Perumthachan

For the Indian film of the same name, directed by Ajayan, see Perumthachan (film).

Perumthachan (പെരുന്തച്ചന്‍), also spelled as "Perunthchan" (പെരു - Peru/big, തച്ചന്‍ - thachan/craftsman), meaning the master carpenter or the master craftsman, is an honorific title that is used to refer to an ancient legendary carpenter (ആശാരി Aashari), architect, woodcarver and sculptor (stone/wood) from Kerala, India. However Perumthachan is an important figure in the folklore of Kerala and many a wondrous structure and architecture that still stand are attributed to him.

History and legend

A stone pillar at Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple (വാഴപ്പള്ളി ക്ഷേത്രം) which is attributed to Perumthachan with its four identical sides made using a dovetail joint trick which was only later understood.

Birth and related legends

Many legends of Perumthachan are seen in Aithihyamala, the compilation of legends and folklore of Kerala written by Kottarathil Sankunni. Given that Perumthachan was a Vishwakarma his biological parents were not craftsman, his biological father, vararuchi,was a scholar in the palace of vikramadhitya . He married a woman whom he beloved that she belonged to his cast but later he understood that she belonged to a lower cast. After their marriage, they set out on a long journey. During this time, the woman gave birth to twelve children. Each of them grew famous in their lives and many tales and lore were attributed, with them as the main cast. The eldest was Agnihothri, a Brahmin, whose place is Mezhathur in Thrithala. The others are Perumthachan (Master carpenter), Naranath Bhranthan (an eccentric philosopher who was perceived as a madman), Vayillakunnilappan (a child with no mouth, whom the mother wanted to keep with her) and so on.

Since Raman (രാമന്‍) was raised by parents who belonged to the Thachan, he mastered the art and science of carpentry, architecture, and sculpture to become a Perumthachan. He read the sacred texts and imbibed the ancient intellectual tradition. He was commissioned for many a great architectural project to build temples and palaces.

Legend of Temple Pond

Perumthachan was once assigned to construct a temple pond. But it so happened that a dispute arose among three Karakkars (local residents) of the place as to the shape of the pond to be constructed. One group wanted a rectangular pond, another a square pond and the third, a circular shape. Perumthachan agreed to construct a pond which would satisfy all the three conflicting demands. When the pond was constructed, the Karakkars from each of the sides were immensely pleased to see their desired shape for the pond. It was so because the original shape of the pond was none of these three but a highly irregular shape, which could create an illusion and fool the onlooker from each side.

The Shiva temple at Uliyannoor and the Valluvanad temples that still exist in Kerala are attributed to Perumthachan.

Panniyur Sri Varahamurthy Temple, situated in Palakkad district, Kerala preserve the chisel and measuring rod (muzhakkol) used by perumthachan.

Influence on art and culture

The story of Perumthachan has been a source of artistic expression for various people. It has been the basis for a great Malayalam dramatic monologue poem of the same name by G. Sankara Kurup. The legend of Perumthachan was also depicted in the 1991 Malayalam film Perumthachan masterfully performed by the acclaimed actor Thilakan. The movie script was written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by Ajayan and has won many prestigious accolades for its brilliant cinematography and direction.

See also

• Parayi petta panthirukulam

External links

• Details of Thachan caste
• Perumthachan on IMDb
• Article on the film 'Perumthachan'
• Aithihyamala-Perumthachan
• Pakkanar
• Chengannur Mahadeva Temple