Vatuthala Nair is one of the 12 children of Vararuchi and Panchami in the famous folktale of Kerala, Parayipetta Panthirukulam. Vararuchi was a Brahman who adorned the court of Maharaja Vikramaditya of Ujjain and Panchami was a Paraya woman, according to Kerala caste hierarchy, she belonged to a lower category of caste called “Paraya”.Vaduthala Nair was adopted and raised by a Shudra family on the bank of Bharatapuzha (Nila) of Malappuram district. There is a belief that Kundully tharavad or family, a martial arts practitioners in Thrithala of Palakkad district found an abandoned boy and raised him. According to folktale, all 11 children of the Vararuchi and Panchami were abandoned by Panchami soon after the delivery upon the request of her husband Vararuchi. All these 11 children were taken by families from different caste and religion and grew child as the cast and religion of adoptive parents. Mezhathol Agnihothri, Pakkanar, Naranath Bhranthan, Uppukottan, Karakkalamma, Akavoor Chathan, Rajakan, Vallon, Pananar, Perumthachan, Vayillakunnilappan are the siblings of Vaduthala Nair.
Life of Vaduthala Nair
Kundully Tharavadu or family was a well-known for their martial arts skills and was also a martial art training centre. All students irrespective of their caste and religion, enrolled in Kundully Tharavadu. One day, Kundully Nair found a newborn baby, while returning after martial arts practice. He took the baby boy to his house and raised as his son. Vaduthala Nair acquired martial arts skills from his father and became an expert in martial arts. Vaduthala Nair inheritance enormous wealth from his father, as his father was a landlord with thousands of acres of land and many labourers.
Vaduthala Nair was a social reformer and a critique of caste system which was prevalent on those times as well as a protector of the poor. Vaduthala Nair used his martial arts skill to protect poor and needy people. Robbers and criminals always had feared of Vaduthala Nair.
Different story
There is another story about Vaduthala Nair which rejects the story that says he belonged to Parayipetta Panthirukulam. Mezhathol Agnihotri, first child of Vararuchi and Panchami, who was raised by a Brahmin family in Thrithala, hired a martial arts expert, Vaduthala Nair to protect his Pooja and yagas. Vaduthala is the name of a place in Ernakulam district. Some believe that Vaduthala Nair is a security to Mezhathol Agnihotri.
Miracles of Vaduthala Nair
Vaduthala Nair has been renowned for several acts that could not be explained by nature. There is a story which narrates he saved a Namboothiri and his servant from the robbers in the middle of jungle. Namboothiri and servant were leaving for a remote place through jungle and suddenly a group robbers attacked them and asked money. Namboothiri was about to give his all belongings to the robbers, but suddenly Vaduthala Nair appeared and saved them.
Story of Chanthu
Chanthu was a local burgler and he had a habit of stealing anything he wished. People were frightened of him to live. One day, Chanthu was standing in front of temple when Vaduthala Nair enters to the temple. Vaduthala Nair handed over all his expensive belongings to Chanthu, to keep it safe until he returns from temple. But Chanthu could not run away with the valuables and returned to Vaduthala Nair. Vaduthala Nair gifted all the things to Chanthu, and conversant Chanthu, thus abandoned his profession of burglary.
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