Journey Through Kerala & Tamil Nadu: Exploring Theyyam, Coastal Charms, and Vibrant Cultures

In January 2023, I was in Delhi and planned a trip to Kerala to experience and capture the beauty of Theyyam, a Hindu religious ritual and folk art form performed in northern Kerala and parts of Karnataka, India. The Theyyam season begins on the tenth day of the Malayalam month of Thulam (around October or early November) and continues until the middle of Edavam (early June).

The season is divided into three key phases:

• Start: The season begins on the tenth day of Thulam, known as "Thulappath" or "Pathamudayam."

• Peak: The peak of the season is between January and April, with many grand festivals called Perumkaliyattam.

• End: The season concludes in the first week of June with Edavappathi.

To begin my journey, I decided to meet a friend in Thiruvananthapuram, a journalist covering the political environment of South India at that time. I took a train from Lucknow to Ernakulam, then continued to Thiruvananthapuram. From there, we planned our first destination, Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, though it wasn’t originally on my list. I was excited to visit Kanyakumari, a vibrant town known for its unique charm.

We took a bus from Thiruvananthapuram Kerala to Nagercoil Tamil Nadu, where we stayed for a night. The next morning, we boarded another bus and reached Kanyakumari. Upon arrival, we met some local contacts who helped us explore the town.

Our first stop was the beach, which was breathtaking. The green waters sparkled under the sunlight, creating an amazing view. Next, we visited the local arts and crafts market, where we saw shops selling beautiful seashell artifacts, tattoos, and a variety of ice creams and local foods. After enjoying lunch, we headed to the Kanyakumari port.

At the port, we saw large fishing boats. Our guide explained that the fishermen go out to sea for a week, return with their catch, and sell it in the market. Since it was almost afternoon and the port was quiet, we decided to rest.

Later that evening, we had dinner. As I had heard a lot about Tamil Nadu & Kerala seafood, I tried fish for dinner, and it was truly delicious. Afterward, we visited the port again to witness the fishermen unloading their week’s catch. The port was buzzing with activity as different types of fish and sea creatures were being auctioned.

The next day, we visited a nearby fishing village, a colorful town where every house was painted in a different shade. At the center of the village stood a large Catholic church. When we arrived in the morning, prayers were ongoing, accompanied by hymns in Tamil or Malayalam. The atmosphere was incredibly mesmerizing.

I took this opportunity to capture photos of the vibrant homes, streets, and local people. After exploring the village, I departed for Kannur Kerala, traveling via Ernakulam. Once in Kannur, I photographed the stunning Theyyam festival, fulfilling the purpose of my trip.