Theyyacharithram
Door-to-door Theiyams (Badochatha Murthys):
In the past, it was customary to tie many Theiyas to remove various ailments affecting pregnant women.
Those Theiyas are 'Karukalaki, Pillateeni, Kallurutti, Udalvaratti'. Uchatanakolams are 'Kurunthinipoti, Bala Gandharvan, Maranagulikan and Maranapottan'. These murtis have unique dances and costumes. Among these are 'Adi, Vedan, Kalan, Maruta and Galinchan'. These are also called Karkataka Theiyas.
Aadi Vedan Theiyams (Crayfish Theiyams):
The first theiyam that any koala wears is that of a house-to-house theiyam. Eight and ten-year-old children come to swing from house to house in the month of Karkidakamasa, when the rains fall incessantly, and in the month of Chingamasa, when the flowers smile. 'Karkatothi Theiyath' is performed by the Vannan community in the concept of Parvati as 'Aadi'. On the twenty-eighth day of Cancer, this child Theyam comes from house to house to ward off plagues. In Kasargod district, instead of a goat, a child named 'Maruta' is tied to the Theiyat in the same concept.
But it is the Malays who come with Sivamurti singing Kiratarjuneem katha in the concept of 'Vedan'. They come on Uthratam Thiruvonam days in the month of Singham. Theyam, a child called Onathar in the imagination of Onathappan, comes holding a small bell and an Ona bow. The hunter comes down wearing a cowl, a small crown, shepherd's ornaments and a chailya teppan on his face. Chendakkaran sings the Kiratharjuniyya story in which Arjuna performs penance in a storm to attain the divine power called Pashupatam and Parameswaran comes to test him in the guise of a hunter. In Kannur district, 'Kalan Kolam' is tied for the same purpose.
These children come out wearing chailya kuri on their face, wearing chukapu and wearing a small crown. In the courtyard of the house, the child dances in a circle, shaking the bell to the beat of his father's chendakol. These two children Theiyams are shown with devotion by the hearts of the village. With the rice, paddy and money they get in this way, they can manage their lives to some extent during the golden months.
By the end of the hunting season, which started in the month of Libra, most of the hunters would be starving. Apart from clan work, tailoring, medicine, witchcraft, polishing ornaments, making new Theiyathams, reciting Theyatthalams and Kalashas, memorizing the rituals of each Theyatlam and the rulings of the Kavas are done during this time.
Among these, the Vannans excel in pediatrics, home medicine and tailoring. They sew traditional umbrellas and prepare the bed by filling the bed linen in big houses. They perform the chanting ritual called Kentron Patt, the magic ritual of Akanal Pargaral and the mantra rituals of reading Pull Nok Ola that affects children and pregnant women. Kalampaat is performed by them for the good fortune of children and Kurunthini song is performed for Naga Devata Priti. Thus, they overcome the golden months gracefully. Their Gurus are Manakkad Gurus of Karivellur. Their main idol is Muthappan.
But because they were born in a mountain, the gurus of the Malayans, known as Malayars, are Pala Parappen of Pala near Nileswaram. They are traditional witchcraft holders. They are known for playing wind instruments and are equally famous for singing. Their women are nameless Vayattati. Kothamuriyatam is what they listen to. These dancers consist of a Kothamuri Theiya, two or three paniyans, chendas and singers dressed in the artificial skin of a cow. Vishnumurthy is their main deity of worship.
To watch the video of the above Theiyas commonly known as Karkitaka Theiyas: