Tolan (medieval poet)

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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] It has also been suggested that he might be identical to the Mushika or Ezhimala court poet Atula.[5]

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