Kerala Tourism to organise live webcast of Theyyam on March 4-5

A press release from Kerala Tourism said the two-day webcast would begin on March 4, streaming live from the annual festival of Kozhunthumpadi Vellor temple near Payyannur in Kannur district. 

 

People across the world will be able to witness the Theyyam performance on their computers and mobile phones from 5 PM to 11 PM (IST) on March 4 and from 9 AM to 4 PM on March 5.

 

The live webcast will be available on Kerala Tourism’s website and also on YouTube.

 

The release said the webcast was important part of the efforts to promote cultural tourism in Kerala, known in tourism campaigns as God’s Own Country. 

 

Kerala is emerging as a major destination on the country’s cultural calendar having organized several high profile events like the ongoing first Kochi-Muziris Biennale.

 

During the webcast, 16 Theyyam performances will be available online from the Velloor Sri Kozhunthum Pati Kshetram. The Tourism Department is putting in place five high definition cameras. Cameras mounted on cranes are expected to give a stage-like experience to  viewers of the webcast.

 

“It is a significant event in the cultural calendar of Indian tourism,” said Kerala Tourism Minister A P Anil Kumar. “Theyyam is a much revered ritual art form that art lovers wait to get a glimpse of. The live webcast from a major temple will give them the opportunity to view the art form as it is performed."

 

“As a state known for its cultural repertoire like Kathakali and several other art forms, Kerala is always looked up to by art lovers. With the live webcast of Theyyam, we want to take Kerala’s cultural strength closer to not only the Malayali diaspora across the globe, but also to the art lovers from the rest of the country and abroad,” said Kerala Tourism Secretary Suman Billa.

 

In the past, Kerala Tourism has organized several cultural events in the state to add an element of intellectual and cultural tourism to its itinerary. The first Hay Literary Festival in India was held in Thiruvananthapuram in 2010. The annual International Theatre Festival in Thrissur is a major cultural event besides the Kerala International Film Festival in Thiruvananthapuram that draws filmmakers from major  countries.

 

“With the technology available today to help people see something happening far from them on their computer or mobile phone screens, we are happy to present this live webcast of Theyyam,” said Kerala Tourism Director Rani George. “It will be a singularly personal experience we are proud to be part of.”

 

The Theyyam performances include ‘Sree Bhootham’, ‘Kuttichatthan’, ‘Vishnumoorthi’, ‘Madayil Chamundi’ and ‘Gulikan’, the release added.

 

NNN