Marthandavarma (novel)

This article is about the historical novel in Malayalam. For other uses, see Marthanda Varma (disambiguation).

Marthandavarma

Title page of the first edition
Author	C.V. Raman Pillai
Original title	മാർ‍ത്താണ്ഡവർ‍മ്മ
Translator	B. K. Menon (1936 - English) O. Krishna Pillai (1954 - Tamil) R. Leela Devi (1979 - English) Kunnukuzhy Krishnankutty (1990 - Hindi) P. Padmanabhan Thambi (2007 - Tamil)
Language	Malayalam
Genre	Historical Novel Historical Romance
Published	Malayalam : June 11, 1891 (Author) 1911 – 1970 (B. V. Book Depot) 1973 onwards (Sahithya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham) 1983 onwards (Poorna Publications) 1992 onwards (D. C. Books) 1999 (Kerala Sahitya Akademi) English : 1936 (Kamalalaya Book Depot) 1979 (Sterling Publishers) 1998 (Sahitya Akademi) Tamil : 1954 (Kamalalaya Book Depot) 2007 (Sahitya Akademi) Hindi : 1990 (Kerala Hindi Prachar Sabha)
Publication place	India
Media type	Print (Paperback)
ISBN	8171301304
Followed by	Dharmaraja, Ramarajabahadur
Original text	മാർ‍ത്താണ്ഡവർ‍മ്മ at Malayalam Wikisource

Marthandavarma (Malayalam: മാർ‍ത്താണ്ഡവർ‍മ്മ, Māṟttāṇḍavaṟmma [mɑːṟt̪t̪ɑːɳɖaʋaṟmma]) is a historical romance novel by C. V. Raman Pillai published in 1891. It recounts the history of Venad (Travancore) during the final period of Rajah Rama Varma’s reign and subsequently to the accession of Marthanda Varma. Set in Kollavarsham 901–906 (Gregorian calendar: 1727–1732), the story revolves around protagonists, Ananthapadmanabhan, Subhadra and Mangoikkal Kuruppu who are trying to protect the title character from Padmanabhan Thambi & Ettu Veetil Pillamar who plan to oust him from the throne of Travancore.

This novel initiated the historical romance genre in Malayalam literature by being the first historical novel published in Malayalam language and in south India. The first edition, self published by the author in 1891, received positive to mixed reviews, but book sales were too low for Pillai to receive adequate revenue. The revised edition published in 1911 was an enormous success and became one of the best sellers of the time. The story of Travancore was continued in the author's later novels, Dharmaraja (1913) and Ramarajabahadur (1918–1919). These three novels are together known as CV’s Historical Narratives and C. V. Raman Pillai's Novel Trilogy in Malayalam literature.

The popularity of the novel has led to the 1933 movie adaptation, Marthanda Varma (film), which ended up in legal dispute with the publishers of the novel and became the first literary work in Malayalam to be the subject of a copyright infringement. The novel, that has been translated into three different languages, English, Tamil, and Hindi, has also been the subject of multiple adaptations as abridgments, theater plays, radio plays, television programs including an English comics in 1985 by India Book House as an issue of Amar Chitra Katha. The literary significance of the Marthandavarma has made it to be included in the academic curriculum for courses offered by universities in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and by the Kerala State Education Board.

Marthandavarma is often considered as a classic blend of historical fiction and romance in Malayalam literature.

Title

The novel released with the title scripted as മാൎത്താണ്ഡവൎമ്മാ in Malayalam, for which the Latin equivalent is Māṟttāṇḍavaṟmmā. Though the original title is a single word, the English counterpart was scripted as Martanda Varma with a space between Martanda and Varma akin to the scripting of the title in Tamil as மார்த்தாண்ட வர்மா. The title was later changed to മാൎത്താണ്ഡവൎമ്മ in the editions brought out by Kamalalaya Book Depot by omitting the long Monophthong vowel sign ാ (ā) in the end, the English counterpart was corrected as Marthandavarma. The title was further revised post the centenary of the novel as മാർ‍ത്താണ്ഡവർ‍മ്മ, replacing the Dot reph, ൎ with Chillu, ർ inline with the contemporary Malayalam script usage.

Plot summary

In Panchavan forest a group of merchants find a young man, Ananthapadmanabhan, unconscious and covered in blood. They take him with them. Two years later, Parukutty still refuses to believe that her missing lover, Ananthapadmanabhan, is dead. Her mother arranges for her to marry Padmanabhan Thambi, elder son of aging King Rama Varma, through Thambi's right hand, Sundarayyan. The king has fallen ill and is confined to his bed. Desiring the throne, Thambi, with Sundarayyan, spreads the lie that the rightful heir, Prince Marthanda Varma, planned the attack on Ananthapadmanabhan because of an argument over a prostitute. Thambi allies himself with the Ettuveettil Pillas to oust the prince, stirring up the people against him and the royal officials. Some citizens stop paying taxes and the forces and finances of the royals are diminished.

Prince Marthanda Varma and his aide, Parameswaran Pilla, go to Bhoothapandi. The forces from Madurai are camped there, unwilling to support the royals until they are paid the full price agreed upon by the king. A payment, brought by the prime minister, was insufficient and he was forced to stay as an assurance of payment. Marthanda Varma worries that Raman Thambi, the king's second son, may adversely influence the Madurai forces while visiting. When the prince and his aide are at Padmanabhapuram, Padmanabhan Thambi arrives. To evade him, they travel through an underground tunnel to Charottu palace.

While visiting Thambi’s palace, Sundarayyan sees the prince's aide and tips off Velu Kuruppu, a loyalist fighter who serves Padmanabhan Thambi. Velu Kuruppu and lancers chase the prince and his aide from Charottu palace. A mad Channan, Ananthapadmanabhan in disguise, helps the duo escape by fighting with their pursuers. He's in turn rescued by an archer who's indebted to him for saving his life when he was bitten by a snake. The prince and his aide take refuge at Mangoikkal Kuruppu's house. Velu Kuruppu tells his master, Thambi, about the fight with the Channan. Following Thambi's order to capture the Channan-people, the mad Channan is captured and locked in the dungeon. Upon discovering that Marthanda Varma is at Mangoikkal's house, Velu Kuruppu sends his men to the house and rushes back to Thambi to arrange for more lancers and Nair soldiers to finish off the prince. The mad Channan finds an underground passage from the dungeon to Charottu palace.

As the prince and Mangoikkal arrange for additional forces, Velu Kuruppu and his men launch an attack on Mangoikkal. The mad Channan leaves Charottu palace and rushes to the Channan-people. Mangoikkal and his nephews try to resist Velu Kuruppu’s men as they surround the house and set it afire. The mad Channan and the Channan-people reach Mangoikkal's house and fight the attackers. The mad Channan rescues the prince and his aide from the house before its consumed by fire. Fighters from Mangoikkal's martial arts school join the fight and defeat Velu Kuruppu’s men. That night, Thirumukhathu Pilla visits Thambi to ask about the murder of his son, Ananthapadmanabhan. One of Velu Kuruppu’s lancers arrives and tells of the defeat at Mangoikkal's.

Marthanda Varma returns to his Thiruvananthapuram home. A message arrives at Chembakasserry from Thirumukhathu Pilla about his son's murder. Parukutty still refuses to believe Ananthapadmanabhan is dead. Thambi and Sundarayyan arrive to stay at Chembakassery. At night, Ananthapadmanabhan, disguised as a citizen of Kasi (Kasivasi) enters Chembakassery by drugging the caretaker of the armory. Thambi, overwhelmed by Parukutty's beauty, goes to her room to attain her but is dragged out by Kasivasi. Half asleep, Parukutty is disturbed by glimpses of the scuffle and falls ill. Later, Sundarayyan steals ornaments from the house.

Thambi and his team leave the next morning. Kazhakkoottathu Pilla comes to inquire into Parukutty's illness. He's then followed by Ananthapadmanabhan, disguised as a beggar, to Kudamon Pilla's house. At Kudamon's house a council is formed by the Ettuveettil Pillas and Sundarayyan in support of Padmanabhan Thambi as the next king. Kazhakkoottathu Pilla voices his dissatisfaction with the situation but assures his support. He leaves the council, followed by the beggar. Kazhakkoottathu meets Mangoikkal on the way. The beggar returns to the council to hear the final decision. The council decides to assassinate Prince Marthanda Varma.

Afterwards, Ramanamadathil Pilla meets Subhadra, the granddaughter of Kudamon Pilla's maternal aunt. Kazhakkoottathu tricks Mangoikkal and abducts him. As Sundarayyan is returning from the council, he's confronted by the beggar who tries to snatch the council note from him. Struggling, they both fall into the Killiyar. The beggar rescues Sundarayyan, who cannot swim. Sundarayyan awakes on the shore and delivers the council decision to Thambi. Learning of Parukutty's illness, Subhadra goes to console her mother and learns about Thambi’s stay and the theft at the house. At the royal palace a message arrives from Pathan camp warning of the council at Kudamon Pilla’s house, as the resolution is unknown, the prince should stay alert at all times. The message also announces the arrival of Mangoikkal. Ramayyan recommends strict action against the conspirators but the prince disagrees. During the discussion the prince realizes that Kalakkutty, who he'd sent to deliver a request for help to Thirumakhathu Pilla, is the maternal uncle-in-law of Sundarayyan. The prince's aide goes to find Mangoikkal but returns unsuccessful. The prince says the Ettuveettil Pillas may have harmed Mangoikkal. At this, his aide rushes to Pathan camp.

