Tolan (fl. 9th century AD), also romanized asTholan, was an early medieval south Indian poet remembered for composingMalayalam passages of the art-formKoodiyattam.[1] He was a courtier and friend of king Kulasekhara Varma (identified withSthanu Ravi Kulasekhara, c. 844/45 – c. 870/71 AD).[1][2] Tolan wrote the elaborate Malayalam passages for the vidushaka's speeches inKoodiyattam.[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 theMushika or Ezhimala court poetAtula.[5]
