Thread by @AmrithaMohan_

So, my story is finally out in @thecaravanindia!As part of @NFI_India's Media Fellowship, I report on the caste-ridden lives of #Theyyam practitioners in north Kerala—they perform daredevil acts in the name of worship and yet are threatened by caste norms+
caravanmagazine.in/caste/how-cast…

face routine public humiliation, receive less financial remuneration, even pay for costumes/jewelry from their pockets. Little has been done to support those who bear the brunt of this spectacle in the name of tradition+
(Image: Kandanar Kelan #Theyyam, by Sreerag Kadannapally

and while crowds may still watch these performers risk their lives and health as 'gods', in fear and awe, no one even remembers their names after. bit.ly/3BANJI6

(Photographer: Sachin Ravi)

On a personal note, writing this would have been impossible without the help offered by so many kind souls. To all #Theyyam practitioners, historians & researchers who agreed to speak to me, I’m forever grateful +
(Photo: Pottan Theyyam sits on glowing embers. By Sarath Chandran)

Special thanks to Rithwik Sankar and Sreepriya A, for your insightful conversations and company. @MahtabNama sir, thanks for keeping me (and my anxiety) in check! Thanks @Raksha_Kumar ma’am +

(Image: Kandanar Kelam #Theyyam walks through fire, photo by Ajay Jayaprakash)

and @ashutosh_blog for your initial comments on the copy. For your careful, patient editing, thank you @tushamittal and the editorial team @thecaravanindia. Finally, +

(Image:The Pulli Bhagavathi Theyyam performs in Kannur, Photographer: Sarath Chandran)

forever grateful to @NFI_India for giving me the chance to tell this story.

Now, with the rains slowly receding, the #Theyyam season has begun here in north #Kerala and one may find it easy to be dazzled by its spectacle and aesthetic, enjoy the performance and go home. But +

I hope this story reminds us all to ask more questions: of ensuring basic rights, remuneration and dignity for these ritual performers of #Theyyam, because such is the insidious nature of #caste.

caravanmagazine.in/caste/how-cast…