Odanadu Kingdom of Kayamkulam and Chekavar clan
Odanad Dynasty |Chekavar Kalaris | Family homes | Chekavarpada|
Kayamkulam can be described as Ezhavath Nadu in the sense of Ezhava Nadu.
Odanad was a princely kingdom north of Kollam (Desinganadu).
This kingdom consisted of parts of the present-day Chengannur, Mavelikara, Karunagappally and Kartikapally taluks. The first name of Kayamkulam was Odanad. Kings such as Raman Kothavarma, Raman Athichvarma and Ravivarma who ruled Odanad at various times are recorded in the edicts of Kandiyur and Haripad temples. In the 15th century, Odanad's headquarters were shifted to Eruva, near Kayamkulam. After that this country came to be known as Kayamkulam. Kayamkulam was a vast country with a long coastline. The country had good relations with the Portuguese and the Dutch. The area of Kayamkulam was increased by adding the neighboring kingdoms of Kathikapally and Karunagappally. Kayamkulam played a significant role in the alliance of the northern kingdoms against Marthandavarma. Kayamkulam was famous for the training centers of the fighters who fought for the security of the country. Most of them were Chekavar Kalaris. The Kalaris existed under the Channar|Panikar|Thandar castes of Chekavarkulam. It can be said that Odanad was an Ezhava country itself.
The Odanad dynasty was one of the most powerful military states in ancient Kerala. One of the strongest and bravest military forces, Kayamkulam provided lethal support to the surrounding regional states and helped them wage war against their rivals. The weapon was a "double-edged sword" called the Kayamkulam sword.
Patavettum Patinatha Panicker Lokanatha Panicker and others were the military commanders of Kayamkulam.
Marthanda Varma tried to conquer Kayamkulam or Onnadukara, but at first Kayamkulam was subdued by Venad. Marthanda Varma, the founder of Travancore Kingdom. In 1746, this region was captured and annexed to Venat.
Pure Malayalam is spoken by Kayamkulam or Onattukarakars.
Onattukara, Oadanad, later gained Brahmin rule. Subjugated through fraud. The direct wars happened because Chekavars were warriors themselves.. Satyam Dharma Rajya Bhakti Chekavar heroes who were full of these qualities served the country from every battle.
The power of Kayamkulam was destroyed by the Chekavars poisoning the kalaris with potachor, and endangering the Channar Panikans by filling their boats with gunpowder. Later, the Chekavar Kalaris and others came into possession with the help of Travancore.
Another Chekavar army built Travancore to crush the Chekavar army.
It was with the help of Papan Chekava, who was the general commander of Chempharanti Pillai, and Mokkad Kesava Chekava, who was the commander and Kalariguru of Kazhakutam Pillai. The Travancore army was led by Raghava Chekavar, the commander-in-chief of Samuthiri who was summoned by Pappan Chekavar. It was he who disintegrated Kayamkulam.
Pathinatha Chekavar, the chief of Kayamkulam, committed suicide because he was unable to save the country. Even today there is Pathinathachekavar Sthana temple in Varanapalli Tharavat.
Another was the Ramapuram Bhagavathy Temple [Ramapurathamma] in Oda Nadu (Kayamkulam Kingdom) [Oda Nadu Rulers] considered as the Rajya Devi Temple.
After stealing the Srichakra enshrined in Ramapurathamma's sanctum, (Thiruvithamkur Chati ).
Kayamkulam was conquered by Marthandavarma, the then king of Tripapur, and his chieftain [Dalava] Ramayan.
The absence of the supremely holy Sri Chakra made them powerless and paved the way for Marthandavarma to establish his supremacy. Kayamkulam dynasty.
[Chekavar Clan and Oda Nadu]
The Kayamkulam kingship was led by thousands of dead soldiers who had marched on the Chekavar kalaris. Similarly, many Chekavar soldiers from Chekavar kalaris like Varanapalli Kalari and Leykassery Kalari fought to the death to save the country when Chembakassery kingdom and Travancore tried to capture Kayamkulam.
These Chekavars used to go for military service from Kalari by pledging that they are ready to give their lives for the country. They were given two-headed sharp swords by the ancestors, which later came to be known as Kayamkulam swords.
(It was pounded and ripened and dipped in banana and the word was made accurate. (The size on the spine of the worshiper) Kayamkulamwal.. The pride of Kayamkulam land. The handiwork of Perumkollam and the blessing of God)
Those who were born in the Chekavar clan were those who did not fear death. They were mortal soldiers. Others were not accepted there. On the other hand, they were so strong.
