Padayappa: The friendly India elephant whose fame is a curse - BBC News

Padayappa has long been a fan favourite in India's Kerala state. So why is he controversial now?

11 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Hadlee RenjithImage caption, Wild Indian elephant Padayappa is a local hero in Kerala stateBy Ashraf PadannaReporter, Trivandrum, KeralaPadayappa is an iconic figure in the southern Indian state of Kerala.

The wild elephant, who lives in the state's lush jungles, is known for his flappy ears, massive tusks and friendly ways.

Padayappa's bond with the people of Kerala goes back decades.

Locals in the town of Munnar, near Padayappa's habitat, call him a "gentle giant" who has never hurt anyone, even though he occasionally pilfers food from their homes and farms at night.

His name comes from the 1999 blockbuster movie Padayappa - a swashbuckling tale of betrayal and family honour - starring superstar Rajinikanth.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-64480308?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

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