Kayamkulam Kochunni

Last updated

Kayamkulam Kochunni
Bornc. 1818
Kottukulangara, Kayamkulam, Karthikapally Taluk, Travancore
Died1859 (aged 41) Travancore prison
1895/1896(aged 77)
Resting placePettah Juma Masjid, Thiruvananthapuram
MonumentsShrine at Edappara Maladevar Nada Temple, Kozhencherry
Occupations
  • Brigand
  • highwayman
Known forStealing from rich people and giving to the poor

Kayamkulam Kochunni (born c. 1818) was an outlaw from Kayamkulam, who lived during the late 19th century. He was active in the Travancore area in the present-day Kerala, India. He is said to have stolen from the rich and given to the poor. [1] Legends on his life are part of the folklore of Kerala. [2] His stories are often associated with his friend and fellow outlaw Ithikkara Pakki. [3] A shrine dedicated to Kochunni exist near Kozhencherry. [4]

Contents

History

Kayamkulam Kochunni was born in 1818, near Kottukulangara, Karthikapally Taluk in Travancore (present-day Kerala). He spent his childhood and younger ages in Evoor. After his father's death, the family fell into poverty and Kochunni was employed in a grocery store. Later he began stealing and became an outlaw. He was known for stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Kochunni was once caught by the officials after his lover betrayed him, he escaped and killed her along with her assistant. Following that he went into hiding, during which he stole the Shaligram belonging to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Ayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma was Travancore ruler, and T. Madhava Rao was the Diwan of Travancore at that time. Kochunni was accused of several thefts and two homicides. Both the palace and police officials failed to find Kochunni, after which a warrior, Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker, was enlisted with the task, who eventually captured him and submitted him to the Diwan. Panicker was honoured by the King. Kochunni was remanded for one year, and died in the Travancore jail in 1859. His remains were buried at the Pettah Juma Masjid. [5] According to historians, the Central Archives building in present-day Thiruvananthapuram was formerly a prison in the 19th century and is believed to be the first Travancore prison, which is likely where Kochunni was incarcerated. [6]

However, Kochunni's death is disputed. Another record cites he was imprisoned at Central Prison, Poojappura in his 70s. [7] Some researchers state that it was after the success of the 1966 film that the present account of his death (that he died in September 1859, aged 41) was popularized and dominated while the other account diminished, the movie used the former since it was more suitable for the film's commercial success. As per the other record, he escaped and lived another 36 years. He died at the age of 77 from Tuberculosis at the cow barn of Thoppil tharavadu (family of Thoppil Bhasi) in Vallikunnam. He was staying there undercover as a steward and farm-hand of the family. A woman from the house took care of him during his final days, who was the only one aware of his identity. [8]

During Kochunni's peak time, the Diwan ordered his capture. The then Tahsildar of Karthikapally Taluk managed to capture him with the help of one of Kochunni's confidant. But Kochunni escaped and killed his confidant and the policeman who arrested him. Later, Kunju Panicker was appointed as the Tahsildar. He sought the help of Kochunni's acquaintances Kochu Pillai, Kopparaparambil Mammad, Kaduvachery Vava, Kottappurathu Bappukunju, Pakkolathu Noorammadhu, and Valiyakulangara Kunjumarakkar. Kochunni was invited to Kochu Pillai's wife's home in Vazhappally and sedated him by drugging food. He was arrested, and while transporting him to Thiruvananthapuram through Kayamkulam backwaters, he regained sense and managed to escape by leaping into the water. It is said that Kochunni was in hideout at Pathanamthitta and Punalur after that and to have returned to Kayamkulam during his final period, and shortly after moved to a secure hideout at Thoppil family. While another of the same account states he was successfully transported to Thiruvananthapuram, incarcerated and hanged after 91 days (in 1859 at the age of 41) and his remains to have buried at the Pettah Juma Masjid. However, there is no documentation about his sentencing in state's jail records or in the Mathilakam documents. [8]

Legacy

A shrine dedicated to Kochunni is attached to Edappara Maladevar Nada Temple near Kozhencherry that dates back more than one and a half centuries. People there offer candles, incense sticks, ganja, country-made liquor, betel leaves, pan, areca nut, tobacco, etc. to propitiate the deity. [3] There is a small museum at Varanappallil, an ancestral house in Kayamkulam for Kochunni. [2]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alappuzha district</span> District in Kerala, India

Alappuzha district, is one of the 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala. It was formed as Alleppey district on 17 August 1957, the name of the district being changed to Alappuzha in 1990. Alappuzha is the smallest district of Kerala. Alleppey town, the district headquarters, was renamed Alappuzha in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Highwayman</span> Archaic term for a mounted robber who steals from travelers

A highwayman was a robber who stole from travellers. This type of thief usually travelled and robbed by horse as compared to a footpad who travelled and robbed on foot; mounted highwaymen were widely considered to be socially superior to footpads. Such criminals operated until the mid- or late 19th century. Highwaywomen, such as Katherine Ferrers, were said to also exist, often dressing as men, especially in fiction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kottarathil Sankunni</span> Indian writer of Malayalam literature

