'cremation ground chief' is a rural Dravidian folk religion deity worshipped predominantly in South India, particularly in the districts of Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, and Thiruvananthapuram.

He seems to have originated in some ancestral guardian spirit of the villages or communities in Tamil Nadu, in a similar manner as Ayyanar.

He is usually found with mother goddess Pechiamman, Mutharamman, Esakkiamman, Brahmashakti Amman, and Sudalai Mundan.

Sudalai is the guardian of the kodimaram (flagstaff) in several temples and also a kuladeivam(god) of folk lore peoples.

The tale of Sudalai Madan originates from the Dravidian folk tradition of South India.

The goddess Parvati wishes to have a child; her husband Shiva suggests that she perform austerities to gain the same.

Thappattai beats, Kaniyan Koothu (Maguda Kacheri) and Villupattu are the main performances of Sudalai Madan Kodai festival.