Theyyam is a ritual performance tradition practiced in the northern districts of Kerala, India, in which performers take on the role of specific deities within a structured ceremonial context.

Rituals take place in temple courtyards and sacred groves, where performers undergo extensive preparation, including the application of detailed facial makeup and the assembly of large, layered costumes. Each Theyyam represents a distinct deity or ancestral figure, with associated narratives, gestures, and forms of movement.

During the ceremony, the performer enacts the presence of the deity through dance, gesture and interaction with participants. Accompanied by drumming and chanting, the performance follows established sequences, often extending over several hours. The state of the performer is understood within the ritual as a form of possession or altered consciousness. The performers are typically drawn from communities historically associated with lower caste groups; however within the ritual, this social order is temporarily reconfigured, as they assume a sacred role, with members of the community approaching them to receive blessings and guidance.

This reportage was photographed during multiple Theyyam performances in the Kannur region of northern Kerala, India.