Onapottan
ഓണപ്പൊട്ടൻ
A silent visitor at Onam, who stands for the king Mahabali and goes from house to house with a bell.
- Category
- A figure of the Theyyam tradition, seen at Onam
- Stands for
- King Mahabali
- Season
- Uthradam and Thiruvonam days of Onam
- Kept by
- The Malaya community, according to most accounts
Who is Onapottan?
Onapottan is a figure that comes to the houses of North Malabar at Onam. He stands for King Mahabali, the generous king whom the people of Kerala remember at the festival. Many people describe him as a kind of Theyyam, and he is kept by the Malaya community. He is not a deity worshipped at a shrine, and he is quite different from the night-long rituals at a kavu.
The story
According to the story told, Vishnu was moved by Mahabali’s generosity and granted him a boon, that he could visit his people once a year. The one condition was that he must not speak to them. That is why Onapottan is silent. The word pottan means a person who does not speak or hear, and in some places he is called Onavedan or Oneshwaran.
Hero photo: Jameela P., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What you will see
The koladhari, the person who takes the kolam, prepares with a period of restraint beforehand. He wears a tall crown, a long beard of fibre, a palm-leaf umbrella and bangles, and his face is painted. A hand bell goes before him, and he moves quietly from house to house on the days of Uthradam and Thiruvonam. He does not speak. People greet him and offer what they have, and his visit is believed to bring good fortune to the home.
Koladhari: the person who takes on the kolam, the deity’s form. See Theyyam words explained.
In the tradition
The custom is now seen mostly in villages and is no longer common. It is a reminder of how deeply the Theyyam families are woven into the life of the region. Some writers also note that the tradition grew out of a caste order in which the Malaya community served the households it visited.
This is a quiet household custom. If you meet Onapottan, do not ask him to pose or speak, and ask the family before taking any photograph. Photography and video are not allowed at some rituals, so ask your guide first.
Quick answers
Who is Onapottan in Theyyam?
Onapottan is a figure that comes to the houses of North Malabar at Onam. He stands for King Mahabali, the generous king whom the people of Kerala remember at the festival. Many people describe him as a kind of Theyyam, and he is kept by the Malaya community. He is not a deity worshipped at a shrine, and he is quite different from the night-long rituals at a kavu.
What does Onapottan Theyyam look like?
The koladhari, the person who takes the kolam, prepares with a period of restraint beforehand. He wears a tall crown, a long beard of fibre, a palm-leaf umbrella and bangles, and his face is painted. A hand bell goes before him, and he moves quietly from house to house on the days of Uthradam and Thiruvonam. He does not speak. People greet him and offer what they have, and his visit is believed to bring good fortune to the home.
Learn about the Theyyams with a local guide
Our guided trips explain each deity’s story as you see it, and are planned with you on enquiry. We never publish ritual dates or venues, and confirm the right nights with you closer to travel.
Enquire about a tripStories vary by shrine, family and teller; this is a general summary, not a definitive version.
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