Pandemic theyyams: can tourism be a life saviour for the artists?

In a world that remains in the throes of the Covid era, we find ourselves adapting to a new "normal," where the virus transcends distinctions of caste, color, religion, class, and gender. However, the brunt of the pandemic has undeniably fallen harder on the marginalized segments of society. Globally, individuals have confronted Covid and explored diverse avenues to surmount its challenges. Even in regions like Kerala, the pandemic has unleashed unprecedented consequences, particularly affecting the realm of ritual performances. Throughout this pandemic period, traditional performances, which encompass both ritualistic and labor aspects, have been indefinitely put on hold. This article undertakes an examination of the current state and potential future trajectories of Theyyam, a ritualistic performing art intrinsic to North Malabar, against the backdrop of the Covid era. It attempts to offer a distinct perspective on the rituals, cultural expressions, and artistic performances of North Malabar across various historical periods. Moreover, it delves into the role played by the tourism sector in times of pandemic-like situations, and the role that social media has assumed in providing support to ritual performers and in the dissemination and popularization of the Theyyam tradition amid the pandemic's constraints.