Digital art print of the original artwork.
Media: Giclée print on archival paper.
Size: 8 X 12" + 1.5" margin
Wayanad is home to 66 major tribes, most of whom have blended into mainstream life but still hold deep ties to the forest. Their homes? Scattered colonies—some just inside the jungle, others at its very edge.
Meet Ayyappan, head of the Kattu Nayakan tribe in Vaduvanchal. In his forties, he carries the traditions of his people—stocky build, dark complexion, a distinct forehead, and a language that’s a wild mix of Tamil, Kannada, and sounds you won’t find in any dictionary.
For the Kattu Nayakars, nature isn’t just home—it’s sacred. "The forest and everything in it is our life," Ayyappan says. Their goddess? A simple stone, worshipped in a hilltop shrine in Neelimala. Their rituals? Rooted in the rhythm of the wild.
They’re also masters of tribal medicine. Ayyappan, for one, is just recovering from his second snakebite—this time, on his forehead (which, let’s be honest, isn’t a common spot to get bitten). His fault, not the snake’s. “I startled it while pruning bushes behind my house,” he shrugs.
For the Kattu Nayakars, animals aren’t enemies. They won’t harm humans—unless, of course, we give them a reason to.
Wayanad
The art print is personally signed by the artist and includes a certificate of authenticity.
Colours may vary slightly due to differences in monitor settings, browser variations, and lighting conditions during photography. While we strive for accurate colour representation, we cannot guarantee an exact match between the product and its on-screen image.