Pottan Theyyam: Lesson from an Idiot

Pottan Theyyam - image by Sunil Paniker

Gods as well as evil spirits can assume various shapes and identities. Theyyam in northern Kerala is one such divine incarnation. The Westerners may like to think of Theyyam as an oracle. Strictly speaking, Theyyam is a dance performed by Kerala’s version of the oracle. A particular Theyyam may embody a god or goddess or any other spirit who commands devotion from believers.

Religion, art, music, and dance mingle seamlessly in Theyyam. The performance is a ritual meant to appease a concerned god or spirit. At the same time, the Theyyam is an embodiment of the god or spirit and its pronouncements are considered divine decrees. Devotees eagerly seek their counsel to resolve their troubles and obtain divine favours.

Recently I read about one particular Theyyam known as Pottan or Idiot. I found it quite amusing as well as enlightening. Let me bring Pottan (Idiot) Theyyam here.

One day Lord Shiva decided to teach humility to Adi Shankara, the great ascetic philosopher of 8^th century CE. Shiva appeared on Shankara’s path in the disguise of an idiot who was also carrying a pot of toddy (mild alcoholic drink tapped from palm trees). Assuming that the idiot was low caste, Shankara asked him to stay far without polluting the upper caste Shankara. The low caste people were expected to keep certain fixed distances from the upper castes, the distance increasing in direct proportion to the ‘lowness’ of one’s caste: the lower the caste the greater the distance.

The Idiot didn’t budge, however. “Arrogance doesn’t befit a learned man like you,” he told the philosopher.

Shankara was infuriated. “Should I, a wise Brahmin, take lessons in humility from an untouchable like you?”

“What if the untouchable has greater wisdom than you?” The low caste Pottan challenged the wise Brahmin to a debate.

You can guess the climax since I told you already that the Pottan was in fact Lord Shiva. Adi Shankara learnt humility and became wiser.

But no Brahmin is as simple and humble as that. In fact, in the legend Shankara the Great ordered the death of Pottan in fire. When Pottan was thrown into a blazing flame, he shouted that he was feeling cold and colder. And then he emerged unscathed from the fire and took on the form of Lord Shiva.

Brahmins can accept lessons from Lord Shiva, of course.

Today you can meet Pottan Theyyam in northern Kerala. This Theyyam is anti-caste god. He is a kind of rebel against the unjust caste system of Hinduism. He teaches the great philosopher that the latter steps into the same river in which Pottan has taken a bath. The ‘great’ Brahmin breathes the same air that Pottan has exhaled. “When you’re wounded, is it not blood that comes out? When I’m wounded too, it’s blood that comes out. And the colour of both blood is the same.”

The song sung by Pottan Theyyam even today in northern Kerala carries a lot of piercing questions against the caste system and other discriminations of elite Hinduism.

You can watch one of the Theyyam performances here:

Related Posts

How Monsters Become Gods

Kappiri Muthappan