Pulimaranja Thondachan

Who is Pulimaranja Thondachan?

Pulimaranja Thondachan is worshipped mainly by the Pulayar community of Kannur and Kasaragod. “Thondachan” is a word for grandfather in North Malabar. The name means the ancestor who vanished as a tiger.

The story

The legend says that Kari, a man of the Pulaya community, was refused entry to the martial-arts school because of his caste. A landlord helped by letting him use his name, and Kari went on to train in many kalaris, mastering the art of changing form. He became a respected kurikkal, a teacher and healer.

A distant landlord asked him to cure his madness and promised half his property, then plotted to kill him instead of paying. Kari had to bring a tiger, its milk and its hair as a condition. He told his wife not to be afraid when he returned as a leopard, but she was frightened and closed the door. He then disappeared into the forest. The landlord’s illness returned, and people came to worship Kari as Pulimaranja Thondachan.

Hero photo: Kuttappan Chettan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What you will see

The Theyyam wears a large, wide, tiered headdress and layered red attire, with a painted face and ornaments. Its movements recall the leopard.

In the tradition

The story has inspired a well-known play and film, both called Pulijanmam.

Quick answers

Who is Pulimaranja Thondachan in Theyyam?

Pulimaranja Thondachan is worshipped mainly by the Pulayar community of Kannur and Kasaragod. “Thondachan” is a word for grandfather in North Malabar. The name means the ancestor who vanished as a tiger.

What does Pulimaranja Thondachan Theyyam look like?

The Theyyam wears a large, wide, tiered headdress and layered red attire, with a painted face and ornaments. Its movements recall the leopard.

Sources and further reading: Pulimaranja Thondachan (Wikipedia). Stories vary by shrine, family and teller; this is a general summary, not a definitive version.