CHAPTER 1

The vannan community in north kerala is famous for their theyyam and treatment. They
were involved in witchcraft and sewing. In North Malabar it is known as "vannan" but in
districts like Thrissur Palakkad and Malappuram that is in South Malabar, it is known as
mannan although it is said that the varmas of north Malabar and mannans of South
malabar are the same, the Vannans are marummakathaya' system that the right to do
things like theyyam. Vannans are people who perform many rituals from conception to
death. Kurunthinipattu, kalampattu, kentron pattu and vannan koothu belong to the
𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑎𝑛5 . vannan is a community that play an important role in the socio -cultural life
of North Kerala
Theyyam is traditional art form of kolathunadu f ifteen communities practice the theyyam art,
a traditional dance form in Norther Kerala, but the vannan
Community has the largest number of deities. It was customary to present silk, bracelets
And swords to the talented artist of theyyam. Thus the custom name given to them is

- Peruvannan . Vannans, who seve as doctors in the community, are very famous in

Pediatrics' 1
ORIGIN OF THE VANNAN COMMUNITY
The vannan community is a section belonging to the scheduled castes. It is said that

People of 'vana’ vannan are the same. 'varna' and 'paravar are the same 𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒 6 many
People have tried to find synonyms from varna. Vannas are laundresses in tamil nadu
And kerala. The word ‘vanna’ is derived from the vannas were called ‘dobi.’ Although
They are known by various names such as mannan and vannan in kerala, they live
Between kasargod. In the north and korappuzha in the south and have traditionally
Practiced theyyam, medicine, witchcraft and laundry
There are different opinins about the origin of the "vannans'
1.The vannans are from Tamil Nadu. They are laundresses in tamil nadu. They were

4.Gireeshan peruvannan,Interview conducted by athulya’s 13 th march 2021.

5.Dr.Dhanya keeper poyykanum polimayum narthakanatanam kannaperuvannante
verittavarthakal.Pushka bhavan,payyanur,cherupuzha,p.o Kannur,December
2017,P:30.
6.Dr My vishunu Namboodiri,jeevithavum samskaravum,Vol-2,kerala Folklore,Academy
P.O civil station Kannur-2-January 2003,P-38.
Call as 'Veerabhadra'. Veerabhadra Theyyam' is a theyyam performed by the
Vannas. There is a story behind calling the laundresses in tamil nadu. Veerabhadra
Sati devi, who came to participate in the sacrifice performed by her father on
Earth. Angered at ati's death. Lord shiva behaded daksha and disrupted the altar
Veerabhadr, one of the