This Fading Onam Tradition In Kerala Still Survives In The Villages

Onam, Kerala’s annual harvest festival, marks the mythical return of King Mahabali—a ruler so beloved that the gods had to send him away. The ten-day celebration blends ritual and revelry: floral decorations, boat races, elaborate vegetarian feasts, and traditional art forms. Among these traditions is Theyyam, a ritual performance from North Kerala where the performer becomes a deity through dance, music and costume. Typically staged in temple courtyards, Theyyam is both spiritual offering and community spectacle. Onathaaru is a rare variation of Theyyam performed during Onam.

A Visiting Deity

Onathaaru appears in parts of northern Kerala, far from the tourist maps and main festival routes, at the threshold, rather than in temple courtyards. It is a ritual handed down through generations, performed by children in village lanes, and sustained by the memory of a time when deities arrived not on stage, but at the doorstep. It shares many elements with mainstream Theyyam, but differs in scale, setting, and symbolism.

Here, the performer is not an adult male in a temple courtyard, but by young boys from the Vannar community going house to house in the role of a deity or king. Performed by boys from the Vannar community, Onathaaru makes its rounds during the days leading up to Onam, varying slightly by region. The performance is fleeting, domestic and deliberately understated—a travelling ritual that marks the arrival of Onam in the villages of northern Kerala.

Regional Variations

This travelling ritual takes place in the northern districts of Kannur and Kasaragod, where Onathaaru is seen as a symbolic messenger of Onam. The form it takes can vary: in places like Kanhangad and Neeleswaram, the figure represents Vishnu or a child-like Krishna; elsewhere, it is Mahabali himself who arrives, particularly on the final festival days of Uthradam and Thiruvonam.

Costume, Music, And Movement

The rituals generally take place on Uthradam and Thiruvonam—the final two days of Onam. The boys arrive dressed in elaborate costume, their faces adorned with painted markings, wearing bangles that chime as they move and a crown that signals their transformed role. As they dance in circles around the pookkalam—the floral carpet laid at the threshold—percussionists play the Onavillu and Ottachenda, traditional instruments that guide the rhythm of the performance. The songs they sing, known as Onapattu and Mavelipattu, recount the story of Mahabali—his reign, his exile, and his annual return. The performance unfolds without fanfare. Yet in these quiet moments, as music and movement meet at the doorstep, the spirit of Onam is marked in its most intimate form.

About Theyyam

Theyyam is a ritual art form rooted in local folklore and ancestor worship, unique to the North Malabar region of Kerala, particularly in the districts between Kasaragod and Vadakara — often referred to as the ‘Theyyam belt’. It blends dance, music, and mime to invoke deities, spirits, and ancestral figures. The performers, known as Kolams, undergo elaborate transformations with painted faces, towering headdresses, and vibrant costumes. During the performance, they are believed to become possessed by the deity they represent, offering blessings and counsel to the community.

Many temples in Kerala host annual Theyyam festivals, often staged in open courtyards without formal seating or stages. There is no separation between art and ritual—the performance must go on, regardless of who is watching. While deeply spiritual for local communities, Theyyam’s theatrical intensity and visual spectacle can be compelling even to outsiders unfamiliar with its religious or cultural significance.

Theyyam encompasses numerous forms, classified by the deities they represent—ranging from major gods like Vishnumoorthi and goddesses such as Chamundi, to folk heroes like Muthappan and Kathivanoor Veeran. It is also categorised by purpose, including animal or bird Theyyams embodying nature, spirit Theyyams that ward off evil, and protective Theyyams promoting community welfare. With hundreds of distinct variations, each Theyyam features unique costumes, stories, and performance styles reflecting local traditions.

FAQs

1. What Is Onathaaru?

A sacred folk tradition: Onathaaru is a traditional theyyam performance specifically tied to the Onam festival.

A herald of Onam: It is performed to announce the coming of Onam in the northern parts of Kerala.

A symbolic figure: The character is a representation of Mahabali, the mythical king whose homecoming is celebrated during Onam.

A family ritual: In some areas, the Onathaaru performs at homes from the first day of Onam (Atham) until Thiruvonam.

2. Who Performs Onathaaru?

Vanna tribe boys: The role is traditionally enacted by young boys belonging to the Vanna community.

Generational practice: The ritual is a deeply rooted tradition passed down through generations within the community.

3. Where is Onathaaru performed?

Kannur and Kasaragod districts: Onathaaru is primarily performed in the rural villages of these districts in Kerala.

Temple shrine first: The ritual typically begins at a temple shrine (kavu) before moving to households.

4. Why is Onathaaru considered a dying art form?

The practice has declined due to modernisation, lack of patronage, and younger generations moving away from ritual art traditions.

5. How does Onathaaru differ from other Theyyam performances?

Unlike mainstream Theyyam rituals held in temples year-round, Onathaaru is linked specifically to Onam celebrations and carries symbolic agricultural and seasonal themes.

6. Can travellers witness Onathaaru today?

Yes, though rare, Onathaaru is still performed in select villages in North Kerala during Onam. Heritage tourism initiatives are working to revive it.

7. What is the cultural significance of Onathaaru?

It reflects Kerala’s agrarian roots, honouring deities connected with prosperity and harvest during Onam.

8. Are there any revival efforts for Onathaaru?

Yes, cultural preservationists, folklore academies, and local communities are working to document and encourage the performance of Onathaaru.