Onapottan

Onapottan (Onesvaran) is a folk character that appears during the Onam season in North Malabar region of Kerala.

The name Onapottan is given to this character because he does not speak (pottan = deaf in Malayalam language).

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.

[1] In some parts of Kerala, the right to enact Onapottan is restricted to members of Malaya community.