What is odiyan?

Odiyan was a mythical shapeshifting entity prevalent in the folklore of Kerala, India. Stories of Odiyans instilled fear in the hearts of people, particularly during the pre-electricity era.

• Origin and Folklore: Odiyans were believed to be men possessing the ability to transform into animal forms, mostly bulls, using odividya, a type of black magic. These transformations were not permanent, and they could revert to their human forms at will. [https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Odiyan's%20Origin%20and%20Folklore]

• Modus Operandi: Odiyans were active primarily during the night, especially in the dark hours before dawn. Their motive was usually murder for hire or personal vendettas. They would often attack people traveling alone, especially those returning home after work or visiting relatives. They would either kill their victims outright or terrorize them into abandoning their journey. [https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Odiyan's%20Modus%20Operandi]

• Target Victims: Common targets were men returning home at night after selling their goods at the market or visiting relatives.

• Decline: With the advent of electricity and increased awareness, the belief in Odiyans gradually faded away. Modernization and improved transportation also reduced the opportunities for Odiyans to operate unnoticed.

• Odiyan in Popular Culture: The legend of Odiyan has been revived in recent times through movies and literature, contributing to its continued presence in Kerala's cultural memory. Notably, the Malayalam film Odiyan (2018) brought the folklore to a wider audience. [https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Odiyan%20in%20Popular%20Culture]