Para Devatha Theyyam (vishnu-moorthy-theyyam)

Malabar region especially kannur and kasargod are blessed with a lot of theyyams and kaav. There are a lot of Vishnumoorthy kaav throughout malabar. But kottappuram is considered as the origin of vishnumoorthy. History of Vishnumoorthy dates back to olden days in an old tharavad called "Kottappuram".

The emperor of Kottappuram was kuruvatt kurupp. There lived a boy servent at his palace called Kannan. He was later known as palanthayi kannan. Palanthayi kannan is believed to be in a cast called Ettillam Karuvan which is a subcaste of Theeya. One day paalanthayi kannan and the daughter of Kurupp were playing together and when Kannan was plucking mangoes from tree, one of them accidently fell on the head of the daughter. Though the incident was accidental, other evil minds twisted the stories and made that intentional.
Kurup who was too short tempered started creating plans to take life of Kannan.

Some kind-hearted people informed Kannan about the upcoming danger and thus kannan fled to a remote village of mangalore. In mangalore, he was given shelter by an old lady who was a devi devotee. Kannan lived there serving the old lady just like her own son.

Time flew past and kannan became a well matured youngster. By then kannan was too eager to meet his parents and relatives and to spend time where he grew up.

The old lady insisted that going back would mean disastrous and harmfull for his life. But fate was never meant to be turned away.

Kannan came back to his native place and kuruvatt kurupp came to know about this.

Unaware of the upcoming crime and evil, Kannan descented into a pond to wash his face and legs. Kurupp, hidden, secretly attacked Kannan and killed him with a sword.

The blade was abondoned in the pond. It came out from the water and started to juggle above the pond water.
Consequently there were disasters happening in Kurupp's family. His cattles and other earnings were lost. Family members suffered from ill health and mental disorders.

Jyothishi's were brought to his home and found that it was because he killed Kannan. When kurupp begged for a solution, jyothishi's said that there was presence of Narasimhamoorthy and it was to be made happy.

Narasimhamoorthy insisted that its required to devote Kannan with Silver and devote Narasimha's Roopam with Gold. It was asked to get in touch with devotee Palayi Krishnan Parappan who was the perumalayan during that time. Parappan was totally astonished by this request and was praying to Narasimha for showing him how Vishnu moorthy need to be performed and the poems and figures. Parappan started preparing for getting himself ready for the event. He took religious observance and waited eagerly for the enlightment. One night Narasimha showed his precense in dream and suggested a costume and decorations for vishnu moorthy. But parappan mentioned that those caricature was beyond his ability. Narasimha showed him subsequent other alternative form and parappan selected the one he could perform. The current vishnumoorthy costume and decoration is considered to be selected by Palayi parappan.
Thus Vishnumoorthy Theyyam was first performed for the well being of Kurupp and Since then, vishnu moorthy was considered to be the God of Karuvan caste and performed in almost all the vishnumoorthy kaav and muchilott kaav. In muchilott kaav, vishnu moorthy is assigned a real high place at the right side of kaav. Vishnumoorthy theyyam performs Narasimha moorthy's avatharam lakshyam and the assasination of hiranyakasyapu. The performance of theyyam, clearly visualise these dance steps. After hiranyakasyapu assassination, its also shown in real beauty, gracing of prahladan and his devotee mother. The flower shower by devas are also pictured in the performance of Vishnumoorthy theyyam.

Theyyam (theyyattam) is a ritual dance form popular in northern Kerala. Theyyam is normally performed in temples/Kavu/kOOttam mostly in Kannore and Kasrgode districts in few places in Kozhikode district. The name theyyam is derived from the malayalam name for God (daivam). During the ritual the artist is considered as God and they complain ask for blessings as if they are talking to God.

In the whole lot of theyyams and thiras mother godess theyyams are the most prominent and of utmost importance. Bhagavathy, Kaali and Chamundi all come under Mother(Godess) theyyam. The most important theyyam among the whole lot of mother theyyam is "Thayi para Devatha". This theyyam is also known by the name "Kola Swaroopa Thingal Thaai". Kolathiri dynasty offered a place in thiruvarkaad, also known as maadayi kaav and thus thayi para devatha was known by the name Maadai Kaavil Achi. This theyyam is considered as eradicator of all diseases and difficulties.

this theyyam also know as vishnu moorthy theyyam