Enchanting Kerala

KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER

Onapottan - Celebration of the Divine

The festival of Onam is marked by the celebration of different types of rare folk and classical art forms. In Kerala’s Malabar region, Onam season sees the resurrection of many age-old art forms. Onapottan Theyyam is a rare tradition folk character who signifies the arrival of the King Mahabali.

According to mythology, Onam celebrates the homecoming of King Mahabali when he leaves the nether world and comes to Kerala to visit his ‘subjects’ once every year. Donning a headgear and wearing heavy, vibrant makeup, and colourful costumes, Onapottan represents King Mahabali and visits houses during the Uthradam and Thiruvonam days of the Onam festival. He walks around with a bell in one hand and a palm leaf umbrella (Olakkuda) in the other and showers his blessings on his ‘subjects’. Onapottan dances to the songs that narrate the origin of Onam and legend of Mahabali. Onapottan is known across the North Malabar region in different names. While the people of Kannur call the folk character Onavedan, those in Kozhikode call him Oneshwaran or Onapottan.

The most interesting element of the art form is that the Theyyam doesn't speak, and hence the name 'Onapottan' (in Malayalam pottan means “a dumb person”). Onapottan is usually accompanied by two other artists who play the Chenda (drum) and Illathalam (cymbal), while singing the songs narrating the lore of Mahabali. While custom demands that Onapottan shouldn't speak, the legend of King Mahabali is conveyed by Onapottan through his stellar performance. This rare art form is revered by the people of the land and is a very important ritual associated with the Onam festival.

Get a feel of the traditional art form here