Dancing in the flames: Indian dancers perform with fire

By Bunmi Adigun @Bunmi_Adigun

FOR thousands of years traditional Indian dancers have amazed locals with their incredible performances - which involves jumping into an open fire

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Theyyam is a religious ritual dating thousands of years

Theyyam dancers - as they are known - date back to ancient times and their rituals and ceremonies are believed to be older than most modern religions, including Christianity.

Rooted in Hinduism many followers of the tradition believe the dancers are the embodiment of God and so are highly regarded among people in the Kannur district of Kerala, southern India.

Photographer Asher Svidensky captured this colourful ritual

These powerful images were snapped by photographer and former soldier Asher Svidensky, 26, earlier this year during his travels through India.

He said: “I guess the idea of going to a place where literally every photographer I know travels to wasn't very appealing to me, but that all changed when I stumbled upon a ritual named Theyyam. After doing a bit of a research I knew I had to go and see it with my own eyes.”

Theyyam dancers traditionally come from the lower end of India’s rigid caste system

Although initially reluctant to visit the country, Asher was in awe after bearing witness to the ancient ceremony.

The photographer said: “I still remember the first ceremony I photographed - It was definitely a night to remember. It was as if the entire village had gathered around the Theyyam artist as he performed in a corridor of wild fire, screaming and kicking flames in every direction."

Many followers of the tradition believe the dancers are the embodiment of God

Theyyam dancers traditionally come from the lower end of India’s rigid caste system, however due to their status as a result of being seen as an embodiment of God they are usually exempt from the harsh realities for most people in India born into a lower caste.

Traditional Indian dancers have amazed locals with their performances which involves jumping into an open fire

The opportunity to rise up the social ladder is motivation for people within the lower castes to become Theyyam dancers due to the prestige that comes with the position. During his travels Asher followed a Theyyam master called Vino.

Theyyam performers can start from the age of eight and some train a minimum of 10 years before they even perform their first ceremony

Asher said: “Masters like Vino are distinct from other artists by a shiny golden bangle on their wrist, it is earned after years of performing and being recognised as exceptional artists by the community around them.”

The majestic ritual is not just limited to men although female dancers are few and far between.

The photographer got to know a Theyyam master called Vino, he said: "Masters like Vino are distinct from other artists by a shiny golden bangle on their wrist"

The former soldier said: “As far as I know there is one female Theyyam dancer but she lives in a different area and quite old now. I don’t think she performs any more, however. With that being said, many of the Theyyam gods are women and the dancers act them out as females."

The opportunity to rise up the social ladder is motivation for people within the lower castes to become Theyyam dancers

Theyyam performers can start from the age of eight and some train a minimum of 10 years before they even perform their first ceremony.

Asher said: “Theyyam dancers devote a huge portion of their lives into perfecting their mastery of the art, constantly spending their time fixing or remaking parts of their costumes alongside learning new rituals as they try to expand the reservoir of gods they can embody if needs be.”

The majestic ritual is not just limited to men although female dancers are few and far between

However this dedication to such an ancient craft can come at a high price to the people who choose to pursue it.

Asher said: “Theyyam dancers devote a huge portion of their lives into perfecting their mastery of the art

Asher said: “The art prevents him from maintaining any regular job and since he receives very little pay for his performances, Vino provides for his family by borrowing his brother's ricksha and driving it around the nearby town whenever he gets the chance to.”