Kottarathil Sankunni was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature. Best known as the author of Aithihyamala, an eight-volume compilation of century-old legends about Kerala, Sankunni's writings cover prose and poetry, including verses for Kathakali and Ottan Thullal. He was one of the founding members of Bhashaposhini Sabha founded by Kandathil Varghese Mappillai and was also involved with Bharata Vilasam Sabha, another literary initiative. He died on July 22, 1937.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. Sasikumar</span> Indian film director (1927-2014)

Nambiathusseril Varkey John, better known by his screen name Sasikumar, was an Indian film director who worked in Malayalam cinema. He has directed more than 141 films in his career which began in the mid-1960s. He is often referred to as Hitmaker Sasikumar due to the commercial success of his films. In 2012, he was awarded the J. C. Daniel Award, Kerala government's highest honour for contributions to Malayalam cinema

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manikuttan</span> Indian actor (born 1986)

Thomas James, better known by his stage name Manikuttan, is an Indian actor who works primarily in the Malayalam film industry. He is known for his role as Kayamkulam Kochunni in the 2004 television serial of the same title. He was the part of the Kerala Strikers team in Celebrity Cricket League for several years. He is the title winner of Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 3 in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thekkumkur</span> Kingdom in Kerala from 1103 to 1750

The Kingdom of Thekkumkur was an independent kingdom in the southern part of Kerala in India from 1103 CE until 1750 CE. It was ruled by the Thekkumkur Royal Family. Thekkumkur lies between the Meenachil River and the Pamba River, from the Western Ghats to the Vembanad Kayal. Thekkumkur emerged as a result of administrative changes in the princely states at the end of the Chera Kulasekhara dynasty of Mahodayapuram. The literal meaning of the title is the southern regent and the attribute southern distinguished them from another kingdom known as Vadakkumkur which bordered it in the northern side. The royal household, Thekkumkur Kovilakam, were at Vennimala and Manikandapuram near Puthuppally, later it shifted to Neerazhi Palace at Puzhavathu of Changanassery and Thalilkotta at Thaliyanthanapuram (Kottayam).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker</span> Social reformer and warrior in Kerala (1825–1874)

Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker, also known as Kallisseril Velayudha Perumal, was a 19th-century social reformer and warrior, known for his fight against many social evils prevalent in the state of Kerala. He was born into an affluent Ezhava family known as Kallisseril, in the small independent province called Mangalam, near Haripad in Alappuzha district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elavumthitta</span> Town in Kerala, India

Elavumthitta is a town in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. The majority of its inhabitants are from Hindu and Christian backgrounds. The primary crops are rubber, coconut, black pepper and plantain. The terrain is hilly with plenty of paddy fields in between. It is the commercial centre of Mezhuveli and Chenneerkara panchayaths.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K. S. Neelakantan Unni</span>

K. S. Neelakantan Unni (1895-1980) was a renowned Malayalam writer and Sanskrit scholar - translator from Kerala, India. He was born into a family called Kavil Madam in a village Olassa in Kottayam District of Kerala, India. This family is associated to the ThekkumKoor royal dynasty as their Asan or Guru

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edavela Babu</span> Indian actor

Ammanath Babu Chandran, better known by his stage name Edavela Babu, is an Indian actor who appears in the Malayalam cinema. He made his acting debut in 1982 with Idavela, from which he got his stage name. Since then, he has worked in over 200 films. Babu has served as General Secretary of Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). Currently, he is a part of the Indian National Congress political party.

Aithihyamala or Ithihyamala is a collection of century-old stories from Kerala that cover a vast spectrum of life, famous persons and events. It is a collection of legends numbering over a hundred, about magicians and yakshis, feudal rulers and conceited poets, kalari or Kalaripayattu experts, practitioners of Ayurveda and courtiers; elephants and their mahouts, tantric experts.

<i>Kayamkulam Kochunni</i> (1966 film) 1966 Indian film

Kayamkulam Kochunni is a 1966 Indian Malayalam-language period drama film written, produced and directed by P. A. Thomas. Dialogues were written by Jagathy N. K. Achary. It is based on the life of the 19th century thief Kayamkulam Kochunni, who is known for stealing from rich and giving to poor. The film stars Sathyan, Adoor Bhasi and Ushakumari and K. J. Yesudas. The soundtrack was composed by B. A. Chidambaranath. Kayamkulam Kochunni released on 29 July 1966 was a commercial success at the box office. Its sequel, Kaayamkulam Kochunniyude Makan, was released in 1976.

<i>Kayamkulam Kochunni</i> (2018 film) 2018 film directed by Rosshan Andrrews

Kayamkulam Kochunni is a 2018 Indian Malayalam-language period action film directed by Rosshan Andrrews and written by Bobby & Sanjay. It is based on the life of Kayamkulam Kochunni, a famed highwayman who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor during the British Raj in the early 19th century Central Travancore. The film stars Mohanlal in an extended cameo as Ithikkara pakki along with Nivin Pauly in the title role as Kayamkulam Kochunni. It also features Priya Anand, Sunny Wayne and Babu Antony in supporting roles.

Kayamkulam Kochunni was a famed Indian highwayman based in Kayamkulam in Travancore.

