Kelan theyyam is a very rare theyyam performed in Kannur region of North Kerala during the annual theyyam thira kaliyattam festival. As per information, this is a male theyyam dedicated to a person who once lived in the region. Kelan theyyam story is that of kariyasthan or caretaker of Narikode Mana near Taliparamba in Kannur.
Kelan Nair was highly efficient and was loved by everyone in the region. Due to his efficiency there was enormous agricultural produces and rice. He was loved by all the workers that worked under him. He was famous for his sense humor.
One day evening Kelan Nair ventured into the paddy field and then no one saw him again. The next day morning someone found the short cane usually held by Kelan Nair on the paddy field. Soon there was all kind of evils in the region – trees started getting uprooted, plantains began to fall down, domestic animals started to make unusual sounds, wild animals appeared during noon at populated places…
Astrologers were summoned and they informed people that Kelan Nair had become a daiva karu. To keep him happy and content and to stop the evils in the region, he was given a proper place of worship. A theyyam is performed annually in his honor.