Thursday 3 February 2011

Punnathur Manakkadan Raman

    Punnathur Manakkadan Raman had lived during the Malayalam Era 959 and 1033 (AD 1784-1858). Mother's family name was commonly used along with once name in Thalassery and the most other North Malabar areas. In the family name Punnathur Manakkadan, the first portion 'Punnathur' comes from his father’s family line and 'Manakkadan'from his mother’s family line. Punnathur Manakkadan Raman was born in a rich thiyya family and he was respected as a nattupramani in the place called Eranholi, which was belong to the former Kottayam Taluk (Malabar), Thalassery.


   Even though thiyyas were backward in the most of the other places in Kerala, it was not true in Thalasseri-Kannur area especially in North Malabar area. As Buddhism was one of the main religion in Kerala long before, many thiyya families knows Sanskrit those days. Raman,s home country Kottayam itself was one of the centres of learning and culture in that period.


   There had a thiyya king(North east side of Talipparamba) ruled in the neighbouring place of Eranholi. The Varakat Illam from where a Thiyya king Belong to Mannanar family in the Chirakkal region of Tellichery of Buddhist origins ruled. The Thiyyas of Varakat illam far from having any disability arising from untouchability, were permitted to enjoy all privileges of the higher castes and moved about in palanquins, carrying their swords and shields.


   Punathur Manakkadan Raman,having knowledge in puranas ,sankrit and kalari had an interest in Kathakali. Therefore he tried to develop his interest through his sons. Raman had three children named Manakkadan Kunhambu, Manakkadan Ravunni and Manakkadan Chathunni. The eldest son Manakkadan Kunhambu full filled his interest by becoming a Kathakali performer and a teacher.



Punathur Manakkadan died in the year 1858 from Eranholi.