direct experience of all three major Keralite religious traditions.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 5 reviews
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M
Michael Harris (Chicago, US)
A Discussion with Depth and Local Insight

This was a fascinating discussion of a tradition I'd barely heard of in passing, but learned enough in this lecture to know that I now need to visit Kerala and understand better how their local folklore traditions promote such collaborative harmony among very different religions and thought traditions. Highly recommended and looking forward to more talks by these two speakers.

M
Mica Ward (Denver, US)

The video and photos were wonderful.

S
Susan Seidel (Germantown, US)
No title

I think both moderators know their subject very well and are articulate. The videos could be edited s bit better so that ‘ads’ for other videos don’t appear on the screen. This is a great and unusual topic which led to other discussions.

L
Lynn Voss (Sarasota, US)
Audio unable to be heard

While I learned about the Theyyam tradition, the program would have been more complete and fulfilling if the audio could have been heard.

The two presenters were knowledgeable.

A
Anonymous (Chevy Chase, US)

Guest did not leave comment

Customer Reviews

Based on 5 reviews
40%
(2)
20%
(1)
0%
(0)
40%
(2)
0%
(0)
M
Michael Harris (Chicago, US)
A Discussion with Depth and Local Insight

This was a fascinating discussion of a tradition I'd barely heard of in passing, but learned enough in this lecture to know that I now need to visit Kerala and understand better how their local folklore traditions promote such collaborative harmony among very different religions and thought traditions. Highly recommended and looking forward to more talks by these two speakers.

M
Mica Ward (Denver, US)

The video and photos were wonderful.

S
Susan Seidel (Germantown, US)
No title

I think both moderators know their subject very well and are articulate. The videos could be edited s bit better so that ‘ads’ for other videos don’t appear on the screen. This is a great and unusual topic which led to other discussions.

L
Lynn Voss (Sarasota, US)
Audio unable to be heard

While I learned about the Theyyam tradition, the program would have been more complete and fulfilling if the audio could have been heard.

The two presenters were knowledgeable.

A
Anonymous (Chevy Chase, US)

Guest did not leave comment