Meanwhile, Thambi sends Sundarayyan to ask about Parukutty’s illness. Sundarayyan, frightened from last night's fight, hides in the house. Subhadra arrives and asks Thambi about his actions at Chembakassery. Thambi says he was confronted by Ananthapadmanabhan's ghost before he could touch Parukutty and he does not know anything about the ornaments. During the conversation Thambi realizes that Subhadra knows that the murder that he and Sundarayyan are trying to blame on the prince was committed by Velu Kuruppu. Thambi goes to stab her with his dagger but, seeing her unmoved, he shrinks back. When Subhadra leaves, Thambi and Sundarayyan decide to kill her, as she knows their secret.

Sundarayyan buys poison at Pathan camp but Ananthapadmanabhan, disguised as Shamsudeen, sells him a harmless colored powder. Subhadra persuades Shanku Assan to tell her if the Kasivasi who entered Chambakassery the other night is still at Pathan camp. On his return from Pathan camp, Assan tells her that Sundarayyan was there buying poison. At Pathan camp, Hakkim warns Shamsudeen to be careful of danger when searching for Mangoikkal. Subhadra realizes that Sundarayyan plans to poison her and returns home. The prince and his aide, disguised as civilians, go with Ramayyan to look for Mangoikkal.

At night, Ramayyan goes to Sree Pandarathu house, home of Kazhakkoottathu, searching for Mangoikkal. The prince and his aide, sheltered behind a tree, notice an unidentifiable figure (Velu Kuruppu) pass by in a westerly direction. Later, the prince witnesses Sundarayyan heading to his wife, Anantham's, house. Subhadra is with Ramanamadathil Pilla, who leaves after assuring her that he will return. As Ramanamadathil passes by, the prince overhears him talking to himself about the greatness of Kazhakkoottathu Pilla, who captured Mangoikkal. Ramayyan returns to the prince and tells him that he could not check at Sree Panadarathu house due to additional security forces stationed there. The prince sends him to Anantham's house to learn her husband’s plans.

Ramayyan soon returns as Sundarayyan and Anantham were talking behind the doors and the house's parameter was being watched by Sundarayyan's brother, Kodanki. Velu Kuruppu arrives at Thambi’s house. Pleased to see him, Thambi hides him in his house. The prince and his aides leave to check on the ailing king. The archer, Chulliyil Chadachi Marthandan Pilla, chases after them, shooting arrows. The arrows are struck down by the mad Channan who then beats down the archer. Anantham brings food, that her husband secretly poisoned, to Subhadra. Subhadra realizes that the stolen ornaments are at Anantham's house and that she is unaware of her husband's plans. The mad Channan, hiding nearby, overhears their conversation. Ramanamadathil, Sundarayyan and Chulliyil Chadachi Marthandan Pilla visit Thambi’s house to talk about assassinating the prince.

When Ramanamadathil returns, Subhadra realizes the plan to assassinate the prince by Velu Kuruppu. She sends Shankarachar to deliver a note to the prince, orders ten of her servants to retrieve the ornaments and orders her servant Pappu to announce at Thambi’s house that she is dead. She sends another servant to Pathan camp. At the king’s palace, the prince is relieved to find that the king is a bit better after receiving medicine. Velu Kuruppu attempts to stab the prince while he is returning to his palace with his aide. Shankarachar stops him, they fight and Velu Kuruppu stabs Shankarachar then runs away. The prince and his aide reach Shankarachar, who manages to deliver the note before his final breath. Velu Kuruppu reaches Thambi, who summons Ramanamadathil, Chulliyil Chadachi Marthandan Pilla, Sundarayyan and Kodanki. They decide to move Mangoikkal from Sree Pandarathu house to Chembakassery.

Meanwhile, the mad Channan goes to Sree Pandarathu house, drugs the guards and gets the keys. He finds Mangoikkal in the dungeon but Ramanamadathil and company arrive and cut off their escape. In turn, Velu Kuruppu then Kondanki approach the Channan and are shot dead by his pistol. Chulliyil Chadachi Marthandan Pilla draws his bow. The Channan takes another pistol from his waist. Ramanamadathil intervenes and says that they will go to Chembakassery and be prosecuted by Thirumikhathu Pilla. The Channan agrees on the condition that he be allowed to keep his weapons. Subhadra’s servants return with the items from Anantham's house. Subhadra sends two of her servants to learn the whereabouts of Shankarachar. After a few hours the servants return with news of the deaths that occurred that night. Mangoikkal and the Channan are moved to Chembakassery and are watched over by palace guards who are loyal to Thambi. Sundarayyan and others spread the lie that prince Marthanda Varma tried to assassinate Ramanamadathil and is responsible for the night's murders.

Anantham tells Subhadra about the theft at her house. Saddened, Subhadra gets some relief when her servant returns from Pathan camp with medicine for Parukutty. He also tells her that one of the men at the camp resembles her ex-spouse. Pappu announces Subhadra's death at Thambi’s house but one of Thambi’s servants brings news of the theft at Sundarayyan’s house and Sundarayyan learns from his wife that Subhadra still lives. An angry mob of citizens rushes the palace, but are turned back by the ailing king who signals them to leave. Ramanamadathil arrives at Thambi’s house to tell about the revolt at the palace and praises the actions of Sundarayyan. Chulliyil Chadachi Marthandan Pilla and a servant arrive and announce the death of King Rama Varma. After Rama Varma's funeral, Marthanda Varma manages to send the required payment to the forces from Madurai. Subhadra reaches Chembakassery with medicine for Parukutty, who immediately begins to recover from her illness. Subhadra stays at Chembakassery for the next five days.

The prince discovers that the men sent from Kilimanoor, led by Narayanayyan, have been defeated by Kazhakkoottathu Pilla and his men. He fires the palace guards who are working for Thambi. At Chembakassery, Subhadra explains that one of the men in detention is a mad man and should be released. Subhadra returns home after learning of the council being held at her house by Thambi and team. Parukutty gets the caretaker to release the two men from detention. She and her mother take the keys down to the dungeon. Upon release, the mad Channan tries to conceal his true identity by running ahead. He is followed by Mangoikkal. Parukutty sees his resembles to her missing lover and realizes that he is the one who fought off Thambi the night he tried to attain her. Ettuveettil Pillas, the Thambi brothers and Sundarayyan decide to assassinate the prince at the palace that night. Mangoikkal's nephews arrive at the palace to support the prince. He tells them to come in the morning and coordinate with Ramayyan.

Later, the prince is awakened from his sleep by Subhadra's arrival in his room. She tells him his life is in danger. He must leave the palace at once and move his nephew and aunt to a safe place. The prince follows her after remembering that she was the one who helped him another night. Kudamon Pilla, Padmanabhan Thambi and company enter the palace to assassinate the prince but find no one. Subhadra sends her servant in another direction and then heads to her house with Marthanada Varma, Parameswaran and Ramayyan who are disguised as menials. They are spotted by Raman Thambi and his team on the way, but she and the trio evade him due to her quick thinking. The trio hide near a banyan tree while Subhadra fetches five men, dressed as porters, from her home and rejoins them. She instructs them to cross Venganoor. They are about to leave when Thirumukhathu Pilla arrives and recognizes the prince. He asks Subhadra why she is helping the one who killed her brother, Ananthapadmanabhan. She assures him that her brother is not dead. Thirumukhathu reveals that he is her father. Subhadra says that her brother will be at Pathan camp.

Subhadra goes home and the others head east as Thirumukhathu knows that Aruveettukar are waiting near the west banks of the river, Karamana. Unable to find the prince, Thambi and the Ettuveettil Pillas lead their forces to Manakkadu, to attack Magaoikkal's fighters. Tipped off by Subhadra, Mangoikkal's fighters are able to put up a stiff resistance despite being outnumbered. Pathan fighters led by Shamsudeen and Beeram Khan arrive and assist against Thambi’s forces. Shamsudeen fights Thambi while Beeram Khan fights Sundarayyan who he has a personal grudge against for causing his separation from, his then-spouse, Subhadra. Sundarayyan brings down Beeram Khan's horse, trapping the latter under the horse. Sundarayyan advances towards him but Beeram Khan springs out from under the body, kills his opponent and leaves the battlefield at once. Shamsudeen shoots Thambi in the hand as he is about to kill Nuradeen. Before Ramanamadathil Pilla and Raman Thambi can advance towards Shamsudden the battlefield is surrounded by Thirumukhathu Pilla and Prince Marthanda Varma's forces. The Thambi brothers and the Ettuveettil Pillas are arrested.

The next day, the prince conducts post funerary rituals for the king. He brings back his nephew, the little prince, and aunt, who were safeguarded by Keralavarma Koithampuran at Chembakassery. There, a joyful Parakutty awaits her lover Ananthapadmanabhan's return from the Pathan camp. A few days later, Marthanda Varma ascends the throne at Pathan camp. It is revealed that Ananthapadmanabhan was attacked two years ago by Velu Kuruppu at Panchavan forest when the he was on his way to aid the prince. He was rescued by the Pathan people. The king orders Ananthapadmanabhan to move Subhadra from her house to safeguard her from Kudamon Pilla, who the king has just released. Subhadra is at her house and sad due to the revelation about her ex-spouse. Kudamon Pilla arrives, catches her by the hair and is about to plunge his sword but Beeram Khan rushes in crying not to kill her. On hearing the voice of her ex-spouse and seeing him longing for her, she thanks god that she can even die. The sword falls on her neck. Before Kudamon Pilla can slay Beeram Khan, he is cut into two by Ananthapadmanabhan who has just arrived. On hearing the news, Marthanda Varma swears under his breath that he will seek vengeance on those responsible for the un-warranted deed of blood.

