‘You Are Not Different’: Kerala Video Of Theyyam Artiste Comforting Muslim Woman Is Winning Hearts

The video running into two minutes and 51 seconds is being shared widely as people are praising the theyyam artiste for not discriminating between people during the ritualistic performance.    

Screengrab from the viral video of a theyyam artiste appearing as Muthappan deity comforting a Muslim woman in Kasaragod

New Delhi: A video has been doing the rounds of WhatsApp groups in Kerala over the last couple of days, showing how a theyyam performer comforts a hijab-wearing Muslim woman who appears to be going through some distress in life.

The video running into two minutes and 51 seconds has also been posted on Facebook and is being shared widely as people are praising the artiste for not discriminating between people on the basis of religion.    

Theyyam, specific to Kerala, is a ritualistic art form comprising dance, mime and music. A theyyam performance depicts different stories through worship of gods and goddesses, local spirits, tribal deities and characters from ancient fables. Each theyyam artist, who can be seen wearing heavy make-up and flamboyant costumes, represents a hero or god with great powers. And the performers are usually from lower castes and communities, such as the Malayan, Velan, Vannan and Peruvannan.  

The viral video, said to have been captured on a cellphone in north Kerala’s Kasaragod district on February 15, shows a Muthappan theyyam performer wiping away tears of a Muslim woman and comforting her. He is seen holding her hand and promising her that her sufferings will go.

Muthappan is the deity personified by both Vishnu and Shiva, according to local customs. He is said to be a hunter god who is worshiped by the poorest of people. Unlike most Kerala temples, the Parassinikadavu Muthappan temple in Kannur does not prohibit the entry of non-Hindus.

In the viral video, the theyyam artiste appearing as Muthappan can be seen telling the Muslim woman in Malayalam: “Come here, you are not any different…What do you want to tell Muthappan? Do you have problems in life?” 

The woman is then seen breaking down, after telling ‘Muthappan’ about her hardships. “Don’t cry…You have not committed any mistakes... You have always wanted everyone, even your enemies, to be happy,” the artiste tells her, and adds: “For me, mosque and temple are not different... Do you find any difference between your Nabi, the Mahadevan or the Muthappan?” 

‘Muthappan’ then blesses the unidentified woman.

Take a look at the video that has garnered thousands of shares, likes and comments on Facebook. 

‘Muthappan Is A Symbol Of Religious Harmony’

Sani Peruvannan, the theyyam artiste, told The Indian Express that his phone hasn’t stopped ringing since people started sharing the video.

According to the report, the 37-year-old belongs to the Scheduled Caste Vannan community. His father is a theyyam artiste too, and their community has traditional rights to perform the Muthappan theyyam. 

Before becoming a full-time theyyam performer, Peruvannan worked as a graphic designer and also taught children drawing in a school, the report said.

“While I was speaking to the Muslim woman, I didn’t know someone was making a video or that it was being shared,” he was quoted as saying. Peruvannan added that a lot of people had called him after watching the video, and that it made him very happy.

He said it is not commonly seen that a Muslim person is approaching a theyyam, but added that Muthappan “is a symbol of religious harmony” in Kerala.