Kuttichathan is a demigod in the folklore of Malabari Hindus, depicted as a portly adolescent boy, sometimes described as having a kutumi.[1] Kuttichathan's tricks (such as turning food into excrement, and beds turning into beds of thorn) cause great trouble to his victims but never do serious harm.[1] He is said to demand food in exchange for freedom from his harassment.[1]
Some Hindus in Malabar believe that sacrificing a cockerel on a regular basis with the correct incantations will appease Kuttichathan, and that he will otherwise terrorize their families.[2] Kuttichathan also appears in pop culture, such as in the 1984 Malayalam film My Dear Kuttichathan.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lectures On Ethnography{{#if:Iyer|, Iyer}(1925) Template:PD-notice
- ↑ Witchcraft in western India{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Orient Longman(1983)
External links
- Therayattam – Worship Dances of Malabar. A 1958 documentary showing worship dances of Malabar, with a dance dedicated to Kuttichathan shown at 09:30. Indian Ministry of Information, OCLC 4702509.