Three years later, Mangoikkal's house has been rebuilt. Ananthapadmanabhan heads Marthanda Varma’s forces in battles with Desinganadu and other kingdoms. He stays at Chembakassery with his family, including his daughter named Subhadra. Marthanda Varma earns fame as a protector of the people as well as a servant to Sreepadmanabha deity. The people celebrate.

Characters

Further information: Full list of characters from Marthandavarma (novel)

Main Characters

• Marthanda Varma / Yuvarajavu (Prince) – A young man between 20 and 25 years of age with a heroic attire. The rightful heir to the throne after the reign of King Rama Varma.
• Ananthapadmanabhan / Mad Channan / The Beggar / The Diglot / Dweller of Kasi / Shamsudeen – A young man of 22 years of age and an expert in disguise with superior fighting skills. He is the son of Thurumukhathu Pilla from his father’s relationship with another spouse following the relationship with Kudaman Pilla’s maternal niece. He is the half-brother (younger) of Subhadra.
• Subhadra / Chembakam Akka – The daughter of Thirumukhathu Pilla and Kundamon Pilla’s maternal niece. She is the half-sister of Ananthapadmanabhan. Subhadra is described as a woman of 25 years of age, who is as beautiful as a fairy. She was married to a relative of Kudamon Pilla, however they got separated after living together for six months as a relationship was forged between her and Padmanabhan Thambi.
• Shri Rayi Padmanabhan Thambi / Pappu Thambi – Elder son of the king Rama Varma. He yearns for beautiful women and has relationships with Sivakami and a parmaour of Ezhamkudi (Seventh house). He wants to become the next king, after the reign of his father, Rama Varma. He desires to have Subhadra and Parukutty in relationships.
• Sundrayyan / Pulamadan – The 40 year old son of a Brahmin from Madurai and a Marava lady. He is married to the niece of Kalakkutty.
• Parvathi Amma / Parvathi Pilla / Parukutty / Thankam – Daughter of Karthyayani Amma and Ugran Kazhakkoottathu Pilla. A 16 year old beauty of considerable height. She is in love with Ananthapadmanabhan.

Other Characters

• Velu Kuruppu – An ace fighter, swordsman, lancer, who is a loyalist of Padmanabhan Thambi.
• Mangoikkal Kuruppu / Iraviperuman Kandan Kumaran Kuruppu – Head of Mangoikkal family.
• Parameswaran Pilla – Attendant and constant companion of Prince Marthanda Varma.
• Shri Raman Thambi – Younger son of King Rama Varma.
• Thirumukhathu Pilla – The minister of the Kingdom. He is the father of Subhadra and Ananthapadmanabhan.
• Chulliyil Chadachi Marthandan Pilla – An ace archer, who serves Thirumukhathu Pilla, but take sides of Ettuveetil Pillas.
• Anantham – Maternal niece of Kalakkutty and wife of Sundarayyan.
• Kodanki / Palavesam – Sundarayyan's elder brother.
• Kaalakutty Pilla – Uncle of Anantham and messenger of Prince Marthanda Varma.
• Ettuveettil Pillas
  • Kudaman Pilla – One of the Ettuveettil Pillas. He is the nephew of Subhadra's grandmother.
  • Ramanamadathil Pilla – One of the Ettuveettil Pillas.
  • Kazhakkoottathu Pilla / Thevan Vikraman – One of the Ettuveettil Pillas. Intended to propose marriage with Parukutty, daughter of Ugran Kazhakkoottahtu Pilla, who was his maternal uncle.
  • Chembazhanthi Pilla / Thevan Nandi – One of the Ettuveettil Pillas.
  • Marthandan Thirumadathil Pilla – One of the Ettuveettil Pillas.
  • Venganoor Pilla – One of the Ettuveettil Pillas.
  • Pallichal Pilla – One of the Ettuveettil Pillas.
  • Ugran Kazhakkoottathu Pilla (Deceased) – Karthyayani Amma's late husband and the father of Parukutty. He is the maternal uncle of Thevan Vikraman Kazhakkoottathu Pilla.
• Karthyayani Amma / Karthyayani Pilla – Widowed wife of Ugran Kazhakkoottathu Pilla, she is the mother of Parukutty and younger sister of Chembakassery Mootha Pilla.
• Chembakasserry Mootha Pilla – Elder brother of Karthyayani Amma.
• Shanku Ashan – Caretaker of armory at Chembakassery. His parents were the previous armory care taker and a lady servant at Chembakassery.
• Beeram Khan – Maternal nephew of householder, who is a relative of Kudamon Pilla. He married Subhadra, with whom he breaks up after believing the false news about her relationships with other men, especially Padmanabhan Thambi. He later gets converted into Islam as Beeram Khan and marries Fathima.
• Azim Ud-Dowla Khan / Hakkim – A traditional medicine specialist, who is the paternal uncle of Fathima, Nuradeen and Zulaikha.
• Raja Rama Varma – The ailing king, who is the father of Padmanabhan Thambi and Raman Thambi.
• Arumukham Pilla (Dalawa) – The prime minister of the kingdom.
• Ramayyan (Rayasakkaran) – The ministerial official, who helps the prince during the search for Mangoikkal Kuruppu.
• Narayanayyan – Royal servant who leads the men sent from Kilimanoor in support of Marthanda Varma.
• Aruveettukar – A powerful and rich family and their men, who are supportive to Thirumukhathu Pilla.
• Shankarachar – Main Nair servant of Subhadra. He gets killed while trying to save Marthand Varma from Velu Kuruppu.
• Pappu – A servant of Subhadra.
• Fathima – Elder daughter of Hakkim’s younger brother and Ayisha. Sister of Zulaikha and Nuradeen. She married Beeram Khan.
• Zulaikha – Younger daughter of Hakkim’s younger brother and Ayisha. Sister of Fathima and Nuradeen. She cares for Ananthapadmanabhan as she loves him as Shamsudeen.
• Nuradeen – Son of Hakkim’s younger brother and Ayisha. Brother of Fathima and Zulaikha. He marries a beautiful lady.
• Usman Khan – One who act as steward at the camp of Hakkim.
• Kochu Velu – Mangoikkal Kuruppu's youngest maternal nephew.
• Krishna Kuruppu / Kittan – Mangoikkal Kuruppu's eldest maternal nephew.
• Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma – Little prince.

Character relations

Character relationships
Legend descent adoption spouse relation 1, 2 spouse relation order <Character> Character not present during the time-line of novel <Character> Character gets killed during the time-line of novel <Character> Character dies during the time-line of novel <Character> Character deceased on or before Kollavarsham 903 (1727)  › characters continued in the sequel, Dharmaraja » characters continued in the sequels, Dharmaraja and Ramarajabahadur Matrilineal Nair Family Matrilineally Kudamon Matrilineally Chembakasserry Matrilineally Kazhakkoottam Mother Mother Daughter Daughter Mother Mother Unnamed House-holder Unnamed Lady Unnamed Lady Kudamon Pilla 1 Unnamed Lady Thirumukhathu Pilla 2 Unnamed Lady Chembakassery Mootha Pilla Karthyayani Amma Ugran Kazhakoottathu Pilla Unnamed Lady 2 Fathima Unnamed Nair / Beeram Khan 1 Subhadra Anananthapadmanabhan› Unnamed Sister Parukutty Thevan Vikraman Pathan Father Subhadra Hakkim Son Zulaikha Ayisha Unnamed Lady Nuradeen Mother Kalakkutty Pilla Unnamed Lady Madurai Shasthri Marava Lady Matrilineally Mangoikkal Anantham Sundarayyan Kodanki Unnamed Ladies Mangoikkal Kuruppu Krishna Kuruppu Narayanan Kochakkachi Kochannan Komaran Velu› Matrilineally Ramanamadathil Mother Unnamed Lady Ramanamadathil Pilla Son» Venad / Travancore Matrilineal Royal Family Unnamed Lady Rama Varma Unnamed Lady Unnamed Lady Marthanda Varma Padmanabhan Thambi Raman Thambi Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma»
Notes:

Development

Background

C. V. Raman Pillai was introduced to historical fiction through the works of Sir Walter Scott and Alexandre Dumas during his days at Maharaja's College, Thiruvananthapuram; he did not graduate at first, as he did not complete his examinations, but instead went on an expedition and ended up at Hyderabad. There he stayed with some muslim people who suggested he marry a Muslim girl after proselytization to Islam. However, he returned home after realizing the worries of dear ones through one of the natives of his hometown whom he met at Hyderabad. The experiences during the expatriation were later put to use in his novel writing. After graduating in 1881, Pillai traveled to the southern provinces of Travancore with his friend P. Thanu Pillai, who was then the Tahsildar at Agastheeswaram during 1881–1882, and acquainted with the regional legends that he later adapted to his novel writings. In November 1887, Pillai had his second marriage to Bhageeridhi Amma, and subsequently moved to the house of spouse, the Keezheveedu at Perunthanni. N. Balakrishnan Nair quoted the words of Ms. Mukkalampattu Janaki Amma, who was a friend of Bhageeridhi; which state that the author moved to Keezheveedu with the preparations for Marthandavarma novel.

