Theyyam (/t̪eːjjəm/; romanised: teyyam) is a Hindu religious ritual practiced in northern Kerala and some parts of Karnataka.

Theyyam consists of traditions, rituals and customs associated with temples and sacred groves of Malabar.

A similar custom known as Bhuta Kola is followed in the Tulunadu region of neighbouring Karnataka.

[3] Theyyam is typically performed by people from castes and tribes like Pulayar, Vannan, Malayan, Anhoottan, Munnoottan, Mavilan, Koppalan, Velan, Chingathan, Kalanaadi, Paravan, Nalikeyavar, etc.

In Kasaragod and Kannur districts, this ritual art is mainly performed in the kavus (temples) or ancestral houses of Thiyyar, Nambiar, Vaniyar, and Maniyani communities.

"There can be no doubt", say Bridget and Raymond Alchin, "that a very large part of this modern folk religion is extremely ancient and contains traits which originated during the earliest periods of Neolithic, Chalcolithic settlement and expression.

It has been observed that a vast majority of the Theyyam deities have their origin from Thiyya and Nair castes.

[8] According to K. K. N. Kurup, it can be said that all the prominent characteristics of primitive, tribal, religious worship had widened the stream of Theyyam, where "even the followers of Islam are associated with the cult in its functional aspect"[9] and made it a deep-rooted folk religion of millions.

Different branches of mainstream Hindu religion such as Shaktism, Vaishnavism and Shaivism now dominate Theyyam.

In such centres, separate places outside the precincts of the shrine are selected for blood offerings and for the preparation of the traditional Kalam (square made for this sacrifice occasion) known as Vadakkan Vathil.

[10] On account of the late revival of the Vaishnavism movement in Kerala, it does not have a deep impact on Theyyam .

Vaishnavism was very popular in the Tuluva region in the 13th century when it came under the rule of Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala dynasty.

[11] Out of devotion, ruling clans established their own shrines and Kavus for Theyyam deities where non-sattvic rituals and customs are observed.

The goddesses like Rakteshwari, Chamundi, Someshwari, Kurathi, and the gods like Vishnumoorthi are propitiated in these household shrines.

This fusion in the later stage is an indication of the gradual introduction of civilization into Southern India with increasing Aryan influence and assimilation of local cultures into the large Vedic religion.

The performance signifies the transitional inversion, reversal, and elevation of status denoting the anti-structural homogeneity of Theyyam.

In the background, folk musical instruments like chenda, tudi, kuzhal and veekni are played in a certain rhythm.

A performance is a combination of playing of musical instruments, vocal recitations, dance, and peculiar makeup (usually predominantly orange) and costumes.

[16][15] Muchilot Bhagavathi is a virgin goddess and the tutelary deity of the Vaniyas of North Malabar.

According to local legend, she was a Brahmin woman born in the mana called Maniyottu in the village of Peringellur, near Taliparamba[17] and elevated to the status of a deity.

This theyyam narrates and performs the story of Hiranyakashipu's death by Vishnu in his avatar of Narasimha.

The Padikutti Amma Theyyam is performed in the Palaprath Temple in Kodallur near Parassini Kadavu in the Meenam (a Malayalam month).

It is believed that Kalakattachan, angry on him being a threat to his respect in the society, tore Kuttichathan into 396 pieces.

A Theyyam museum is proposed to be built at Chanthappura in Kalliassery assembly constituency of Kannur district in 2019.