Fire
Fire is one of the major elements in Pottan Theyyam's performance. As part of the Agnipravesham, the Theyyam foolishly throws himself upon the burning pyre while performing. The Pottan Theyyam who is lying erect on the fire, yells and laughs as he mocks society's unhealthy habits. The Theyyam also enjoy playing jokes on each other in front of viewers, which adds a fun factor.

The Theyyam's declaration of Enikku Kulirunne which translates to "I am shivering with coldness," while lying on the scorching pyre during the performance is a huge highlight. In truth, The Theyyam is viewed as a social/spiritual satire that is typical of Lord Shiva's nature. It re-enacts in ceremonial expressions the lives of those persons who had sacrificed their lives for a societal cause. It is said that the dance of the Pottan Theyyam will remove problems and provide prosperity and good health. All worship Pottan Theyyam because he is beyond caste and religion.

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Pottan theyyam throwing himself on the burning pyre (Image source)


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Holy Weapon
The holy weapon of Pottan Theyyam is another major element in this performance. What the Theyyam do first is to make obeisance to the holy weapon and to pray for it.

Pottan Theyyam’s weapon is a wooden stick which is adorned with tender palm leaves on one end and he uses the tool while talking to the audience and while performing. He uses the same for blessing the devotees while the performance goes on.

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Face Mask
Pottan Theyyam wears three kinds of masks which depict three forms of the Theyyam, which are Nandikeshan, Shivan and Parvathi. The mask is worn by the same performer one after the other to show different forms. And the performances in these different forms also differ.

The mask is an abstract comedic face created for this Theyyam which has a sarcastic persona that makes fun of people's problematic caste and religious beliefs.

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