KOOTHU AND A CROCODILE IN MADAYIKAVU… KKR VENGARA

After the Koothu at Pandorikal Madayikavu, Chakyar and his group descended the hill and headed north via Vengara. Since there was no ferry on the banks of the Chempallikundu river, it was decided to go down the river and continue the journey. Chakyar, Nangyar and the group went into the river. At that time there was a nuisance of crocodiles in the river. They went into the river without knowing it. It is a time of trouble. Chakyar was attacked by a crocodile. He later clashed with the group. The helpless Chakyar prayed to Madaikavilamma with all his heart. The prayer was that if he was saved from the crocodile, he could go back immediately and offer Anguliyankam as a great offering to Thirunada.

Surprisingly, the crocodile let go of its grip. Chakyar and his group returned and performed Anguliyankam Koothu in the presence of Kavilamma. Chakyar rocked with perfect devotion and artistry.

Koothu has been performing in Madayikka every day from 7 am every day since the transition to the virgin month. The story of Hanuman going to Ashoka Forest and seeing Sita and offering the Anguliyam given by Lord Rama is played on that day. The venue will be beautifully decorated with bananas and other garlands on the day. In any case, it can be said that it was caused by a crocodile attack.

William Logan has stated in the Malabar Manual that in the past there were leopards in the rivers around Ezhimala. These lizards posed a great threat to fishermen and farmers. Many hunted them with folk guns. Logan also notes that at times the herd used to catch crocodiles with nets made of large ropes. The ancients had heard that there used to be crocodiles in the stream in the Kuloth compound near my house in Vengara. There was also the presence of a crocodile in Vadukunda lake.

Anyway, let's go back to Koothu. In Madayika, some rituals are performed for twelve months. The most important of these is the koothu of the virgin month. Koothu has a long history. It is said that this art form was born out of a tradition. Koothu's original form appears as an art form for spreading religious ideas through storytelling. Later Brahmanism conquered it. History has it that Koothu was modernized by Kulasekharaperumal, who ruled Kerala in the 10th century, and his companion comedian Tolan. It is said that we got this heritage through the old Tamil Nadu which includes Kerala.

Taliparamba Koothu was the headquarters of Perinchalloor in North Kerala. Today, Koothu is performed in many places like Kottiyoor and Karivellur. The clown has given a lot of freedom to the Koothu artist. In doing so, he often unleashed strong social criticism. This has led to the banning of many artists. Mani Madhava Chakyar was one of the greatest artists of all time in Kootharang.

I consider it a great privilege to have the opportunity to watch Madhavachakyar's match at the Madayikavu Stadium. Mani Madhava Chakyar was the eye-catcher for the world famous Kathakali teacher Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair who is also my native. The Mani family has inherited the right to perform koothu in Madayikavu. This right was transferred in the dowry system. Today, Koothu is performed in Madayikavu by Neelakanta Chakyar of this generation.

Although there are not many spectators, Koothu is performed here on the mornings of the month as a ritual. Those who walk through Madayipara can hear the echoes of Mizha during these mornings.