• Dr. K.Savitha
• Dr. Niju P.

The ritual performance of Theyyam in Northern Kerala is a cultural mechanism that neutralizes caste barriers in the ritual sphere. Theiryam is a transformative process based on the traditions of marginalized communities, where performers transcend caste identity and become deities that even upper-caste devotees submit to. The purpose of this paper is to analyze how Theyyam challenges the hierarchical caste structure, establishing a ritual space for equality, conserving countercultural narratives, and supporting Kerala's cultural awakening, emphasizing case studies of major Theyyam deities.

Theyyam, caste system, Kerala, ritual performance, cultural awakening, marginalized communities

"VOICES OF THE OPPRESSED: ROLE OF THEYYAM IN DISMANTLING CASTE HIERARCHIES IN NORTHERN KERALA", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 9, page no.c715-c721, September-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2509280.pdf

"VOICES OF THE OPPRESSED: ROLE OF THEYYAM IN DISMANTLING CASTE HIERARCHIES IN NORTHERN KERALA", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 9, page no. ppc715-c721, September-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2509280.pdf