Tolan (fl. 9th century AD), also romanized as Tholan, was an early medieval south Indian poet remembered for composing Malayalam passages of the art-form Koodiyattam.[1] He was a courtier and friend of king Kulasekhara Varma (identified with Sthanu Ravi Kulasekhara, c. 844/45 – c. 870/71 AD).[1][2] Tolan wrote the elaborate Malayalam passages for the vidushaka's speeches in Koodiyattam.[1] These passages were probably intended for a native (Malayalam) audience at the temple.[3]

Tolan is also credited with the authorship of the lost historical kavya "Mahodayapuresa-charitha".[4]

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Narayanan, M. G. S (2013) [1972]. Perumals of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks. pp. 381–82. doi:10.1177/0376983614521543. S2CID 143612532.
  2. ^ Devadevan, Manu V. (2020). "The Semantic Universe of the Kudiyattam Theatre". The 'Early Medieval' Origins of India. Cambridge University Press. p. 227.
  3. ^ Narayanan, M. G. S (2013) [1972]. Perumals of Kerala: Brahmin Oligarchy and Ritual Monarchy. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks. p. 364. doi:10.1177/0376983614521543. S2CID 143612532.
  4. ^ Vielle, Christophe (2012). "Real and Ideal Kings in Matrilineal Kerala". Religions of South Asia. 5 (1): 369. doi:10.1558/rosa.v5i1/2.365.