English: Theyyam Is a cultural ritual happening in northern kerala and some parts of Karnataka. This theyyam Is known as Kandanar kelan. A story of a man who was killed in a forest fire later reborn is the main highlight in kelan's story.'Kandanar Kelan was a yesteryear warrior. The story

goes that once Kandanar Kelan was out hunting in the forest when suddenly the forest caught fire Finding no other means of escape he climbed a tree where it was home of two snakes. The fire consumed the tree, the snakes and Kandanar Kelan. Vayanat Kulavan, J another warrior god was passing by the burnt forest when he saw the image of Kandanar Kelan in the ashes With his bow he traced out Kandanar Kelan and gave back his life. The theyyam is an embodiment of the Kandanar Kelan and how he Shows his anger towards the fire for burning him up.The theyyam very prominently has two snakes drawn on his chest that depict the snakes that perished with him in the fire Kandanar Kelan runs through the fire dressed in his silk and wearing metal anklets perhaps the only theyyam to do Hundreds of hunters would go to the nearby forest and capture large numbers of animals. The hunted animals were cut into pieces in front of the Kandanar Kelan Theyyam. This would leap over a huge pyre' . About theyyam (Theyyam is Hindu ritualistic dance forms practiced in northern Kerala and some parts of Karnataka. Theyyam consists of traditions, rituals and customs associated with temples and sacred groves of Malabar. The people of the region consider Theyyam itself as a channel to a god and they thus seek blessings from Theyyam. There are over 40O separate Theyyams, J each with their oWn music J style and choreography Theyyam is mainly performed by males, J except the Devakoothu theyyam; the Devakoothu is the only Theyyam ritual performed by women

(In Kannur districts)