Composition

Mukkalampattu Janaki Amma remembers Bhageeridhi Amma telling her that before starting to write Marthandavarma, Pillai used to read English novels and take notes. P. K. Parameswaran Nair said that some days, the reading would go on until 03:00 hours. P. K. Parameswaran Nair further stated that while writing Marthandavarma, Pillai had difficulty sleeping and his constant betel chewing for every Nāḻika (24 minutes) instigated his writing. During the composition, Pillai’s spouse and Mukkalampattu Janaki Amma were amanuenses, whenever one of them was free. However, Ms. Thazhamadathu Janaki Amma, a neighbor, actually transcribed more for the author than either of them. According to P. K. Parameswaran Nair, C. V. Raman Pillai was in Madras during the end of 1889 to pursue the proceedings of law exams that he should appear. N. Balakrishnan Nair states that the author went to Madras after getting leave for six months from Kuṁbhaṁ 10, 1065 (February 20, 1890). C. V. Raman Pillai stayed with his group of friends, which included N. Raman Pillai and G. Parameswaran Pillai who where earlier expelled from Travancore. During this period, G. Parameswaran Pillai, who had discussions with barrister Eardley Norton, proposed to bring out a memorandum detailing the grievances of educated natives of Travancore, who are not considered for higher posts in government services at Trivandrum due to recruitment of expatriate Brahmins. C. V. Raman Pillai promised to get necessary signatures of supporters for the memorandum.

In January 1890, the Malayalam novel Indulekha was released and became a topic of discussion among the friends-circles in Madras. The instant fame of Indulekha and its author O. Chandumenon swayed C. V. Raman Pillai to complete his novel Marthandavarma. N. Balakrishnan Nair states an account of challenge raised by some Malabarians that whether there were any men in Travancore who could create a literary work as Indulekha, to which C. V. Raman Pillai reciprocated that he will prove it as affirmative. According to P. K. Parameswaran Nair, for almost two months from then, author was involved in the scripting of Marthandavarma. C. V. Raman Pillai, while involved in the discussions of memorandum, mentioned to G. Parameswaran Pillai that with the publication of his novel, Marthandavarma, people would be proud about their early history. Eventually he was not interested to pass the law examinations, as his main intention was to complete Marthandavarma novel and ready the manuscript for printing. C. V. Raman Pillai left for Trivandrum after he was entrusted to translate the memorandum to Malayalam. According N. Balakrishnan Nair, the author rejoined in his job on Ciṅṅaṁ 9, 1066 (August 23, 1890).

C. V. Raman Pillai continued the scripting of Marthandavarma at Trivandrum to have a printing draft, and he sent the completed chapters to his friend N. Raman Pillai at Madras, who in turn edited the same and made his own contributions to the manuscript. The author’s earlier experiences of having estranged from home, his life with Muslims at Hyderabad, having suggested converting to Islam and marry a Muslim girl were adapted to build the characterization of Shamsudeen and the descriptions of Pathan camp in the novel. He created the character of Karthyayani Amma as a reminiscence of his elder sister with the same name, and the attire of Velu Kuruppu was based on the outlook of K. C. Kesava Pillai. According to P. K. Parameswaran Nair, the scripting was winded up in six to seven months during when the editing and corrections in the manuscript were done by N. Raman Pillai, who intimated about those to C. V. Raman Pillai through letter transactions before passing the same to printing press.

Controversy over the period

P. K. Parameswaran Nair states that the consensus about the period of development of Marthandavarma novel is during 1890; however he also claimed that the author started writing Marthandavarma in 1883 and completed in 1885, which contradicts with his own statement that C. V. Raman Pillai thought about writing a novel only at the age of twenty-eight years which is by 1887. P. K. Parameswaran Nair purported his claim by quoting a remark from a private letter reportedly dated Māśi 1, 1059 (February 11, 1884) from P. Govinda Pillai to whom C. V. Raman Pillai supposedly showed early drafts of his novel. Dr. P. Venugopalan affirms that there is an earlier version of the novel, which N. Raman Pillai refers to in his letter to C. V. Raman Pillai regarding the character Subhadra as quoted by P. K. Parameswaran Nair. Dr. P. Venugopalan states that N. Raman Pillai listened to the oration of novel’s earlier manuscript while at Madras. The affirmation about the inclusion of Subhadra in the earlier version of novel brought out another contradiction to the claim of P. K. Parameswaran Nair with his own quotes from the words of C. V. Raman Pillai, which state that the author envisioned the character of Subhadra through his wife, Bhageeridhi Amma, whom he married only in November 1887. One of Pillai's later amanuenses, K. R. Prameswaran Pilla, quoted the author as saying that he started writing Marthandavarma while staying in Madras. N. Balakrishanan Nair notes that, Pillai made several visits to Madras with the particulars from N. Raman Pillai’s home, while G. Parameswaran Pillai and the latter were in Madras. Dr. George Irumbayam asked P. K. Parameswaran Nair about the existence of such a letter, who said that he had lost it. The claim of P. K. Parameswaran Nair and those who supported the same were concluded as attempts of fans of C. V. Raman Pillai, whom they wanted to cast as the first novelist of Malayalam literature, and Dr. George Irumbayam remarked that the fans went to the extent of not believing the words of the writer in the deliberation of their attempt.

Printing

P. K. Parameswaran Nair states that the proceedings with printers at Madras were initiated after the completion of novel writing, which contradicts his own statement about the completion of printing till 150 pages while quoting a letter from N. Raman Pillai, whose words indicate that the scripting was in progress. K. R. Parameswaran Pilla notes that the printing of the novel was started after the completion of third chapter. The printing was done at Messrs. Addison & Co., Madras, to whom the manuscripts were passed over by N. Raman Pillai. N. Balakrishnan Nair points that C. V. Raman Pillai went to hometown from Madras to arrange the money for printing, and during the time, he sent the manuscripts to N. Raman Pillai.

C. V. Raman Pillai was involved in the Malayalam translation of the memorandum proposed by G. Prameswaran Pillai titled then as Malayāḷi Memorial followed by the printing and getting the signatures from supporters, and being involved in the activities, he fell short of money as some promised sponsors pulled out fearing an adverse reaction from Government. K. P. Sankara Menon and G. Parameswaran Pillai came to Trivandrum by the end of December 1890 for campaigning about the memorandum. C. V. Raman Pillai bore the expenses of their commutations and proceedings, and went on to sell his wife’s necklace to meet the requirements. The memorandum was eventually sent to the king on January 10, 1891 by K. P. Sankara Menon.

The financial crunch due to the situations put C. V. Raman Pillai in a difficulty that he could not meet the expenses to complete the printing of the remaining chapters as intended; so, he made a concise version and got it printed as part of twenty-sixth chapter, which thus became the final chapter of the novel. P. K. Parameswaran Nair states that there were three more chapters after the twenty-sixth chapter by referring to a letter from N. Raman Pillai, who came to know about the concise narration only after getting the printed copy as he had left to Thiruvananthapuram before the completion of printing, criticized the author regarding the same. According to N. Balakrishnan Nair, the concise version included in twenty-sixth chapter is an abridgement of two intended chapters. C. V. Raman Pillai states in the preamble that he wanted to have an annexure at the end of the novel.

Proofreading

When the printing was over, an advance reading copy was handed over to Kilimanoor Rajaraja Varma for proofreading, who in-turn pointed out the typographical errors which later made into an errata and added to the printing of further copies. During the proofreading, Rajaraja Varma informed C. V. Raman Pillai that some of author’s own way of expressing the Sanskrit words would be objected by Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran, however C. V. Raman Pillai did not allow those to be added to errata pointing that he did not fear criticism from literary autocrats.

Publication

Release

When printing of further copies with errata was over, C. V. Raman Pillai made a request for permission on April 13, 1891 to submit the first copy at royal palace, and subsequently the book was released on June 11, 1891 after presenting the first copy to Aswathi Thirunal Marthanda Varma, to whom the book is also dedicated to. Pillai sent two copies to Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran, one for the recipient and another for recipient’s wife, which was acknowledged in the recipients’ letter to the author dated June 24, 1891. N. Balakrishnan Nair states that author gave several copies of book as complimentary ones, out of the total 1000 copies printed. According to P. K. Parameswaran Nair, the publication of Marthandavarma was a great event in the history of Malayalam literature. The novel was the first of its kind in Malayalam literature, the release of the novel made Malayalam the sixth Indian language and first Dravidian language to have a novel in the genre of historical fiction, thus became the first historical novel of South India.

Revised edition

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Reprint editions

In 1911, Kulakkunnathu Raman Menon, who owned of B. V. Book Depot and Kamalalaya Printing Works, Trivandrum, acquired rights of the novel, to publish from his own publishing house. C. V. Raman Pillai did a revision for the new edition, in which he had replaced the edits of N. Raman Pillai in the first edition with his own. The author corrected the flaws in the usages of Sanskrit and Malayalam words, together with the change of phrases that are in line with the then usages of Malayalam. The changes included the removal of a precognitive narration about the death of Padmanabhan Thambi at Nagercoil, removal of reference to an earlier spouse of character Anantham prior to her relationship with Sundarayyan and removal of references to mistresses from Thanjavur. The copyrights of the novel were registered on August 11, 1911, and D. C. Kizhakemuri notes that the copyrights were reserved until December 31, 1972.

