Thacholi Othenan
Thacholi Meppayil Kunjhu Othenan or Mepayil Tacholi Manikoth Kovilakathu Kunji Othena Kurup (Udayana Kurup of Thacholi Manikoth House) or more popularly Thacholi Othenan (Malayalam: തച്ചോളി ഒതേനന്) was a legendary hero who is believed to have lived during 16th century in North Malabar region of Kerala, India.[1] He is praised about in Vadakkanpattu (ballads of North Malabar).
Othenan was born into the Royal Family of Manikoth Kovilakom, a Padakurup[citation needed] (Sub division of Kurup of Nair Caste[citation needed]) in Thacholi near Vatakara. The Family is one of the 30 Koottams of Kurumbranad Royal Family called as Kurumbra Swaroopam or Kurumbiathiri.[citation needed] The Capital of the Kingdom was at Vatakara.[citation needed] (His father, Kotakkad Kovilakath Puthuppanathu Mooppil Vazhunnor was a Desavazhi of a small fiefdom) a small town in Kerala.[2] He practised Kalarippayattu (ancient martial art form of kerala) from a very young age and grew up to be an extraordinarily brave and skilled warrior. Legends portray him as being a merciless opponent to enemies and a friend to the helpless. Even the powerful Zamorin of Calicut respected him. Mathiloor Gurukkal was his trainer, while Kandachery Chappan was his best companion.The legendary Thacholi Chandu was his nephew. A famous temple in Vatakra named Lokanarkavu_Temple is considered to be the family temple of Othenan.[citation needed]
Othenan beheaded Chindan Nambiar, who was regarded at that time as the best warrior in entire North Malabar, with the help of a martial art technique known as Poozhikkadakan learned from his colleague Payyamvelli Chanthu. He also killed a number of other very prominent warriors such as Punnora Kelappan and Puramala Nambi Kurup. He defeated Kadhirur Gurukkal in ankam (duel/war) and killed him. But one of the Gurukkal’s disciples (Parunthunkal Emman Panicker) arranged a Moplah mercenary (Mayin Kutty) who killed Othenan through treachery at the young age of 32. The legend says that Othenan was shot while he was walking home through a rice field.
The Northern Ballads or the Vadakkan Pattukal extol the adventures of brave men and women, set against a feudal and medieval background, the stories celebrate the valour and skills of the renowned characters. The Vadakkan Pattukal reflect the peak of Kerala folk-poetry. These ballads are associated with North Malabar. The movie Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha capitalised on the popularity of these stories.
Thacholi Ambadi, another renowned martial arts expert, is Othenan's son.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=BRX1GN9njyMC&pg=PA497
- ^ "In the land of Othenan". The Hindu. 11 June 2005. http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/06/11/stories/2005061101700300.htm. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
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