New comic series ‘Maayan’ brings 15th-century Calicut and wizard-warriors to life

6A new Indian comic series, ‘Maayan’, is set against the backdrop of 15th-century Calicut and centers on an unlikely pair caught in a world of politics, magic and martial arts.

The protagonists are Raman, an apprentice to the royal poet who is forced to flee the palace, and Maari, a gifted Kalari warrior who belongs to a secretive group of wizards known as the Maayans.

According to the creators, the series follows their treacherous journey as they navigate hidden forces and palace intrigue. A key plotline explores the mystery behind Maari’s identity — and how he became a wizard.

The name Maayan is drawn from legend. The Maayans are depicted as a group of sorcerer-warriors said to have lived during the rule of the Kalabhra dynasty, which controlled parts of South India from the 3rd to the 6th century.

By blending historical setting with fantasy, the comic aims to weave Kerala’s martial tradition of Kalari with folklore about magic users who operated in the shadows of ancient South Indian kingdoms.

The series positions itself as both an adventure and a myth-building story, tracing how Raman and Maari’s fates become intertwined as they uncover secrets that could change the fate of Calicut.