All the reprints of the novel available after 1911 are only of the revised edition. Sahitya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society (SPCS) alias Sahithya Pravarthaka Shakarana Sangham of Kottayam, Poorna Publications of Kozhikode, and D. C. Books of Kottayam started publishing their editions from 1973, 1983, and 1992 respectively to remain as the major publishers of the novel.

Translations

Marthandavarma has been translated into three languages, Tamil, English and Hindi as five different versions, among which two were in Tamil another two, were in English and one incomplete translation was in Hindi.

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Translation titles

• 1936: Marthanda Varma (English) - The first English translation by B. K. Menon was published by Kamalalaya Book Depot, Trivandrum in 1936, and was republished by Sahitya Akademi in 1998 after a revision by the daughter of B. K. Menon, Prema Jayakumar.
• 1954: மார்த்தாண்ட வர்மா (Mārttāṇḍa Varmā, Tamil) - The first translation of the novel in Tamil was by O. Krishna Pillai. It was published by Kamalalaya Book Depot, Trivandrum.
• 1979: Marthanda Varma (English) - The second English translation by R. Leela Devi was published by Sterling Publishers, New Delhi. A reprint by the same publisher was released in 1984.
• 1990: मार्ताण्ड वर्मा (Mārtāṇḍa Varmā, Hindi) - Kunnukuzhy Krishnankutty has done the Hindi translation, which was serialized and left incomplete in the editions of journal Kēraḷ Jyōti from Kerala Hindi Prachar Sabha, Thiruvananthapuram during June 1990 to December 1990.
• 2007: மார்த்தாண்ட வர்ம்மா (Mārttāṇḍa Varmmā, Tamil) - The second Tamil translation of the novel by P. Padmanabhan Thambi was published by Sahitya Akademi.

Reception

The novel received positive to mixed response, being the first historical novel of Malayalam literature and south India. Prof. Guptan Nair notes that the literary work was hailed as a masterpiece.

Critical reception

In the review appeared on The Hindu, Madras edition dated December 21, 1891, the novel is mentioned as a respectable specimen what an Indian graduate is capable of accomplishing in the department of fiction. P. Thanu Pillai rated the novel as a rare and valuable addition to the literature of Malayalam. Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran and Kodungallur Kunjikkuttan Thampuran ranked the novel as better than the heretofore-released novels in Malayalam. Kilimanoor Ravi Varma Koil Thampuran remarked that he could not keep aside the novel once he started reading the book. P. Sundaram Pillai stated that he read the novel with so much pride. The review in The Hindu criticized the free usage of Sanskrit words, which will make novel to be enjoyed by the elite people and not the general readers. Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran criticized the inappropriate usages of Sanskrit words, among which some are remarked as unpardonable blunders.

General reception

When Marthandavarma was released, the people of Trivandrum devoured it. N. Balakrishnan Nair notes that the release of novel was celebrated like a literary festival at Trivandrum. Though the novel became the topic of discussion in cottages, elite circles, clubs and law courts, the sale of book was very poor. The author did not even get the required revenue to pay the printing costs, and at one point of time, he took one hundred numbers of unsold books as a bundle to his elder brother, who was then the Tehsildar at Muvattupuzha and demanded one hundred rupees. C. V. Raman Pillai had sent unsold copies of the novel to P. Ayyappan Pillai, the then Education Secretary and to his friend P. Thanu Pillai, the then Manager of Huzur Court (Court of Appeal) at their respective offices, to have those sold. N. Balakrishnan Nair notes that the remaining copies among the one thousand numbers of first print were damaged due to infestation by termites. The general reading people slowly accepted the novel and, the author went on to release five more editions until 1911.

Reception of revised edition

The revised edition of the novel, published in 1911 by Kulalakkunnathu Raman Menon's publishing house, received overwhelming positive response and became one of the best sellers of the period. N. Balakrishnan Nair notes that the sale of book was similar to that of Adhyatma Ramayana and by 1951 Kamalalaya Book Depot released the 25^th edition. Dr. P. Venugopalan states that it’s not doubtful that Marthandavarma is the most sold book in Malayalam.

Theme

In the preamble, Pillai states that he wrote the book with the intention of creating a model of historical romance in Malayalam. The novel is identified as a literary work done in the manner of historical romance, in which historical events of the eighteenth century serve as the skeleton of the story. The novel presents the events during Kollavarsham 901 to 906 (Gregorian Calendar: 1726–1731). The power struggle happened in Venad during 1729 is presented in dramatic style with variety of scenes and incidents often characterized by chivalric romance. The novel is also classified as a political novel as the story is about political struggle and the political interests of the author are shown in allegorical form. N. Balakrishnan Nair states that the novel is a love story built around a serious period in the history of Travancore. Prof. N. Krishna Pillai and Prof. V. Anandakuttan Nair state that the novel comprises three plots, among which the first one is the political theme about the power struggle between Marthanda Varma and opponents, the second is the romance of Ananthapadmanabhan and Parukutty, and the third is the tragedy of Subhadra. Dr. M. G. Sasibhooshan states that the plot consists of four sections, which are the above three together with the adventures of Marthanda Varma, and concordance of these sections made the novel as an exceptional literary work.

Style

The novel is presented in twenty-six chapters describing the historical events, and each chapter is provided with an epigraph in the form of verses that implies the content of the respective chapter. Prof. N. Krishna Pillai and Prof. V. Anandakuttan Nair point that the major events of the novel take place during Kollavarsham 903–904 (Gregorian Calendar: 1728), within a span of twenty-eight days, among which only eleven days are explicitly presented through the chapters from two to twenty-six. A night during the Kollavarsham 901 is presented in chapter one and a consolidated set of events until Kollavarsham 906 is narrated in the final chapter. The novel switches to earlier periods, 1680s, 1703, 1720 while describing the backgrounds of Sundarayyan and Subhadra, marriage and breakup of Subhadra, and the relationship of Ananthapadmanabhan and Parukutty. Prof. Thumpamon Thomas points that the narration is as small water streams that eventually form into a waterfall similar to the strands in a twisted rope made of coir. The historical narrations in the romantic setup are often aided with realistic aspects through the dialogues of characters. The novel imparts a feel of mystery as that in a detective fiction and been noted for having two characters as heroes. The novel is identified as an incident-rich work interlaced with fast-paced events during the period of a well-known historical personality, there by possessing the most required aspect of a historical novel.

Intertextuality and allusions

The novel has a rich focus on intertextuality, making regular references and homages to both Indian subcontinent and Western literary traditions, histories and cultures. These sections provide a limited overview of the most important references and allusions in the novel and links to more thorough examinations of the allusions and intertextuality used throughout the novel.

Characters based on legends, history and real life

Template:Details3 The novel presents characters with allusions to personalities from history, legends and personal life of author. To list a few, the characters such as Marthanda Varma, Padmanabhan Thambi, Raman Thambi, Ananthapadmanabahan, the King Rama Varma, Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma, Royal Mother (Ammattampurāṭṭi), Ettuveetttil Pillas, Ramayyan, Naryanayyan, Arumukham Pilla, Mangoikkal Kuruppu, Chulliyil Chadachi Marthandan Pilla are based on personalities respectively as listed below.

Marthanda Varma

Ananthan

Dharmaraja

Ramayyan

• Marthanda Varma
• Pappu Thambi, elder son of Rama Varma.
• Raman Thambi, younger son of Rama Varma.
• Ananthan or Ananthapadmanabhan, a warrior and commander in Travancore forces during the reign of Marthanda Varma.
• Rajah Rama Varma
• Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma
• Queen of Attingal, mother of Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma
• Ettuveettil Pillamar
• Ramayyan Dalawa
• Narayanayyan, an assistant of Ramayyan.
• Arumukham Pilla, the acting Dalawa of Venad during Kollavarsham 901–903 and Dalawa during 904–909.
• Mangottu Assan, a martial arts master from Mancode.
• Chadachi Marthandan, a legendary character based in Chulliyur.

Events based on legends, history and politics

The novel explicitly mentions about the pact with Madurai Nayaks made by king Rama Varma in Kollavarsham 901 at Tiruchirappalli to supply additional forces to Travancore for a fixed annual payment. The novel mentions to the lethal attempt on attempt on Marthanda Varma at Kalliyankattu temple, and also refers to similar attempts at Panathara, near the Ezhava house at Perunkadavila, and the Nedumangad fort. The novel narrates an attempt by Velu Kuruppu and his men, when Marthanda Varma is aided by mad Channan to hide inside a tree implying the aid by a Channan plougher to hide and another attempt where Marthanda Varma hides inside the big hole within a jack tree at the Neyyattinkara Sree Krishna Swami Temple. The novel makes references to other historical events shown below.

• Lethal attempt on Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma
• Heirship claim by Thambi brothers
• Treaty of Thambi brothers with foreign forces
• Council of Ettuveettil Pillas
• Coup attempt by Thambi brothers
• Accession of Marthanda Varma
• Illness and demise of king Rama Varma
• Detention of Arumukham Pilla
• Conquest of Desiganadu
• Death of Padmanabhan Thambi
• Kalipankulam incident
• Conquest of Mukilan
• Tragedy of Iravikutti Pilla

Architecture and geography

Template:Details3 Venad is mentioned as the kingdom in which the events of novel take place; in the novel, the king Rama Varma is referred as the ruler of Venad. Aralvaimozhi is referred as Āṟāṁvaḻi, the south-eastern border of Venad, through which the traitorous criminals are exiled from the kingdom. Edava or Idava is mentioned as the north-western boundary of Venad, through which Sundarayyan proposes to exile the people of Channar clan. The major events of the novel happen at and around Padmanabhapuram and Thiruvananthapuram.

