Advsunilnshah at 18:49, 15 January 2026

2026-01-15T18:49:29Z

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{{short description|Hindu god}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| image = Kathivanoor Veeran Theyyam 8.jpg
| caption = Kathivanoor Veeran Theyyam
| name = Kathivanoor Veeran
| god_of =
| affiliation = [[Hinduism]]
| mantra =
| weapon =
| consort =
| children =
| abode =
| mount =
| spouse = Chemmarathi
| region = [[North Malabar]], [[Kerala]], India
}}
[[File:Kathivanoor veeran korom.jpg|thumb|Kathivanoor Veeran, Korom, Payyannur]]
'''Kathivanoor Veeran''' (also known as the '''Mandhappan Chekavar'''<ref>{{cite book|last=K. k. N Kurup|year=1989|title=Samooham Charithram Samskaram|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tqVEAQAAIAAJ&q=%E0%B4%9A%E0%B5%87%E0%B4%95%E0%B4%B5%E0%B5%BB|publisher=Poorna Publication |page=73}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=M.V Nambhudhiri|title=Thottampattukal oru Padanam|year=1990|publisher=California books|page=246}}</ref>) is a deity worshiped in [[North Malabar]] region in [[Kerala]], India. The word 'Veeran' in Malayalam means 'Hero' in English. According to the legend, the Kathivanoor Veeran is apotheosis of [[Tiyyar|Thiyya]] warrior Mandappan Chekavar.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/theyyam-season-begins-in-northern-kerala-1.7993544 | title=Reviving tradition Theyyam season begins in northern Kerala | date=27 October 2022 }}</ref> Mandappan's life and his transformation into god are still active in the folklore of [[Kolathunadu]] region, and is practiced as [[theyyam]] in various temples in present-day [[Kannur district|Kannur]] and [[Kasaragod district|Kasaragod]] districts. Kathivanoor Veeran Theyyam is one of the most popular Theyyams in North Malabar.<ref name="Hindu">{{cite news |last1=Menon |first1=Anasuya |title=The tale of a much-loved hero |url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/the-tragic-tale-of-kathivanoor-veeran/article26396504.ece |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=28 February 2019 |language=en-IN}}</ref> Women of North Malabar region worship Kathivanoor Veeran to get a healthy husband.

==Legend==
'''Mandappan Chekavar'''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/theyyam-season-begins-in-northern-kerala-1.7993544 | title=Reviving tradition Theyyam season begins in northern Kerala| date=27 October 2022|publisher=Mathrubumi}}</ref> (also spelled as Mannappan) who later became the deity Kathivanoor Veeran was born to huge thiyya landlord Kumarappan of Mangad Methaliyillam house and Chaki Amma of Parakayillam house.<ref name="TOI">{{cite news |title=ആരാണീ കതിവനൂ‍‍ർ വീരൻ? കതിവനൂർ വീരൻ തെയ്യം വീഡിയോ കാണാം |url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/local-news/kasaragod/history-of-kathivanoor-veeran-theyyam/articleshow/87630467.cms?story=6 |work=Samayam Malayalam |publisher=Times of India |language=ml}}</ref> It is said that Mandappan, a resident of present-day Mangad in [[Kannur district]] was born with the blessings of goddess Chuzali.<ref name="TOI"/> He was skilled in martial arts, and wanted to become a warrior.<ref name="Manorama">{{cite news |title=For ethereal nights, walk with the Theyyams of Kannur |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/travel/kerala/2018/06/30/theyyams-kannur-kathivanoor-veeran.html |work=Manorama}}</ref> Instead of going to work, he hunted deer and quail in the woods with his friends.<ref name="chayilyam">{{cite web |title=About Kathivanor Veeran theyyam - malabar |url=https://chayilyam.com/kathivanoor-veeran-theyyam/ |website=chayilyam |date=5 March 2013 |access-date=9 February 2022 |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209060042/https://chayilyam.com/kathivanoor-veeran-theyyam/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Although Kumarappan forbids the family from giving rice and milk to his son, who is not working, mother Chaki secretly gave him rice out of love for his son. Kumarappan gets angry when he sees this and he breaks his son Mandappan's bow.<ref name="TOI"/>

[[File:Kathivanoor Veeran Theyyam at Mambalam, Kannur.webm|thumb|Kathivanoor Veeran Theyyam at Mambalam, Kannur]]

Saddened by this, Mandappan leaves home and joins his friends who are going to Kodagu hills for business. They give him alcohol and leave the place without taking him.<ref name="TOI"/> After waking up from his alcoholism, Mandappan wandered alone and finally reached his uncle's house in Kathivanoor. He starts living there, and over time, he gets half of his uncle's property.<ref name="TOI"/> On the advice of his aunt, he starts an oil business and in the meantime meets and marries Velarkot Chemmarathi.<ref name="TOI"/>

After starting to live in his wife's house, she used to quarrel with Mandappan, who was often late at home. On an unfortunate day, his last, he gets into a quarrel with her and she curses him for being late.<ref name="Manorama"/> When Mandappan heard that an army was coming from [[Kodagu Kingdom|Kodagu]] to attack his village, he took up arms, saluted the deities and went to war.<ref name="chayilyam"/> There was a fierce battle with the soldiers from Kodagu.

