Tolan (medieval poet)

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. He was a courtier and friend of king Kulasekhara Varma (identified with Sthanu Ravi Kulasekhara, c. 844–870 AD). Tolan wrote the elaborate Malayalam passages for the vidushaka's speeches in Koodiyattam. These passages were probably intended for a native (Malayalam) audience at the temple.