Onapottan wearing costume and props

Onapottan (Onesvaran) is a folk character that appears during the Onam season in North Malabar region of Kerala.[1] The Onapottan visits the houses during the Utradam and Thiruvonam days of Onam.[2] The role of Onapottan is enacted by an artist. The name Onapottan is given to this character because he does not speak (pottan = deaf in Malayalam language). His arrival is announced by the ringing of the traditional 'hand bell'. He wears elaborate props including the heavy crown, palm leaf umbrella, bangles and face paint.[2] He is supposed to bring prosperity to the houses he visits by giving blessings. Onapottan is not a common sight now, and is popular only in villages.[1] In some parts of Kerala, the right to enact Onapottan is restricted to members of Malaya community.[3]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Onapottan.
  1. 1 2 "Onapottan, Kummattikali....Names that you hear during Onam". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  2. 1 2 "ഓണവരവറിയിച്ച് ഓണപ്പൊട്ടന്‍ ഒരുക്കം തുടങ്ങി". www.mathrubhumi.com. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  3. ↑ E, Shinod (7 September 2011). "ചിരിയും കളിയുമായി ഓണപ്പൊട്ടന്‍". malayalam.oneindia.com (in Malayalam). Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
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