A woman stitches her way into the male-dominated ritual tradition of Theyyam

KANNUR In the ritual world of Theyyam, where women rarely find a place in the traditional roles, 41-year-old M. Priya of Kannayi Mukkottu near Payyannur has carved out a distinctive space for herself. Rather than performing rituals, she stitches costumes and decorative garments that transforms male performers into divine figures in the Malabar’s sacred groves and temples. For Priya, the Theyyam season is also the busiest time of the year.

Beginning in November and continuing until March or May, depending on the festival calendar, it keeps her sewing machine busy. Unlike conventional tailoring, Ms. Priya specialises exclusively in the traditional attire worn by Theyyam performers. She makes costumes and decorative accessories for almost all the Theyyam forms, following individual performances measurements and requirements.

“It takes nearly two days to stitch the complete costume for a Theyyam character. Each form has its own distinctive style of attire, requiring patience, precision, and an understanding of the traditional designs,” she said. Ms.