Offerings for Theyyam
Kasaragod, Mangalore State, India 2009
The point of our trip was to shoot the Theyyam ceremonies. We’d get to the temple, which was a rather simple affair, and stand for hours watching the preparations. Then the ceremony would begin and we’d scramble to get a unique viewpoint of the Theyyam in action. I had some ideas in mind. I got them from Cartier-Bresson. None of my ideas worked out. Partly because I respected the people who seemed so desperate for Theyyam to pray for their special intention. I wasn’t pushy enough.
Here I got down on one knee to shoot at eye-level the offerings of incense, coconuts and bananas held in the hands of Theyyam’s acolytes. Here, eye level is unusual.
An Offering for Theyyam
A woman grasps Theyyam’s hand as she places her offering of cash into a banana leaf held by the Theyyam.
Love these!