Wayanadan Kulavan

The hunter-god of the Wayanad forests, patron of the Thiyya community; toddy is his offering and the bow his weapon.

Wayanadan Kulavan is a forest deity worshipped mainly by the Thiyya community. His Theyyam is performed with a bow and arrows, and toddy is an essential offering. He is closely associated with Kandanar Kelan, whom he revived after a forest fire. The performance often lasts through the night with elaborate hunting scenes.

The legend

Shiva, in a drunken rage, was cursed to lose his sight; he wandered the Wayanad forests, tapped toddy and hunted, and was worshipped there as Kulavan.