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    ARTICLE

    Theyyam Masks

    Map Academy

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    Part of the costuming of Theyyam performers in Kerala, Theyyam masks combine face painting and masks to represent deities during performances. 

    Once the performer’s face and body are painted in preparation for the performance, they wear the masks and headgear in accordance with the deity being invoked; for instance, the mask for Gulikan, a local form of the Hindu god Shiva, features a trident on the forehead and a monumental headdress. Another important deity, the goddess Edalavuratha Chamundi, is depicted using masks made of wood, painted showing a tongue sticking out of the mouth.

    Man Performing Theyyam; Envato Elements
    Theyyam Performer; Manyu Varma; c. 2018; Unsplash
    Theyyam Mask; Envato Elements

    The masks are usually made of areca palm wood, decorated with palm leaves and painted with bright colours, mainly orange, white, yellow and red. Black is used to highlight the eyes. Strong contrasts are used in the colour schemes to suggest the deities’ forceful personalities.

     
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