This Theyyam doll serves a dual purpose - it makes a beautiful doll for your Dasara but also works as a stacking toys for your kids. Stack them up in different ways while explaining to your little ones about this beautiful art form.
Theyyam also called as Theyyattam is derived from the words Deyvam meaning God and Attam meaning dance. In short it means the dance of God. It is a popular Hindu ritual practised in part of Northern Kerala (and also some parts of Karnataka). It involves dance, mime and music.
It is a form of worship involving ancient traditions, customs and rituals that invokes the spirits of ancestors and heroes. Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu is said to be the founder of this form. The indigenous tribal communities were handed over the responsibility to perform the Theyyam.
The very attractive features of theyyatam are its colourful costumes. The make up involves very accurate face painting of different styles and body painting & decoration depending upon the god/goddess,demon, hero, spirits or mythical beings being portrayed.
It typically takes several hours to get a Theyyam artist to get ready for a play. These dolls are no different. The wood is first turned on a lathe and then applied the base glossy colour using the traditional lac-turnery technique. And then the body and face are painted with oil paints. Please note that the price indicated is for a single unit only.
Each piece is made of wrightia tinctoria or hale mara, a safe and naturally seasoned medicinal plant wood. The colours used on the lathe are natural dyes and they have been painted over with safe, non-toxic colours. Please note that the colours may vary a little bit from the one in the pics.
Any perforations, bubbles, etc found on the wood are natural to the hand painting process and should not be considered a defect.
Please note that the price indicated is for a single doll only.
Suitable for kids above 3 years.
DIMENSIONS
11.5 inches height x 4.5 inches wide max dia.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Not to be washed. To clean use a mildly damp cloth. Avoid blows against hard surfaces as the colour may chip. Please note that wood being a natural material reacts differently to atmospheric changes which is beyond our control.