The Kerala Legislative Assembly will host Theyyam performances within its precincts as part of the fourth International Book Festival, transforming the parliamentary complex into a cultural venue for a week. The festival runs from 7 to 13 January 2026, while the Theyyam presentations are scheduled for the evenings of 8 to 12 January, organisers said.
Theyyam in Thiruvananthapuram attracts southern audiences
Theyyam, a ritual art form rooted in the northern districts of Kannur, Kasaragod and parts of Kozhikode, will be brought to the state capital to give southern audiences rare access to its dramatic performances. The art combines ritual, dance, music and storytelling and is traditionally performed in village temples and sacred groves known as kavus.
The segment has been organised by the Mahe Theyyam Heritage Committee under the leadership of Padma Shri recipient E.P. Narayanan. Culture Minister Saji Cherian will inaugurate the Theyyam series at 6pm on 8 January in the presence of Speaker A.N. Shamseer, officials confirmed.
Each evening will present a different form, offering visitors a sequence of distinct characters and narratives. Scheduled presentations include Pookkuttichathan Thira, Muthappan Vellattam, Padaveeran Theyyam, Kuttichathan Thira, Agnikandakarnnan Theyyam, Vasoorimala Bhagavathi Thira and Pottan Theyyam. On 11 January, a demonstration of Kalaripayattu, the south Indian martial art, will precede that night’s performance.
Organisers have said staging Theyyam at the Assembly complex is intended to widen the art’s visibility and encourage public engagement beyond its customary rural settings. By situating performances in a central, civic location, the festival aims to draw book lovers, art enthusiasts and visitors from across the state.
Theyyam’s visual and acoustic impact — vivid costumes, elaborate face painting and a percussion-led musical backdrop — communicates stories of local deities, ancestral spirits and social values. For many attendees, the Assembly festival offers the chance to witness these cultural expressions without travelling to the northern districts where they are traditionally performed.
“The book festival is not confined to literature alone,” the release said. “It is designed to celebrate Kerala’s living cultural heritage.” The inclusion of Theyyam, alongside discussions, exhibitions and literary events, reflects that broader cultural brief.
Local tourism stakeholders expect the performances to attract additional visitors to Thiruvananthapuram during the festival week. Beyond immediate attendance, the Assembly setting may encourage media coverage and further public interest in the region’s ritual arts.
Details on timing and seating for the Theyyam presentations will be available from the festival organisers. Attendees are advised to arrive early for evening shows to secure viewing positions, and to observe local norms at a performance that retains its ritual significance even in an urban venue.
Key Takeaways:
- Theyyam in Thiruvananthapuram will be staged at the Kerala Legislative Assembly International Book Festival from 8–12 January 2026.
- Performances by Mahe Theyyam Heritage Committee, led by Padma Shri E.P. Narayanan, bring north Kerala ritual forms to the capital.
- Evening shows include Pookkuttichathan Thira, Muthappan Vellattam and Padaveeran Theyyam; a Kalaripayattu demonstration will precede the 11 January performance.
- Organisers aim to broaden public engagement and showcase Kerala’s cultural heritage without travel to the north.