Ithikkara Pakki was an Indian outlaw who lived in the Travancore Kingdom in the 19th century. He is said to have plundered from the rich and distributed to the poor. Pakki, whose real name was Muhammad Abdul Khader, hails from Ithikkara village. He is said to have moved as swiftly as a bird or butterfly, meaning Pakki in Malayalam, hence he was known by the name Ithikkara Pakki.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avanangattilkalari Vishnumaya Temple</span> Hindu temple in Thrissur district, Kerala, India

Avanangattilkalari Sree Vishnumaya Temple is a Hindu temple at Peringottukara, Thrissur District, Kerala state, India. It is dedicated to the god Vishnumaya in Kerala. The god is known also by the names Chathan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trithala Maha Siva Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

Trithala Maha Siva Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is situated on the banks of the Bharathappuzha river at Thrithala of Palakkad District in Kerala state in India. References to this temple are found in Aithihyamala of Kottarathil Sankunni and many classics of Malayalam Literature. The place where the idol is worshiped in the temple resembles the addition of sand. Legend has it that the Shiva Linga was made by Agnihotri by using the sand from Bharathapuzha river. Anointing is not performed because it is a Shivling of sand. The Shivalinga sits slightly oblique, as the mother of Agnihotri held on to the force, there was a slight tilt. The temple is a part of the 108 famous Shiva temples in Kerala. According to historians, the Trithala Siva Temple, built in the 9th or 10th century, marks the transition from Chola to Pandya style architecture.

<i>Kayamkulam Kochunniyude Makan</i> (TV series) Indian Malayalam Television Series

Kayamkulam Kochunniyude Makan is an Indian Malayalam Television Series which aired on Surya TV and Streamed on Sun NXT from 12 December 2016 to 16 June 2017. It is sequel to 2004 TV series Kayamkulam Kochunni.

<i>Pathonpatham Noottandu</i> 2022 Indian film

Pathonpatham Noottandu is a 2022 Indian Malayalam-language period action film written and directed by Vinayan. Set in the 19th century Travancore, the story is based on the life of Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker, a warrior who fought against social injustices suffered by the lower caste. The film stars Siju Wilson and Kayadu Lohar, with Anoop Menon, Chemban Vinod Jose, Sudev Nair, Vishnu Vinay, and Senthil Krishna in supporting roles. The original score was composed by Santhosh Narayanan and songs by M. Jayachandran.

Unnithan is one of the aristocratic Nair caste surnames used mainly in the Travancore region of the present-day Indian state of Kerala.

References

  1. ↑ "Wikibooks Malayalam- Aithihyamala- Kayamkulam Kochunni". Wikibooks-Malayalam. 7 June 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  2. 1 2 Where a legendary Robin Hood played his tricks Archived 17 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine , Deccan Herald, 27 July 2008.
  3. 1 2 "Now, a shrine for Kayamkulam Kochunni". The Hindu . Chennai, India. 30 August 2007. Archived from the original on 10 March 2008.
  4. ↑ "Devotees have been flocking this Hindu temple for years to worship a Muslim Robin Hood". 3 January 2016.
  5. ↑ "കായംകുളം കൊച്ചുണ്ണി ഈ ഖബറിസ്ഥാനിലുറങ്ങുന്നു; കൊടുംകവർച്ചക്കാരന് 'ഖബർ' ഒരുക്കിയതിനു പിന്നിലുമുണ്ടൊരു കഥ". Vanitha (in Malayalam). 13 October 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  6. ↑ "Once a jail, now a place to store history". Deccan Chronicle. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  7. ↑ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (22 July 2018). "What went behind recreating the legend of Kayamkulam Kochunni". The Times of India . Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  8. 1 2 "കായംകുളം കൊച്ചുണ്ണി; അറിയപ്പെടാതെപോയ സത്യങ്ങള്‍". Janmabhumi (in Malayalam). 5 November 2016. Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  9. 1 2 Gopalakrishnan, Aswathy (10 October 2018). "Kayamkulam Kochunni: The Infamous Outlaw Who Has Inspired Many Works Of Art & The Latest Rosshan Andrrews Film". Silverscreenindia.com. Silverscreen Media. Retrieved 20 April 2020. The legend of Kayamkulam Kochunni is primarily sourced from Aithihyamala [garland of legends], a big fat book of stories that unevenly blends myths, historical facts and imagination, written by Kottarathil Sankunni in the early 20th century and first published in 1925.
  10. ↑ M. Mohandas ( w ,  a ),Radha M Nair ( w ), Anant Pai  ( ed ). Kochunni: The Highwayman with a Heart ,no. 794,p. 32(1 April 1978). Mumbai : Amar Chitra Katha , ISBN   9788184824940 .
  11. ↑ Vijayakumar, B. (29 May 2017). "Kayamkulam Kochunni: 1966". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 13 September 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  12. 1 2 "'Kayamkulam Kochuniyude Makan' on Surya TV". The Times of India. 14 December 2016.
  13. ↑ "Chamban Vinod Jose as Kayamkulam Kochunni in Vinayan's epic". Cinema Express. 27 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.