When God dances through fire - Kandanar Kelan Theyyam

Hey, writing this one from Hilli ( I bet you don't know where on earth this place is ). It's a really small village near Maharashtra - Karnataka border, my dad's place.

So this is my yearly visit.

Anyways, I am writing this one to tell you about a theyyam named Kandanar Kelan. What are theyyam(s) you say? Basically they are religious, traditional practices carried out in the northern parts of Kerala. People believe that the person performing the practice is a channel to God or literally God and seek blessings from him. Will write more about the ceremonies in detail later; for now let's start the story behind the famous "Fire Theyyam"

Rice paste with turmeric being applied before the theyyam

A lady named Meledath Chakki Amma lived in Ramanthali near Payyannur who found a baby boy in a nearby forest. She decided to raise him and then named him Kelan. Now Kelan turned out to be a smart and dedicated young man who helped Chakki Amma in flourishing their farm lands. He did the job so splendidly well that she thought why not send him to the lands near Wayanad (under provinces Mukkuttikadu, Moovarkunnu, Nallathenga, Karimbanakkadu) to do the same. Hearing about Chakki Amma's wish Kelan set out to Wayanad right away with some tools, bow-arrow and toddy which would last him all along the journey.

As he reached the lands a bit intoxicated, he started clearing the bushes one by one and cleared all four forests except for one gooseberry tree in the fourth one. Then, he started

burning the forests one by one. Jumping though the fire in and out he started enjoying it and continued doing so as he was entertained. In the same intoxicated state he lit up the fourth jungle and seeing all this the fire and wind gods got angry and the flames were now higher than he could even think of. Trapped inside the fire he now started climbing the gooseberry tree to save himself. But on that tree lived two snakes named Kali and Karali. Seeing the fire rise to such great heights the snakes too got scared and climbed onto Kelan's chest and bit him. Thus all of them fell into the fire and died.

Fire lit up with different tree leaves to indicate four forests

A warrior god named Wayanattu Kulavan was passing by the burnt forest and saw Kelan's image in the ashes and with his bow traced his outline thus giving him a his life back. Also Wayanattu Kulavan gave him the name 'Kandanar' Kelan with a seat besides him.

Theyyam jumping through fire, a sight one cannot forget ever!

Such is the myth, the story behind the theyyam. And hence in this theyyam we see the angst and anger shown towards the fire. The theyyam with the two snakes drawn on his body, jumps through the fire several times which is definitely a sight to watch!

You can see my latest post on it here https://www.instagram.com/p/C5bL46yPrTt/?img_index=1

Theyyam pictures!

Baaki sab thik? I hope so. Thanks for reading idhartak, means a lot. Chalo have a good day :) and let me know if you liked the blog!

PS : I have researched the story from various sources on the internet and thus wrote it in my own language. There are slightly varying stories where rarely Kelan is referred as being a warrior himself. But overall this is what I think is the story. Also if there are some spelling mistakes let me know.