Theyyam Face writing...Mukhathezhuth

Theyyam is an ancient ritualistic dance form, which originated in North Kerala or Malabar, especially in the district of Kannur and Kasaragod. This region was part of the princely state of erstwhile kolathunadu.

Mukhathezhuth (Mukha: Face, Ezhuth: drawing) is the drawing made on the face of the performer, painted with natural colours. It's a perfect combination of ancient to contemporary art.The costumes and facial makeup differs from one form of Theyyam to the other.

The secret behind the colours used for face writing :

For White colour, ground rice in the paste form is used and locally called ARIMAAV, for yellow turmeric is used and called MANJAL, Black colour is prepared by collecting the smoke of the sesame oil lamp and called MAZHI. MANAYOOLA, a type of leaf grinded and converted into a paste form for green colour. CHAAYILIAM for the orange colour. Apart from this, coconut oil and water of tender coconut are used as the base. That is why EZHUTH (the drawing) remains intact without damage in the sweat even after a long performance. There are methods to mix and make colours.

Let's have a look at the different expressions of dancers.