About MAUK

M.A.U.K is one of the UK’s largest and most prominent Malayalee community organisations. Its history can be traced back to the student gatherings initiated by Shri V K Krishna Menon in the late 1920s, which laid the foundation for Kerala Samajam in the 1960s. Kerala Samajam was first registered as a friendly society in 1974 and became known as the Malayalee Association of the U.K (M.A.U.K).

Currently, M.A.U.K is one of the UK’s leading Malayalee charitable organizations, with an impressive record of serving the evolving needs of the Malayalee community over many decades. M.A.U.K is dedicated to promoting Kerala’s arts, culture, literature, and heritage in the UK and supporting charitable causes in Kerala and the UK.

M.A.U.K offers a range of services, including the Elders Centre with a lunch club, tailor-made activities for elderly ladies, outings and picnics for elders, befriending service to those housebound. Additionally, music, dance, language, supplementary and personal development classes and workshops are available, as well as cultural and social gatherings and activities that bridge the cultural and generational gap. Educational campaigns are also undertaken to create a fair and equal society and raise awareness of British values. Furthermore, services are conducted to eliminate poverty, especially food shortages in the local community.

For more information about M.A.U.K services and activities, please visit http://www.mauk.org or follow us on social media at @mauklondon.

About Drishyakala

Drishyakala, initiated by MAUK in 1989, has an impressive record of bringing successful dramas to audiences over the years. Read more about MAUK Drishyakala at http://mauk.org/drishyakala

Today MAUK Drishyakala proudly presents its 22nd and latest production – THEYYAM.

About Theyyam

THEYYAM is a popular art form of ritual dance, which originates from North Kerala or the erstwhile Kolathaunadu. It has deep roots in the culture of North Kerala and is performed in Hindu temples. A Theyyam artist dresses in traditional attire and performs with ecstasy and ease in front of an audience. It is a symbol of an ancient tradition that proclaims to the audience the heart-breaking stories of their age-old grief and torment at the hands of their feudal lords and establishments.

Muchilottu Bhagavathi, Maruthiyodan Kurikkal, Kathivannoor Veeran, Maakkapothi, Manayilpothi, Mappila Theyyam, Kaappaad Daivathaar are just some of the Theyyams and Theyyam performances during the numerous festivals in North Kerala.

Today’s drama will be presented in 3 acts. Acts one and two will focus on the stories behind the origins of the two Theyyams – Muchilottu Bhagavathi and Maruthiyodan Kurikkal. Act three tells the story of a group of Theyyam artists.

Act 1: The Origins of Muchilottu Bhagavathi

Muchilottu Bhagavathi was the only daughter of the elder Namboodhiri from the ancient family of Maniyottu Mana. From an early age, she had highly qualified herself in all the Vedas, Sciences, and Literature. One day, the renowned scholar Perinchallor Pandithar sent a note to the Head of the village, Pacha Nambi Thirumeni, challenging anyone from the entire village to compete with him in the art of ‘logical reasoning.’ He had no one else to delegate to this task apart from Muchilottu Bhagavathi, who agreed to take up the challenge from Perinchalloor Pandithar.

In the following verbal combat, Muchilottu Bhagavathi defeated the scholar Perinchalloor many times. However, having lost multiple times to her, Perinchalloor realised that defeating Muchilottu Bhagavathi through ‘reasoning’ was impossible. He employed a devious question to mentally torture and discredit her and thus overpower her. This resulted in Muchilottu Bhagavathi becoming an outcast from her community, and she tragically ended her life by jumping into a fireball.

Legend has it that Muchilottu Bhagavathi finally rose from the fire and transformed herself into the famous Theyyam Muchilottu Bhagavathi.

Act 2: Origin of Maruthiyodan Kurikkal

The story goes that Puthillam Periya Thambran had a young handsome servant named Kunjivirunthan.  Thambran’s niece, Cheriyakutty Thampratti, developed feelings for Kunjivirunthan. However, he did not reciprocate her love, which caused her to hold a grudge against him. She fabricated stories against Kunjivirunthan, which ultimately led to his murder by Thambran’s gangsters. Legend has it that Kunjivirunthan became the Marithiyodan Kurikkal Theyyam, symbolising revenge by killing Puthillam Periya Thambran.

Act 3: Struggles of Theyyam Artists

The final part of the drama showcases the real lives of the artists who have made Theyyam their livelihood. It sheds light on the unkind and self-centred Keezhillathu Thampuran, who wants to be recognised as the promoter of Theyyam art. However, the Thampuran exploits Theyyam art as a means of earning money, by inhumanely taking advantage of the Theyyam artists for his selfish interests. Witness the struggles of the Theyyam artists as they try to overcome the oppression from the feudal powers of Keezhillathu Thampuran and lead a life of dignity and respect.