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Kerala, with its picturesque landscapes and mysterious wildlife, is like paradise on Earth, offering an escape from urban monotony. Adding to its aesthetic beauty are the layers of culture oozing from every corner of the state. Be it the firewalking Theyyam performers in the north, the grandeur of temple festivals in central Kerala, the Jewish synagogue of Kochi, or the women martial legends of Malabar, every region carries within it an astonishing diversity of lore. But how did these traditions come to be?
Sreekumari Ramachandran, celebrated bilingual author and translator, brings forth these histories in her new book, The Forever Green Lore and Legends of Kerala.Weaving together forty stories and cultural practices, she documents nuanced histories, living traditions, and forgotten narratives that continue to shape Kerala's collective imagination.
An Excerpt from The Forever Green Lore and Legends of Kerala
In this short excerpt, Ramachandran turns to the legends of Kerala’s fearless women, highlighting their influence, strength, and the timeless stories that shape the land's cultural depth.
Woman Power of Erstwhile Kerala
The Nair and Thiyya women of Kerala were renowned for their beauty and grace, celebrated for their fair skin and lustrous black hair. While not typically educated alongside boys, they received a robust education from private tutors arranged by their families. Many excelled in Sanskrit, Manipravalam, Malayalam and arithmetic. They were also trained in music and the martial arts, including swordsmanship and the use of the urumi, a whip-like blade.
Their attire was elegant, featuring off-white garments with golden borders, and their hair was adorned with jasmine flowers. Gold jewellery, including necklaces like the nagapadam, kashumala, palakkamala, pulinakhamala, manimala and sharapolimala, remains fashionable today. Ear studs like thoda and jimukki, and bangles like kadakam and kappu, continue to be popular adornments.
These Kerala women were known for their boldness and confidence. They never veiled their faces and were considered sensible, intelligent and courageous, capable of navigating even the most challenging life circumstances. Their freedom of speech was unhindered, and their words held substantial sway over societal opinion.
I. Vattapparambil Valiyamma: An Epitome of Loyalty
In contemporary society, the importance of loyalty, truth and values seems to have diminished. Parental bonds are often overlooked. Fraternal conflicts are increasingly prevalent. And true friendship appears to be losing its significance. This is the enduring story of Vattapparambil Valiyamma, a Nair lady who was an epitome of loyalty.
Centuries ago, Kayamkulam flourished as an independent principality under the rule of its own king. However, its destiny intertwined with the mighty kingdom of Thiruvithamkur, ultimately leading to a merger.
This tale centres on the Vattapparambil family, a prominent Nair clan boasting close ties to the Kayamkulam royal court. Yet, fate dealt a cruel blow, and the family fell out of favour with the king.
Driven by necessity and a touch of defiance, the Vattapparambil clan, accompanied by loyal soldiers, embarked on a new chapter. They seized a vast expanse of land near Keerikkadu, establishing a formidable presence. A fortress rose from the ground, alongside a grand residence and temples dedicated to their ancestral deities.
Here, the Vattapparambil family carved out an independent existence, basking in luxury and wielding considerable power. While some branches remained in Kayamkulam as royal dependents, those who relocated to Keerikkadu severed ties with the king.
The king, despite his desire for retribution, hesitated to provoke the formidable Vattapparambil clan. Their military prowess and widespread popularity inspired a healthy respect, not to mention the fearsome private army they maintained for self-defence.
Thus, the Vattapparambil family ascended to the status of respected chieftains. Their residence within the fortress earned them a unique distinction: they became known as the Kottakkakathu family—the ‘family of the fortress’.
The Vattapparambil Family and the Thiruvithamkur Royals
The second half of the sixteenth and the first half of the eighteenth century witnessed a turbulent period in Thiruvithamkur, marked by internal strife. Powerful chieftains and nobles, including the Ettuveettil Pillais (a confederacy of eight prominent families), challenged the authority of the royal family. This led to the exile of many royals, including a pregnant princess who sought refuge in the Karippalil Palace in Harippad.
Among those who extended kindness to the displaced princess was the eldest female member of the Vattapparambil family. Despite her own royal lineage, the princess faced hardships. The compassionate Vattapparambil lady provided unwavering support, particularly in caring for the princess’s young son, the future King Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma (reigned 1758–1798).
When the young prince inquired about the benevolent lady, his mother, out of deep respect, introduced her as ‘Valiyamma’ (elder sister of mother), since the lady was older than the princess herself. This endearment, born from genuine affection, became a lifelong title for the eldest female member of the Vattapparambil family.
The bond between the families deepened further. Vattapparambil Valiyamma regularly visited the princess and her son, bringing gifts. The young prince would graciously accept these gifts and present them to his mother, a tradition that continued even after he ascended the throne.
This unique custom, where the princes of Thiruvithamkur received gifts directly from the ladies of the Vattapparambil family, evolved as a mark of respect and a testament to the enduring ties between the two families.
In the confines of Karippalil Palace, a young Prince Karthika Thirunal received his first lessons in the alphabet from his own mother. However, it was Vattapparambil Valiyamma who ensured that his education continued by finding him a capable teacher. Despite his royal birth, the prince’s early life bore a resemblance to that of an orphan. Yet, Vattapparambil Valiyamma’s unwavering support and care played a pivotal role in shaping Prince Karthika Thirunal’s destiny. To her, he was no different from her own son, and to him, she was a source of love and maternal guidance that transcended their blood ties.
Extracted with permission from Sreekumari Ramachandran's The Forever Green Lore and Legends of Kerala; published by Penguin Random House India.