Kandanar Kelan Theyyam is a powerful theyyam often depicted as jumping out of fire during the annual theyyam thira kaliyattam festival in Kannur and Kasaragod region of Kerala. As per information, Kelan was an energetic and hardworking young man. As per Kandanar Kelan theyyam story, his mother, Meladathu Chakki, got him from her forest property in Poompunam in Wayanad.
The hardworking young man transformed the barren property of his mother at Kunnuru near Ramanthali Payyanur into a fully flourishing agriculture field. His mother then asked him transform her property in Wayanad too into a highly productive farmland. To fulfill his mother’s wish Kelan reached Poompunam in Wayanad and found the property to be filled with shrubs and trees. He cut all the shrubs and trees except for a gooseberry tree, in which two snakes had taken refuge. He then set fire to the shrubs. But unfortunately the fire spread out of control and Kelan had to take refuge in the gooseberry tree. The fire soon engulfed the gooseberry tree the two snakes slithered into the body of Kelan and they bit him on the left and right chest. Finally, the fire engulfed the gooseberry tree and Kelan and the snakes were burned down.
When the fire subsided Vayanattu Kulavan came through that way and happened to see the body of Kelan and two snakes. Vayanattu Kulavan touched the burnt body with his right leg and suddenly Kalan came back to life and got up by taking support of the legs of Vayanattu Kulavan. The two snakes who were still hanging on to the chest of Kelan also got back their life.
As Kelan got back his life due to the touch of Vayanattu Kulavan he came to be known as Kandanarkelan. He was made a daivakaru and given a place on the left side of Vayanattu Kulavan.
During the theyyam performance, the Kandanar Kelan theyyam is depicted as jumping out of fire.