Formed by the great King Kayamkulam, this Chekavar Pada was named Kundani Pada
[Old references to Kayamkulam]
There are many important references in the study of history about Odanad. In Tiruvallachepet (11th century) there is a mention of Odanadi and an important place there called Matta. (TASII 166; 171) Odanatu Variaiyal Chellum Tiruvilakontinu Vavum Patannelhundrempattu Parai (TASII 182) Matathi Paramechuvaran Choman Tantudaya Kirakaraipuraiyedam Thiruvalla Vazhapan to overthrow (TASIII 204).
It is more significant that there is another mention of Chennithala near Matta in the said copper plate. Chenthithalai feet Iraya Chekaran Amaicha Tiruvilakontinum........Pattanellu Nuruparai (TAS II 178). It can be assumed that these Chennithala Atis held power in Oda Nadu. It is also mentioned in the Unnuneeli message that Chennithala is the Madakari of Kandiyur.
Ancient records about Oda Nadu kings have been obtained from Kandiyur temple. Mr. W. A stone inscription dated 393 (A. D. 1218) mentions Iraman Kothavarma Tiruvadi at Sriveeraperumatta at Utai Chiramangalam of Odanad Varnnarula (T. A. S. I 290). Oda Nadu also appears in Aripatte stone inscriptions with no evidence to date; Oadanatu Vannaruliya Iravikeralan Tiruvadikamaith Atikarar ordered Haripaya Thevar to spend (T. A. S. VI 39). 14-15 hrs. Odanad is also mentioned in the literary works of Itikkootum Nikhilavibhavam Sedilethodanad (U. S. I 92) Odanad is a mandala pravaram Virajati (Unniyadi Gadyam 16) Padyaratnam and Chandratsavam; In the land of production, there is no end in sight. (Pydyaratnam. 3); Varavaravamanayanajanam, Odanatukara Vedamarnna, was deeply intrigued and came to Tharayerinaratha Vidhutsavae (Chandrotsavam: 4.38).
Now in the Haryakshamasamarotsavam, the countries of Odanad, Venad, Madathinkur and Chiravaswarupam are mentioned in such a way as to indicate their relationship. There are scanty references to Kayamkulam, a part of Oda Nadu, in Kerala. T. A. Some information about the Kandiyur year is available from some documents found and published by Gopinatha Rao from Kandiyur Shiva temple. Accordingly, Kandiyur year starts 2 years before Kolla year. The Kandiyur year, which started based on the establishment or renovation of the temple, is a proof of the importance of Odanad at that time.
The inscriptions recorded on the well stones in the Kannampalli temple are also proof of the monarchy
Odanad was blessed with wealth of art as well as with the abundance of riches. 22) Andu Naktam Kovita Nartaki Virachitam Natyam.... ... (If you see the pictures of deities on the walls of Kandiyure Palace, you will think that the deities who came to watch the dance performed by the dancers at night have forgotten to return even after nightfall) (Shivavilasa 1.9) and other literary references are proof. It can be assumed from this that the arts like literature, dance, song, sculpture, pile etc. were encouraged there. Kandiyur, Haripatte, Chakyarkooth and Mahabharata parayanam are the statements in this context. Even now the headquarters of KPAC is also Kayamkulam.
Ancient Buddhist ruins can also be seen in Oda Nadu, which was resplendent with great temples like Kandiyur, Haripad and mosques of Christians and Muslims. The churches in place names like Karunagappally, Karthikapally, Mainagapally, Puthupally etc. are Buddhist monuments. The ancient Buddhist idols still found at Karunagapalli and Mavelikkara provide further evidence on this point. The sight of horse-knotting in Karthikapalli Mahadevikad Valiyakulangara Devi Temple and Mavelikkara Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple is a reminder of Buddhism.
[Some Chekavar Kalaris have not given full names]
Channar Panikkar Kalari in the North (Highly Important)
Kandallur Kalari Channar Panicker Kalari
There were about 3000 Chekavar Pada in Kayamkulam.
Builders in Todiyur circle
Varanapalli Kalari (Lokanatha Chekavar|Pathinatha Chekavar family)
Channar Kalari in Alumoot
The floor will be painted
The information available from the inscriptions of the Chekavar families in Onattukara is that three thousand or more Chekavans came from each Kalari in these Kalaris every few years. At that time, the Ezhavas of Onattukara were mostly part of the Kalaris. Their way of life was the martial tradition.
Now there will be part-wise writings about Kalarikas on the next day.
Credit :- Family Histories