Padmanabhapuram area
The novel describes Padmanabhapuram as an earlier capital of Thiruvithamkodu state, and the locality is maintained as a royal adobe.

The main locations around Padmanabhapuram, where the events in the novel happens are Padmanabhapuram Palace, Charottu palace, and Mangoikkal house. According to M. G. Sasibooshan, only the Darbhakulam mansion and the Kalkulam mansion of Padmanabhapuram Palace were existed during the timeline of novel. The novel presents only the residence existed at the place of present southern mansion on the northern side of the contemporary palace. Prince Marthada Varma halts there on his way to Boothapandi and later Padmanabhan Thambi camps there, after which fifty numbers of Channar people were executed at the palace compound. Charottu palace is a royal residence existed at Charode, which is a locality near to Padmanabhapuram. According to Dr. P. Venugopalan, Charottu palace existed 2 miles (3.218688 km) north to Padmanabhapuram palace. The novel describes the Charottu palace as a small one which consists of a quadrangular homestead (Nalukettu) and a cookhouse (Madapalli) surrounded by a compound wall with doors on the eastern and southern portions. The prince Marthanda Varma and his aide Parameswaran Pilla reside here after evading from Padmanabhan Thambi at Padmanabhapuram palace through the tunnel passage. The novel states about the dungeon existed within the Padmanabhapuram palace compound. The dungeon is described to have a room twenty feet below the ground level; where the mad Channan is locked up. The dungeon also leads to an underground tunnel, which further goes down from the floor level of the dungeon and the passage leads to an upward stair that lead to the door to a small room. The door on the roof of the small room opens to a room inside of Charottu palace. Dr. P. Venugopalan states that the closed tunnel passage between Padmanabhapuram palace and Charottu palace had access from the Tāikoṭṭāraṁ (Mother’s mansion) at the former palace, and cites its closed existence.

Mangoikkal house in the novel is described to be 2 Nazhika north to Charode, and the road to Padmanabhapuram exists on its northern side. The southern side of the house is a grove, from where at a half Nazhika distance is a thicket, through which mad Channan reaches Mangoikkal house to rescue the prince Marthanda Varma. The novel also mentions that the Mangoikkal kalari (martial arts school of Mangoikkal) is nearby and from where the men came to aid Mangoikkal Kuruppu and his nephews. The house name Mangoikkal is in reminiscence of house of Mangottu Assan at Mancode, a village in Vilavancode taluk of Kanniyakumari district, and the house name of author’s patron Kesavan Thambi Karyakkar, Nangoikkal.

The novel mentions that prince Marthanda Varma is cornered and trapped at Kalliancaud temple or Kaḷḷiyankāṭṭukṣētraṁ, from where, he is later escaped as a Brahmin. The temple is Kalliancaud Sivan Kovil, geographically located at 8°11'52"N 77°23'27"E. The novel mentions Panchavankadu or Panchavan forest as the place where Ananthapadmanabhan is attacked and left for dead by Velu Kuruppu and his team. It is only described that the forest area is on the way to Nagercoil from the residence of Ananthapadmanbhan’s mother and is nearer to the place where the Pathans, Hakkim and his group camped in Kollavarsham 901. Prof. N. Krishna Pilla and Prof. V. Anandakuttan Nair state that Panchavankadu and Kalliyankadu are the same.

Thiruvananthapuram area
Thiruvananthapuram is referred as the capital of the kingdom during the timeline of the novel. Dr. P. Venugopalan points that this is historically inaccurate as the capital was not changed from Padmanabhapuram to Thiruvananthapuram during the period.

The main locations around Thiruvananthapuram, where the events in the novel happens are Thiruvananthapuram fort, Subhadra's house, Killi river, and Manacaud. The main locations mentioned within the fort are Thiruvananthapuram palace, where king Rama Varma is bed ridden, Thekkekoyikkal, and Chembakassery house. Thekkekoyikkal or the southern mansion is the residence of prince Marthanda Varma within the fort premises. In the novel, it is presented that Velu Kuruppu tried to attack Marthada Varma, while the latter is on his way to the mansion, but attempt is foiled by the intervention of Shankarachar. In the novel, it is mentioned that Chembakassery house existed to the south-western side of the pathway to the Mithranandapuram temple from Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple. P. K. Parameswaran Nair assumes that Chembakassery house was never existed, but Mr. Parthan from Thiruvananthapuram states that the house existed and the author C. V. Raman Pillai was familiar with the same. The fort existed during the timeline of the novel was later rebuilt during Kollavarsham 922–928 and eventually demolished post the independence of India; a few remains of which are existed at the east fort in Thiruvananthapuram as property of Archeology department.

Subhadra's house is mentioned to be a few blocks north to the royal passage at Andiyirakkam. In the novel, it is mentioned that the pathway from Subhadra’s house to Valiyanalukettu through the royal street that crosses over the Killi river and on its over-bridge Sundarayyan and Ananthapadmanbhan fight to fall into the river. Manacaud or Manakadu is referred in the novel as the place where Pathan merchants are camped. Fighters of Mangoikkal also camp there, where their final confrontation with Thambi brothers and Ettuveettil Pillas take place.

Other areas

The novel mentions that prince Marthanda Varma and Ananthapadmanabhan were staying at Nagercoil in Kollovarsham 901, implying their stay at Nagercoil palace, which is an adobe of Venad royal family. The novel also mentions that Padmanabhan Thambi is killed by Marthanda Varma’s accomplices in a precognitive narration, statement about which is available only in the first (1891) edition of the novel. Nagercoil palace is geographically located at 8°10'45.7"N 77°25'27.1"E and being used as a Revenue Division office under the collectorate of Kanyakumari district.

The novel implicitly refers Eraniel palace as the place to where Marthanda Varma will be heading to raise the sword after the post-funeral rituals of the then late king. Eraniel palace is geographically located at 8°12'29"N 77°19'4"E.

Sociocultural practices

The novel presents that practices of Indian traditional medicine and Unani traditional medicine were prevailed in Venad during the timeline of the story. The novel states that Hakkim tried a kind of narcoanalysis on Ananthapadmanabhan after getting him drugged, to know the whereabouts of the latter however it did not yield any results. The novel refers to astrological practices, such as Prashnam vaypu, one of the astrological services that prevails in Kerala, and Natal astrology, which is referred when Shanku Assan says to Parukutty that chothirisham or jyothisham will not go wrong.

The novel remarks about superstitious customs prevail among the hindu religion followers such as Ūṭṭŭ or Kāḷiyūṭṭŭ, Pāṭṭŭ, Uruvaṁ Vaypŭ, Amman Koṭa, Cāvūṭṭŭ, Uccinakāḷi Sēva. The novel mentions that the people at palace opts to conduct occult acts by clergies, priests and magicians to extend the lifetime of the king. Thirumukhathu Pilla goes for paranormal retrocognition through Mashinottam, an Indian clairvoyant practice, to confirm about the rumors about the death of his son, Ananthapadmanabhan. Velu Kuruppu mentions about the sorcery done by a namboothiripad of Akavoor family by evoking protection on his armor shield by the incantation of seventy million Dhanwantharam, a set of hymns offered to Dhanvantari in order to safeguard from any ill luck.

The novel refers to the ideology of single god in Islam, mentions about Quran, states about Hindu religious practice of fasting on Mondays. The novel presents Beeram Khan as a converted Muslim, who was a Nair and ex-spouse of Subhadra; he married Fathima after proselytization to Islam, as he became a dependent of the Hakkim's family. In the novel, at one point of time Hakkim intended to proselytize Ananthapadmanabhan to Islam with the support of Usman Khan while the latter was unconscious as being drugged, but could not do so because Zulaikha opposed the act. The novel presents the miscegenation between a Shasthri (an aryan race) and a lady of Marvar caste (a dravidian race); whom are the parents of Sundarayyan and Kondanki.

In the novel, Padmanabhan Thambi is presented as philanderer, who keeps relationships with the paramours Kamalam, Sivakami, the mistress at the seventh house, and the unnamed female prostitute at Kottar. Subhadra mentions that he was after her since she was ten years old. So, Ananthapadmanabhan opposes the agreement of his father to the marriage proposal for his younger sister from Padmanabhan Thambi and when the proposal is cancelled, an enraged Sundarayyan says to Ananthapadmanabhan to keep an incestuous relationship with his younger sister; to which Ananthapadmanabhan makes a racist remark against Sundarayyan that "thān maṟavanaṭō" (hey! you are a Maravar). This further enrages Sundarayyan to favor the attack on Anathapadmanabhan at Panchavankadu, which starts the series of events in the novel.

The Venad royal family follows the heirship through Marumakkathayam, collateral descent through maternal nephews. In the novel, Sundarayyan points that the above system is opposed to the common system of heirship through Makkathayam, which is lineal descent through sons, and propose to raise the claim of throne for the elder son of the king Rama Varma, Padmanabhan Thambi, who at one point of time conveys his worry to Sunadarayyan about the latter system, which will bring his younger brother Raman Thambi against him. Ettuveettil Pillas pledge to make Padmanabhan Thambi as the next king by taking lethal actions against the prince Marthanda Varma, the legal heir to the kingdom, even though Ettuveettil Pillas follow the system of matrilineality with avuncular paterfamilias.

