In the annals of folklore, the origin of ‘Pottan Theyyam’ can be traced back to the revered sage Sree Sankaracharya, the renowned guru of Kerala.
Once upon a time, in a village, there lived a devout woman who fervently worshipped Lord Paramashiva, praying for the blessing of a child. Her unwavering devotion touched the heart of the Divine, and she was blessed with a son, whom she named Sankaran. As he grew, Sankaran’s thirst for knowledge led him to master the teachings of the shastras, vedanta, and upanishads, rendering him an omniscient sage. Pleased with his devotion and wisdom, Lord Paramashiva resolved to elevate his fame in the realm of knowledge. However, before bestowing this honor, the Lord sought to test Sankaran’s humility, ensuring he had shed every vestige of arrogance.
As Sankaran readied himself to ascend the ‘Sarvanja Peedam,’ the throne of knowledge, Lord Shiva, in disguise as a Dalit (Dalit refers to people from historically oppressed castes in India, once considered “untouchable” and excluded from the Hindu caste system), embarked on a mission to evaluate Sankaran’s wisdom and humility. Lord Shiva adopted the persona of ‘Pulapottan,’ accompanied by ‘Pulachamundi,’ the disguised Parvathy Devi, and ‘Pulamaruthan,’ his minister Nadikesan.
On his journey towards the Sarvanja Peedam, Sankaran found himself near a forested area known as Pulaya Chala, a place adorned with resplendent flowers and shrubs. A child, residing in a humble hut, cried for food while his parents prepared kanji (a simple porridge made with rice and water) inside. Seemingly deserted, Sankaran hurriedly traversed the vicinity, avoiding contact with the Pulaya people, who were considered of a marginalized caste in a society structured by untouchability.