User:Aishwarya Krishnaveni

KAALIYAN ( KUNJIRAKOTTU KAALI NAIR )

Kaaliyan, originally Kunjirakottu Kaali is the warrior par exellence in the historic - ballads of Venad.

Kaaliyan is portrayed to as the confidant of Iravikutty Pillai chief of army of the Travancore King, in well known "Villu paatu" tradition( special performative singing with an ornate bow) in the south of Kerala. Iravikutty pillai was the chief minister and chief of army in royal durbar of King Ravi Varma (1603 - 1635).

The ferocious movement of Madurai ruler Thirumalan Naikan was effectively resisted by Iravikutty pillai with the consistent association of Kaaliyan. But at the battle of kaniyamkulam in 1635, Ramapayyan the chieftain of Thirumalan Naikan killed Iravikutty Pillai. At those critical moments of despair Kaaliyan emerged as the single warrior, who protected the nation's pride. We get to know his illustrious effort through the narrative songs of the land. Kaaliyan is the son of Nangeli Pillai who belongs to the border area of present day Thiruvananthapuram, Thenga pattanam, in Mathura Palli house, of Kanjirakottu region, at Keezhkulathu Cheri. Thirumalan Naikan Honoured the valour of kaaliyan who singlehandedly confronted the emperor of Madurai. There are mentions about Kaali Nair  in the song "Iravikutty Porkatha". It is believed that Thakala in the border of Thiruvananthapuram  (shortened from Tharkkulai- "suicide" in Tamil)is the place where Kaali Nair attained his martyrdom.