Writers and literature

Template:Details3 The novel explicitly mentions Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan, P. Shangoony Menon, Kunchan Nambiar as 'Kuñcan', and also refers Shankaracharyar as kēraḷēcārakaṟttāvŭ, which means the author of customs in Kerala, Venmani Achhan Nambudiripad as kavikulōttaṁsan (one at the crest of poets clan) and compares his lifetime to that of Sundarayyan.

Story-line adaptation
Template:Details3 The novel uses the references of Ettuveettil Pillas in the Sree Veera Marthandavarmacharitham Aattakatha, to form the characters and also uses the four-line verse about the same as epigraph to the eleventh chapter. The character of Sundarayyan in the novel is similar to the character of Pichakappalli in this Aattakatha. The situations in which Marthanda Varma escapes the attempts on his life by Thambi's men are in line with similar events mentioned in Marthandamahathmyam, a lyrical work written as a Kilippattu based on the stories about Marthanda Varma. The attack at Mangoikkal house by Padmanabhan Thambi's men in the novel is similar to the attack and eventual burning of Mangottu Assan’s house in Ottan Katha, one of the ballads of Venad based on the stories about Marthanda Varma. Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott is considered as the most influential work in the development of Marthandavarma. Like in Ivanhoe, the first chapter of the novel opens with the description of a forest, and every chapter opens with an epigraph similar to those in Scott’s books. M. P. Paul claims that the characters Marthanda Vama, Ananthapadmanabhan, Chulliyil Chadachi Marthandan Pilla are based on the characters from Ivanhoe, even though those are based on the history and legends of Venad.

M. P. Paul also claims that the situations involving either of mad Channan, Subhadra or Thirumukhathu Pilla are similar to situations in King Lear by William Shakespeare, the character of Shanku Assan is similar to that of Dominie Sampson in Guy Mannering by Sir Walter Scott. Dr. M. Leelavathy points that the character of Subhadra is prototyped from the Flora McIvor of Waverley by Sir Walter Scott.

Neelikatha (subplot)

According to Dr. P. Venugopalan, the story of Panchavankattu Neeli (Pañcavankāṭṭunīli, lit. Neeli of Pachavan forest) in the third chapter of novel is a combination of stories form the ballads Panchavankattu Neelikatha (Pañcavankāṭṭunīlikatha) and Neelikatha (Nīlikatha, lit. story of Neeli). Dr. Thikkurissi Gangadharan states that Kaḷḷiyankāttunīli (Neeli of Kalliyancaud) is changed to Pañcavankāṭṭunīli by the author of the novel.

Appropriations
Template:Details3 The novel heavily incorporates verses from Nalacharitham, Aattakatha (Day 1, Day 2, Day3, Day4) Adhyathmaramayanam Kilippattu, Sree Mahabharatham Kilippattu by Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan, Harishchandracharitham Aattakatha by Pettayil Raman Pilla Asan, Ravanavijayam Aattakatha by Vidwan Rajarajavarma Koi Tampuran of Kilimanur, Rukmineeswayamvaram Aattakatha by Aswathi Thirunal Ramavarma Thampuran, Kalakeyawadham Aattakatha by Kōṭṭayattŭ Tampuran, Bashanaishadham Champu by Mazhamangalam as epigraphs, as descriptions and quotations. The novel also draws verses from Kirmeerawadham Aattakatha by Kōṭṭayattŭ Tampuran, Subhadraharanam Aattakatha by Mantṟēṭattŭ Nampūtiri, Dakshayagam Aattakatha by Irayimman Thampi, Banayudham Aattakatha by Bālakavi Rāmaśāstrikaḷ, Keechakawadham Aattakatha by Irayimman Thampi, Rāmāyaṇaṁ (Irupattunālu vr̥ttaṁ), Ramayanam Vilpattu, Vethalacharitham Kilippattu by Kallēkuḷaṅṅara Rāghavapiṣāraṭi, Symanthakam Ottan Thullal by Kunchan Nambiar, Krishnarjunavijayam Thullal, Kuchelavritham Vanchipattu by Ramapurathu Varrier. The novel also comprises verses from ballads Neelikatha, Ponnarithal Katha, Mavaratham, and Iravikuttipillaporu.

Languages

Template:Details3 The novel mentions the languages, Malayalam, Tamil and Hindustani, among which the former one is used primarily for the narration with the adopted words from Tamil, Sanskrit, English, Hindustani, Persian and a conversation in a substitution cipher, Mulabhadra.

Malayalam is the primary language used in the novel, Sanskrit words are extensively used in the novel such as khādyapēyalēhyabhōjya (खाद्यपेयलेह्यभोज्य, ഖാദ്യപേയലേഹ്യഭോജ്യ, lit. chew-able, drinkable, lick-able, and eatable ), tējaḥpuñjaṁ (तेजःपुञ्ज, തേജഃപുഞ്ജ, lit. heap of ardour). Tamil words and prepositions are used in the statements of Shanku Assan, Anantham, Mangoikkal Kuruppu and in the narrations, among which, the Tamil word nāyaki (Tamil: நாயகி, Malayalam: നായകി, lit. spouse[feminine]) in the first edition of the novel is been replaced with the adapted one from sanskrit, nāyikā (Sanskrit: नायिका, lit. the lady who leads) as the malayalam version nāyika (Malayalam: നായിക, lit. heroine) in the second edition. The novel uses the word caittān which is a form of Hindustani word šaitān (Hindustani: शैतान, شیطون, lit. devil), and also uses the word bahadūṟ, a form of Hindustani word bahādur (Hindustani: बहादुर, بهادر, lit. brave). The novel makes a malayalam usage for the shawl used by Thirumukhathu Pilla as sālva, which is analogous to the English word shawl and the Persian version shāl (Persian: شال), and for the meaning of guard while referring to the posture of Chembakassery Mootha Pilla at the door of Parukutty's room, the novel uses a word gāṭṭ akin to the obsolete form gard.

The novel uses the word kinkāb which is a form of word kinkhab, which stands for silk brocade with gold and silver designs and term is a conjoined form of kin kab originated or westernized from kam (Hindi: कम, lit. less) and khwab (Hindi: ख्वाब, lit. dream).

• Ambiguous usage – The novel presents the ambiguous usages of the term nazhika (Malayalam: നാഴിക, nāḻika), as a unit of measure for time and as a unit of measure for length. Nazhika¹ as a unit of measure for time is analogous to Ghaṭi and 1 Nazhika corresponds to 24 minutes. Nazhika² is a unit of measure for length prevailed in yesteryear Kerala at different denominations such as 1 Nazhika = 1.828 kilometers and 1 Nazhika = 914.4 meters. The C. V. Vyakhyanakosam states that 1 Nazhika in the novel corresponds to approximately 1.5 kilometers.

Adaptations

Abridgement

• 1964: Marthandavarma – An abridged version by Kannan Janardhanan, published by Kamalalaya Book Depot.
• 1984: Kuttikalude Marthandavarma – An abridged version by Dr. M. M. Basheer, published by C. V. Raman Pillai National Foundation.
• 2011: Marthandavarma – An abridged version by Prof. P. Ramachandran Nair, published by D. C. Books with illustrations by Reji Karimulackal.
• 2012: Marthandavarma – An abridged version by Dr. V. Ramachandran, distributed through National Book Stall, Kottayam.

Comics

File:Maarthaanda-Varma-comics.png

Cover pages of comics titles

In 1985, Amar Chitra Katha comics of IBH Publishers Pvt. Ltd released an English comic book adaptation of novel. The thirty-two pages of comic book adaptation was scripted by Radha Nair, illustrated by M. Mohandas, had the cover art by Ramesh Umrotkar under the consultancy by Ram Waeerkar and editing by Anant Pai.

In 2007, the comic book adaptation was released in Malayalam by Balarama Amar Chithra Katha of Malayala Manorama group as Māṟttāṇḍavaṟmma. The title The Legend of Maathaanda Varma was later altered to Maarthaanda Varma and released in 2010 by Amar Chitra Katha Pvt. Ltd, and it was included in the comics-collection The Great Indian Classics.

Films

Marthanda Varma (1933)

• 1933: Marthanda Varma – a silent black & white film directed by P. V Rao.

Further information: Marthanda Varma (film)

The film released on May 12, 1933 to face litigation from the publishers of the novel during the period through a court order as the producer of the movie did not have the required rights, subsequently the film was retained by court authorities and imposed a stay on further screening of the film till the closure of legal proceedings which later went against the film producer. Thus, the film marked the first of its kind copyright case involving a literary work and a feature film in India by being a second feature film of Malayalam film industry and the novel being the first Malayalam literary work to adapt to a film from the same industry.

Kulam (1997)

• 1997: Kulam - a loose adaptation directed by Lenin Rajendran

Further information: Kulam (film)

The film released on Feb 21, 1997 through Ambadi Pictures, focuses only on the story of Subhadra, the pivotal character of the novel by exploring her marital and non-marital relationships finally to her murder by Kudamon Pilla.