Mandappan was won the battle, but on his way back home he realizes that he has lost his pedestal ring and little finger during the battle.<ref name="TOI"/> Although his friends tried to hold him back, telling him never to go to the battlefield alone, he goes back to recover it. The fighters from Kodagu, who were in a state of defeat, deceitfully kill Mandappan on his return.<ref name="TOI"/> Chemmarathi waiting for Mandappan saw the pedestal ring and little finger fall on the banana leaf. Chemmarathi commits suicide by jumping into Mandappan's [[pyre]].<ref name="TOI"/>

When the uncle and son Annukkan return after their funeral, they see Mandappan and Chemmarathi who have become gods.<ref name="TOI"/> Mandappan Chekavar's Theyyam is performed for the first time in the presence of his uncle, who names the theyyam as Kathivanoor Veeran.<ref name="TOI"/> This is the myth behind Kathivanoor Veeran.

==Kathivanoor Veeran Theyyam==
[[File:Chemmarathi thara Kathivanoor Veeran.jpg|thumb|Chemmarathi thara]]
Kathivanur Veeran theyyam is characterized by its dynamic movement and flexibility.<ref name="TOI"/> This Theyyam is usually performed at night or in very early morning.<ref name="TOI"/> The specially prepared cell where Kathivanoor Veeran theyyam performs is made of banana and multi-colored dyes and sticks with fire and is known as ''Chemmarathi thara''.<ref name="TOI"/> The concept is that it is his wife Chemmarathi.<ref name="TOI"/> Its sixty-four cells are a reminder that Kathivanur Veeran's body was thrown into sixty-four pieces in the treachery of the Kodakars.<ref name="TOI"/> Theyyam's face art is known as ''Nakam Thazhthi Ezhuthu''.<ref name="TOI"/> There will be beards and mustaches in the face.<ref name="TOI"/>

[[File:Kathivanoor Veeran Thottam Pattu.mp3|thumb|Kathivanoor Veeran Thottam Pattu]]

Many girls of North Malabar region still worship Kathivanoor Veeran to get a healthy husband.<ref name="TOI"/> A Kathivannur Veeran Theyyam performer should be proficient in all subjects.<ref name="Theyyam">{{cite web |title=Kathivanoor Veeran Theyyam- കതിവനൂർ വീരൻ {{!}} Theyyam Kerala |url=https://theyyamkerala.in/kathivanoor-veeran-theyyam-story-malayalam/ |date=8 February 2020}}</ref> Visitors can ask any questions to the theyyam and the theyyam should give the right answer.<ref name="Theyyam"/>

==Works on Kathivanoor Veeran==
Kalady Sankaracharya College Malayalam Professor Lissie Mathew's book, ''Kathivanoor Veeran: Malakayariya Manushyan, Churamirangiya Daivam'' (literally means 'Kathivanoor Veeran:The man who climbed the hill, the god who descended the pass') {{ISBN|9788120042926}}, published by [[Kerala Bhasha Institute]], retraces Mandappan's transformation into the deity Kathivanoor veeran.<ref name="Hindu"/> Book is a textbook at [[Kannur University]], Kalady Sanskrit University and [[Mother Teresa Women's University]], Kodaikanal.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Namboodiri |first1=O. K. Narayanan |title=അക്ഷരങ്ങളുടെ കൈപിടിച്ച്‌... |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/kannur/kazhcha/1.3274871 |work=Mathrubhumi |language=en |archive-date=2022-02-09 |access-date=2022-02-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209070324/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/kannur/kazhcha/1.3274871 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The children's literature book ''Kathivanoor Veeran'' written by PRD regional deputy director E. V. Sugathan, and published by Kerala Balasahithya Institute was released on 17 October 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=പോരാട്ടങ്ങളുടെ ചരിത്രം പാഠ്യവിഷയമാകണം-മന്ത്രി എം വി ഗോവിന്ദന്‍ മാസ്റ്റര്‍ |url=https://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/ml/node/144155 |website=www.prd.kerala.gov.in}}</ref>

A film titled ''Kathivanur Veeran'' is being made under the banner of Sree Mookambika Communications, which was started by a group of Gulf Malayalees.<ref name="filmi"/> The film is expected to cost over 50 million Indian rupee is directed by Gireesh Kunnummal.<ref name="filmi"/> Rajmohan Neeleswaram and T Pavithran are writing the script.<ref name="filmi"/>
==In popular culture==
*[[Kaliyattam]] (1997) - The song that starts with ''Kathivannur Veerane'' in the 1997 movie tells the story of Kathivannur Veeran.<ref name="filmi">{{cite web |last1=Nath |first1=Ravi |title=തെയ്യത്തിന്റെ കഥയുമായി കതിവനൂര്‍ വീരന്‍ |url=https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/news/05-another-film-of-malabar-theyyam-aid0166.html |website=malayalam.filmibeat.com |language=ml |date=5 August 2011}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Kadangot Makkam]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Veeran, Kathivanoor}}
[[Category:Regional Hindu gods]]
[[Category:Theyyam]]
[[Category:Kerala folklore]]
[[Category:Hindu folk deities]]

Kathivanoor Veeran - Revision history

Advsunilnshah at 18:49, 15 January 2026