The Chempil Thailamparambil Anantha Padmanabhan Valiya Arayan Kankumaran,[1] known as Chempil Arayan, was the Admiral of the Travancore Navy in the service of Avittam Thirunal Balarama Varma, King of Travancore.[2] He was born at Chempu, near Vaikom, in Kottayam, Kerala, India. He belong to the Koli caste of Kerala.[3][4] Chempil Arayan is recognised as first freedom fighter of South India.[5]
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Chempil Arayan was involved in the Travancore War under the command of Velu Thampi Dalawa in 1809; among other things he led an attack on Bolghatty Palace, the residence of the then Company Resident, Colin Macaulay. The Resident escaped narrowly with his life, eluding the attackers through a tunnel and fleeing in a small boat. The Arayan was later captured, and freed after the payment of a ransom; he died in battle against the forces of the Company.[6]
Chempil Arayan was well known for his naval exploits using the traditional Kerala boat known as the "Odi Vallam". Chempil Arayan's Nalukettu (Ancestral home) known as Thailamparampil House is in Chempu, Vaikom. The family members have preserved the Nalukettu and all the old artefacts used by Mr. Arayan including his sword and stone statue. Chempil Arayan's tomb is situated next to his ancestral home.
References
- ↑ Singer Anju Joseph's tryst with the age-old Bolgatty Palace in Ernakulam. www.onmanorama.com. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
- ↑ Air Signs: Relationship Problems. The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
- ↑ The Latin Catholics of Kerala: Communalism Versus Christian Charity{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Pellissery Publications(1993)
- ↑ The Mahadev Kolis{{#if:Ghurye|, Ghurye}. Popular Book Depot(1957)
- ↑ Book Kottayam Bus Tickets. www.keralalines.com. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
- ↑ ബ്രിട്ടീഷുകാരെ വിറപ്പിച്ച ചെമ്പില് അരയന്; രാജ്യം മറന്ന സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യ സമര പോരാളി, ഷാനവാസ്, എസ്. The Fourth. Retrieved 2022-11-29.