Television

File:Veera Marthanda Varma TV Serial.jpg

Veera Marthanda Varma (2010)

• 2003: Marthanda Varma – A television serial directed by Suryan Chennithala. The telecast of the serial commenced on January 15, 2003 at 18:00 hours as an episode of 30 minutes on Doordarshan’s Thiruvananthapuram channel. The serial was abruptly discontinued after the telecast of fourth episode on March 3, 2003 due to non-agreement of terms between the producer and the television channel team.
• 2010: Veera Marthanda Varma – A television serial produced by Colosceum Media Pvt Ltd. The telecast commenced on July 19, 2010 through Surya TV as a daily serial on weekdays from Monday to Friday at 21:30 hours, which was later changed to weekend slot after the eighty third episode in November 2010. The telecast slots of the serial on Surya TV were intermittently skipped from March 2011 and eventually it was discontinued after the 128^th episode on May 21, 2011.
• 2014: Marthanda Varma – A television play based on the script of stage adaptation by Dr. P. Venugopalan and performed in 2013, with the same cast members who reprised their roles from the stage performance except for few including the replacement of Jiji Kalamandir by Vinayan for the role of mad Channan. The program was telecasted on March 27, 2014 at 15:30 hours through DD Malayalam, and it was re-telecasted as six episodes on Sundays from the following week.

File:Kannan Nair MV 2013 VJT Hall.jpg

Kannan Nair as Marthanda Varma

Theatre

Marthandavarma was first adapted for the theater in 1919 by Sree Chithira Thirunal Grandhasala. It featured an all male cast. Dr. N. Rajan Nair notes that Nair societies of Palkulangara, Vanchiyoor and Kunnukuzhy also staged theatre adaptations in early days. The cultural organization Kalavedi of Thiruvananthapuram forayed into theatre adaptations of Marthandavarma from 1957. Dr. N. Rajan Nair points that a stage performance of Marthandavarma once happened at Kozhikode and performances are happened at Delhi, Bombay and Madras under the respective Malayali associations.

• 2008: Marthanda Varma – A stage adaptation directed by Kaladharan staged on May 18, 2008 at VJT hall, Thiruvananthapuram under the banner of cultural organization, Rasika.
• 2013: Marthanda Varma – A stage adaptation staged on May 19, 2013 17:30 hours at Prof. N. Krishnapillai Foundation Theatre, Nandavanam under the banner of Kalavedi, Thiruvananthapuram.

Radio

• 1991–1992: Marthandavarma – A radio play produced by All India Radio, Thiruvananthapuram. The radio play was broadcast in 30 minutes episodes, every Wednesday at 21:30 hours from July 17, 1991 to January 1, 1992, and it was re-broadcast in 15-minute episodes from Monday to Saturday at 14:15 hours between January 20, 2014 and February 8, 2014.
• 2012: Subhadra – A radio program produced by All India Radio, Thiruvananthapuram. The radio play was broadcast in 30 minutes episodes, every Wednesday at 21:30 hours from November 28, 2012 to December 12, 2012.

Sequels

In the fame of Marthandavarma, C. V. Raman Pillai received so many requests from the youngsters to do another literary work based on the story of Raja Kesavadas. The author states that requests at times are unbearable, and decided to split the work into three parts as he felt creating a single narrative based on the subject will be an overload.

• 1913 : Dharmaraja – The story follows from the novel Marthandavarma with the return of Thripura Sunadari Kunjamma, the sister of Thevan Vikaraman Kazhakkoottathu Pilla and her granddaughter Meenakshi to Travancore and subsequent situations in which Kesava Pilla (young Kesavadas) gets involved with the proceedings of Chandrakaran, the son of Ramanamadathil Pilla and the emergence of Haripanchanan as the antagonist, who is later revealed by Ananthapadmanabhan to be one among the twins of Thripura Sunadari Kunjamma, Ugran, who plan to topple the kingdom.
• 1918 : Ramarajabahadur Part I – The story follows from Dharmaraja with the return of Chandrakaran as Manikyagoundan while Tipu Sultan is planning a march to Travancore for eventual conquer and presents cousin of Raja Kesavadas, Perinchakodan as main antagonist, who abducts Savithri, the daughter of Meenakshi.

File:CV Charithrkyayikakal Sampoornam.jpg

Trilogy

• 1919 : Ramarajabahadur Part II – The story follows from part I, with the failed meeting of Raja Kesavadas and the Ajithasimhan, the messenger of Tipu Sultan; that leads to war at Aluva between the Mysore forces and Travancore forces. The war is ended up with flood in the Periyar and eventual retreat of Tipu Sultan.

P. K. Parmeswaran Nair guesses that Diṣṭadaṁṣṭṟaṁ by C. V. Raman Pillai, serialized in the 1920 periodical Mitabhāṣi to incomplete is the follow up of above story. N. Balakrishnan Nair claims that C. V. Raman Pillai never wrote the third part of story based on Raja Kesavadas. Dr. Ayyappa Panicker, who analyzes the published texts of Diṣṭadaṁṣṭṟaṁ to find no historical or related references to above story line and concludes the claim of P. K. Parameswaran Nair as a mere assumption.

The above novels, Dharmaraja, Ramarajabahadur together with Marthandavarma are known as Si. Vi. Rāmanpiḷḷayuṭe Nōvaltṟayaṁ ([സി. വി. രാമൻപിള്ളയുടെ നോവൽത്രയം] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help), lit. C. V. Raman Pillai's Novel Trilogy), SiViyuṭe Ākhyāyikakaḷ ([സിവിയുടെ ആഖ്യായികകൾ] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help), lit. CV's Narratives), SiViyuṭe Caritṟākhyāyikakaḷ ([സിവിയുടെ ചരിത്രാഖ്യായികകൾ] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help), lit. CV's Historical Narratives) in Malayalam literature. In 2010, D. C. Books released a combined edition of three novels under title C. V. Ramanpillayute Charithrakhyayikakal Sampoornam ([സി. വി. രാമൻപിള്ളയുടെ ചരിത്രാഖ്യായികകൾ സമ്പൂർണ്ണം] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help), Si. Vi. Rāmanpiḷḷayuṭe Caritṟakhyāyikakaḷ Sampūṟṇṇaṁ, lit. C. V. Raman Pilla's Complete Historical Narratives).

Significance

Influence

The novel influenced the writers in Malayalam to attempt on the historical fiction. Dr. Kalpetta Balakrishnan notes that Rājaśēkaran by C. R. Velu Pillai has influence of Marthandavarma, same is the case of Nellimūṭṭile Nammuṭe Ammacci, and Taccil Māttu Tarakan of 1927 by K. M. Varghese. Śṟī Padmanābhadāsan (1936) by Vidwan Kesava Pillai, Kuññu Naṅṅa and Oru Ñeṭṭil Raṇṭu Pūkkaḷ by K. S. Nair Cherthala are later novels with the story timeline being the reign of Marthanda Varma. Kunjunni Mash stated that once he had written a novel after reading Marthandavarma at young age, but never published the same. The Malayalam writer, Paul Zacharia was influenced by the novel, Marthandavarma, which reportedly helped him to gain the ability to imagine a scene for his writing career.

• Kuñcuttampimāṟ, the historical novel by N. Parameswaran Pilla is presented as an unauthorized sequel to Marthandavarma, from which the characters Ananthapadmanabhan, Parukutty, Thirumukhathu Pilla, and Thambi brothers are narrated.
• Śītālakṣmi, the historical play by E. V. Krishna Pillai is also considered as an unauthorized sequel. In the play, Śītālakṣmi, the grandniece of Kudamon Pilla wows to take revenge on Ananthapadmanabhan with the help of Ananthakrishnan Thampi for the murder of the latter in Marthandavarma.

Academic usage

The literary significance of novel led the text of the novel to be used in school curriculum as original and abridged forms, and also been included in the course programs offered by various universities of south India.

• School curriculum – An abridged version of the novel is used as Malayalam II Reader / Malayāḷaṁ Upapāṭhapustakaṁ for Standard IX under Kerala State Education Board during 1977–1986. The chapter 24 of the novel was used as third chapter in Malayalam I Reader / Kēraḷa Pāṭhāvali of Standard X during 1987–2004 under the same education board.
• University curriculum – The novel is prescribed as study material for B.A. programmes in Malayalam offered by Kannur University (2014), Mahatma Gandhi University (1998, 2009), Pondicherry University (2010), University of Kerala (1977, 1991, 1997, 2004–2012). The text of the novel is prescribed for M.A. programmes in Malayalam offered by Madurai Kamaraj University (1998–2008), Mahatma Gandhi University (1991–1992), University of Kerala (1984, 1977–1992, 2007, 2012, 2013) and as a reference book or M.A. programme in Malayalam offered by University of Madras.

Relevance

Dr. Ayyappa Paniker notes that Marthandavarma has the highest position among the novels in Malayalam, particularly historical novels. The novel attracts new readers and researchers over the time and remains as the most popular historical novel in Malayalam, thus considered as one among the classics of Malayalam literature. Dr. K. M. George notes that though C. V. Raman Pillai wrote two more historical novels, Dharmaraja and Ramarajabahadur, the reception of Marthandavarma was unsurpassed. The romantic elements are more elegant in Marthandavarma than to the author's later historical novels, according to Dr. K. Raghavan Pillai. Prof. K. M. Tharakan notes that legends about Marthanda Varma are believable due to the presentation of romance cladded yesteryear history in the novel. Dr. George Irumbayam notes that the unexpected adventurous events in the novel are romantic where as historical events shows realism, and further states that the author united romantic elements with historical facts to make the narrative an excellent one.

The novel is also been the subject in the marketing of other historical novels. D. C. Books, in one of their advertisements for novel Atijīvanaṁ by Ettumanoor Somadasan, states that there would not be any Malayali who has not read the novel Marthandavarma.

See also

• Ettara Yogam

Notes

• Biographical notes

External links

• Marthanda Varma preview: Google books.