Jogi Theyyam of Kasargod during Onam season

Jogi Theyyam is a divine ritual character who goes around villages to bless the households during the month of Chingam (mid -August to mid- September). As a Theyyam of Tulu origin, Jogi Theyyam is practiced primarily in the border areas of Kasaragod, particularly around Badiyadukka and Kumbla. Traditionally, the right to perform Jogi Theyyam belongs to the Nalkathaya (also known as Koppalar) community, whose mother tongue is Tulu.  It is usually performed by children as it involves fewer rituals compared to other Theyyams (Bhuthakola).

One of the few practitioners who continue this tradition is Choma, also known as Sajeeva, from Goliyadka, about 4 km from Badiyadukka (Puthur) in Kasaragod district. This year too, Sajeeva along with his son Jagadish guided children from their family as Jogi Theyyam to visit the neighborhood homes.

Unlike other Theyyams, Jogi Theyyam does not have a Thottam (folk songs narrating the story of the deity). When the Theyyam visits each home, people ask where it comes from, and the reply- always in Tulu- is that it descends from the hill ranges (of Coorg in Karnataka). According to Sajeeva, Jogi Theyyam is associated with Lord Shiva and is believed to resemble the ritual of Keleepathram, practiced among the Yogi (Jogi in Tulu/ Kannada language) community in Kasaragod and Mangaluru. In Keleepathram, a saint-like figure moves from house to house, collecting food or money, symbolically recalling Lord Shiva in the form of Bhairavan.

Though children perform Jogi Theyyam, they are always accompanied by an adult male- often a close relative- as percussionist, who helps to guide the ritual. In recent years, Jogi Theyyam is seen only for two or three days, adjusted according to school holidays. This year, two children-Jishaan G (7yr), Sajeeva’s grandson, and Adithya G (12yr), his nephew- took on the role, covering two separate routes in the village. Sajeeva went with Adithya and Sajeeva’s son Jagadish accompanied his son Jishaan. 

The costume and makeup of Jogi Theyyam are simple yet striking. The face is painted in an elegant blue tone, while the body is marked with sacred ash. The attire includes a glittering skirt, ornaments such as Chowkli, Thalamani, Tharatha Poov, Kireedam/Patta, Kazhuthattu (necklace), and Uthiripundaya (palm-leaf hair). Most ornaments are made of wood, decorated with golden foil and beads. Bronze anklets (Gajje) and a long staff complete the appearance.

Accompanied by the rhythmic beats of the small drum called Dol, the Theyyam spins gracefully in short performances at each home. Traditionally, households offered paddy/rice, turmeric, tamarind, salt, chilies, coconut and charcoal. Nowadays, people usually give money, sometimes along with a coconut.

Another Theyyam of the same community is Kalinjha, performed during the month of Karkkidakam (the month prior to Chingam). As per the traditional socio-cultural structure, these two Theyyams gave their community an opportunity to sustain their livelihood during monsoon.  Today, however, these rituals are performed more to preserve cultural heritage than as a livelihood.