The profound bond between the Kolathiri dynasty and the ancient art form of Theyyam in Northern Kerala is of much significance and is deeply rooted in the region's cultural history. The Kolathiris, also known as the Chirakkal royal family, was pivotal in fostering and promoting Theyyam. According to local legend, the Theyyam performances that we witness today were pioneered by Manakkadan Gurukkal of Karivellur under the patronage of the King of the Chirakkal dynasty. These performances also include the worship of Thai Paradevata, the Mother Goddess, the principal deity of the family.

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The Chirakkal Chamundi Kottam is the central hub for the thirty-five revered supreme deities. The ancient Kottam deteriorated over time, but determined efforts resulted in its restoration, giving rise to the magnificent Chirakkal Chamundi Kottam that stands today as a revered sanctuary where the deities are worshipped with utmost devotion.

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According to the annals of Theyyam history, the Chirakkal Kovilakam (the royal palace) served as the sacred abode where the thirty-five clan deities were venerated, each assigned an ornate pedestal known as a peedham. Four notable peedhams were the Aimpadi Chitrapeedham, Kumbala Chitrapeedham, Madian Chitrapeedham, and Palli Chitrapeedham. The King commissioned the construction of 36 wooden peedhams at the Valapattanam Fort. Among these peedhams, thirty-five represented each Paradevatha (clan deities) of the dynasty, while the 36th belonged to Sri Kurumba Bhagavathi. It is worth mentioning that twenty-nine out of these thirty-five deities are associated with Theyyam performances, while the remaining six are not.

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The contributions of Manakkadan Gurukkal and the Kovilakam in establishing and preserving Theyyam are deeply ingrained in our memories. During those times, the caste system strongly influenced social and religious relationships in India. Members of the higher castes often restricted those of the lower castes from even worshipping the gods revered by the former. In this context, the Kolathiri dynasty played a vital and visible role in bridging the societal divide between the Avarnas and the Savarnas (lower and higher caste, respectively.) They accomplished this by inclusively incorporating lower-caste religious practices into the realm of Theyyam, bringing together people from different castes through the unifying power of songs, music, and dance within the Theyyam universe.

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Today, we are immensely grateful for the opportunity to revive and celebrate the long-awaited Perumkaliyattam. There has been a significant hiatus since the last occurrence of this highly revered event, making its return truly a cause for celebration. The significance of this event cannot be overstated, for it symbolizes the rekindling of our cultural heritage and spiritual traditions.

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A Sanskrit verse beautifully captures the essence of this sentiment:

Dharma deivam parithyajya

Yonyadeivam samaathreyathu

Jalaarthi jahnavitheere

Koopam ghanathi durmmathi

The verse emphasizes that those who forsake their ancestral deities in favor of others are as foolish as those who dig wells on the banks of the holy Ganges, expecting to find water. This verse serves as a poignant reminder to all of us to cherish and respect the ancestral traditions that have shaped us. In this context, it brings me great joy to state that we were able to carry out the 2023 Kaliyattam with much grandeur, upholding the rich traditions of the past.

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Amid our celebration, we also profoundly mourn the loss of Sri Ravindra Varma Raja, the esteemed King and visionary leader who played a crucial role in designing, planning, and orchestrating this magnificent event. We offer our most profound respects to his memory and the enduring legacy he has left behind.

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Perhaps it is my destiny to have succeeded in the position of Chirakkal Kovilakam Valiyaraja (Head of the Chirakkal dynasty) during the auspicious period of Kaliyattam.

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With profound contentment that the event was carried out triumphantly and with well wishes to all, I remain,

Chirakkal Valiyaraja Uthratathithirunal Ramavarma