Meera Menon Pattaruveettil

This research investigates how AI-generated imagery is reshaping the visual culture and religious significance of Theyyam, a ritual performance tradition from Kerala, India. As AI tools become increasingly accessible, both local artists and global users are producing digital reinterpretations of Theyyam that circulate widely on social media platforms. These representations raise urgent questions about religiosity, authenticity, authorship, and cultural adaptation in the digital age. Through ethnographic fieldwork with performers, artists, and audiences in Kerala, followed by digital ethnography of online Theyyam communities and content creators, my study examines how traditional religious aesthetics are being reframed through algorithmic means. By analysing the tensions and synergies between embodied ritual practice and disembodied digital image-making, my project contributes to broader anthropological debates on visual culture, religious mediation, and the ethics of generative AI. My work not only documents emerging forms of devotional creativity but also critically assesses the implications of AI for cultural heritage and community agency. Ultimately, my project contributes to ongoing discourses on who has the right to represent Theyyam in the digital realm and how such representations influence the tradition’s future in both local and global contexts.