Going back to know Thacholi Othenan

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The Thacholi Manikoth was once the residence of Thacholi Othenan, the legendary kalaripayattu warrior who lived in Kadathanadu during the 16th Century. Today there is no residence but a small temple dedicated to Thacholi Othenan, his nephew Kelu Kurup and his elder brother Komapa Kurup.

Othenan was known to have mastered all 19 moves of Kalari which was considered to be an incredible feat at such a young age. According to legend another celebrated kalari exponent, Kadirur Gurukal challenged Othenan for a duel. Both Othenan & Kadirur Gurukal were well versed in the art of Poozhikadakan which is a unique fighting technique where the warriors move so swiftly that it creates a whirlpool of dust around and the warriors fight in this haze. Othenan was able to defeat gurukal in the duel & his victory was celebrated by the people who planned a great hero’s welcome in his village. The celebration came to an abrupt end when Othenan was cunningly shot with a gun by Mayankutti who was one of the disciples of Gurukal. The wound was fatal & Othenan succumbed and died at the young age of 32.

The Northern Ballards – Vadakkupattu is a famous form of folklore still found in the northern Malabar area which highlights the valor stories of the Kadathanadu warriors. Thacholi Othenan was the finest among them and he still lives through these stories sung in temples & is certainly a tune to listen to.

The death of Othenan was avenged by Pulluvan whose temple is also in the compound. The Pulluvan Pattu which is still sung in the northern Malabar areas glorifies his story.

The traditional and ancestral Kalari still function in the compound which is named as Thacholi Othena Kurup Paithrika Kalari. It aims at training young talents in this venerated martial art. Inside the Kalari, you will find a raised platform with steps which is called Poothara where blessings of Devi Bhadrakali is sought. Be part of a session at the Kalari to see firsthand elegant movements of the human body. Here there is no gender bias as both boys & girls train together. The Thacholi Manikoth temple poojas are famous for their long duration. It lasts for 3 yanams and each yanam is around 3 hours. During the Kalari puja, people from all strata of society come here irrespective of class, religion, or ethnicity. The temple only opens once a month for the Sankrama pooja. The annual festival, called Thira Mahotsavam, is conducted in the Malayalam month of Kumbham, which falls in February-March.

For people of Kadathanadu Othenan is no less a God. Walk around the temple and seek blessings from one of the most loved warriors of the land.



#KozhikodeHeritage I #ThacholiOthenan I #Kalaripayattu 

Location: Vatakara, Kerala, India

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