pitch deck of
CHEKON

This subject rooted in ethnic nativity has the potential for a wide global appeal.

Period Film. Kalarippayattu Martial Arts. Njadi-Jothsyam Mysticism.

Told from an Englishman's point of view.

Vadakkan-paattukal are songs from ancient Malabar about the heroic exploits of Chekavar (Kalarippyattu warriors) and their Ankam (duel to death) on the arena.

About how the ballads, through centuries (period 13th to 18th Century A.D.) have come down to us.

Chekavars were warriors trained in the kalaris of Malabar where kalarippayattu - the ancient Kerala martial arts, was taught. It is believed that they descend from a dozen clans from the island of Lanka, which were invited by local chieftains to settle down in Malabar. Disputes, in those times, were settled by duels.

A Chekavar’s profession was to duel to death on the arena against another Chevakar - for a price. It was a Chekavar’s dharma to accept a sponsor’s commission and step onto the arena to use his prowess against another chekava clansman for winning his sponsor’s cause. By defeating the one opposing him, a victorious Chevakar affirmed the dispute in favour of his sponsor … and thrashed the one who endorsed his opponent.

What were the disputes?

Family feuds, sibling rivalry, inheritance brawls, a slandered damsel asserting her chastity to her detractors, etc.

Ankam & Ankathattu (The Duel & the Stage)

Since the dawn of times, feuds leading to skirmishes leading to war, was the norm in all tribal settlements. As elsewhere in the world, this was true in Malabar also … till wisemen wanted to do something about it.

When two mighty egos clash and sword slashes spill-over onto the streets, it envelops not just the two prestige at stake … but also lives in the community as men rally towards the feuding camps … and, cycles of bloody wars of vendetta ensue. In hindsight, the wise saw a never ending trail of blood … some stretching over so many generations, that the combatants of a latter day even forgot the reason why the dispute had started in the first place!

So sometime during the turn of the first millennium, the wise village chieftains of Malabar found a practical way out. It was called the Ankam (duel to death). If at all two individuals or clans had an issue to be settled, they could sponsor two swordsmen - as proxy.

These swordsmen would fight a duel on an arena in front of the spectators (and the clan’s terraphims) till one was bloodied and fell down dead. Such clash of swords always happened on a stage erected in the temple courtyard - right under the eyes of the village deity to ensure that the outcome is divinely ordained and the righteous side emerges victorious.

Well, if not gods, at least an audience cheering the bloodsport … also the gratified Paanan (bard) who compose a new ballad on one more heroic exploit of his Chekava champion.

This bloody sport of Ankam was fought on a specially made elevated stage called Ankathattu, which of prescribed size, was made out of Tamarind planks and propped up on teak logs.

Chandu deploying the mythical poozhikkadakan – the dusty whirlwind.

Surrounded on all sides, swirling the urumi blade, he raised a blinding storm to envelope all contestants.

What the thronging spectators come to witness the poythu (brawl) saw next was … body parts flying out!

They were beholding the fabled kalarippayattu maneuver.

Chandu’s pièce de résistance

The Ballad sung by Naanu Paanar

The Narrative

A major ankam contest is about to take place.

The challenger to the reigning champion, bitten by a serpent on the way, arrives in a palanquin … and tumbles out dead!

Chandu was a mere spectator there ... a young kalari dropout, a chekava renegade.

He is pushed onto the stage to take the challenger’s place.

Chandu defeats the champion, chops his head … and flings it over the cheering crowd.

For the young scoundrel, that was only a beginning.

A series of such stunning victories ensued.

Lauded by illustrious ballads, The Legend of Chandu Chekavar was born.

In an undefeated reign of 12 years, Chandu’s arrogance grew. He offended many - the brothel madame, the feudal lords, the powerful of the land.

Demanding privilege, even his entourage antagonised the powerless peasants.

(continued ...)

Chandu’s masterstroke

Chandu rose up in the air and somersaulted to the rear of Kunjikannan.

Despite specific training imparted by Bojamma on this tactic of Chandu, the young challenger was caught off-guard.

But Kunjikannan recovered quickly and swung around with a dazzling swordplay. Once again Chandu kicked and launched himself high into the air. Anticipating the somersault towards his rear, Kunjikannan turned around.

But this time Chandu came down to the original spot.

Before Kunjikannan realised the mistake and turned around, Chandu’s sword-handle came crashing on his back.

Narrative (continued)

Chandu could have had his pick of any female in the land.

Still, his advances were warded off by a beautiful and noble woman.

While preparing for the next ankam, Chandu takes a hard look at his self … . and finds him beyond the peak of his prowess.

He had become opulent, wayward and decadent.

Yes! ... also an unworthy person in the eyes of a chaste woman.

(continued ...)

Unichaara, the chaste.

A fabulous dancer, many men coveted her.

But Unichaara was an epitome of chastity.

Chandu daringly entered her penn-maalika (women’s quarters).

Looking her in the eye, Chandu expressed his desire to mate with Unichaara.

But, the land’s fairest lady didn’t respond to Chandu’s amorous overture as in Naanu’s chronicles. Opening her chamber, Unichaara reverently escorted the lascivious trespasser out.

Sometime later, the brothel madam Bojamma slandered Unichaara's character.

At this vexing predicament, Chandu sent Unichaara a kuri-maanom (palm-leaf) proposal in secret.

”Allow me defend your virtue with an ankam against all your detractors ... and win.

… In return, you need consent to yield to me"

Pat came Unichaara’s reply ...

“The moment I accept to yield to you, I become blemished. Mother goddess, justly, should let you lose in the duel to death. ... or, maybe .... maybe you’d win.

You dare take that chance? Sure you would!

Oh, but I can’t. For, I care for your life”.

With this very intelligent reply, she had deftly parried his approach. Chandu realized that there do exist true gems among womanhood. And, though hero to the masses, it made him feel like a vermin.

Narrative (continued)

Then, Chandu has a nightmare … that he gets killed in the ankam!

Lacking in confidence, he decides to seek ‘the sword with his name on it’.

If he can get hold of it before the opponent does, he has his destiny safe in his hands!

Chandu seeks the destined weapon at historical/ landmark places.

He locates, gets hold of it and returns home.

(continued ...)

Swordsmith Agasthya Guru.

While a battle is ranging outside at Thirunaavaay,

Chandu sees the archaic man in a kiln making martial-arts weapons.

“This sword … would you wield it? … Burn, bury or brandish ... if it were in your hands?”

As the man says this, seeing a chavear (suicide) charge coming up, Chandu says ...

“I shall launch it at the horde … to go slice and sever their heads”.

The oldman mutters ...

“Hmmm … like the mythological Kalki ?

But, if you miss any of them, it will come around a boomerang … for your own head !!”

Narrative (continued)

Back home, Chandu is shocked to find that every townsfolk - the ones he had offended and even his erstwhile entourage is arrayed behind his opponent!

His opponent is a young chekavar. Come to avenge his father, it is the son of the champion he had first defeated 12 years ago.

Chandu finds his kalari deserted ... his supporters, disciples, attendants … all having left.

To his alarm he cannot find the destined weapon!

As he sits lonely and forlorn, there walks in somebody ...

There is a duality in the climax!

The Legend of Chandu Chekavar of 13th century A.D. is revealed in segments.
It happens when Naanu Paanar - a balladeer in the year 1930, is about to go to the gallows.
While Naanu sings it out, Percy Macqueen - the jailor at Vellore, writes it down.
The segments do not come in their chronological order. Hence the narrative is non-linear.

According to Naanu - the condemned balladeer, in the climax of the Legend of Chandu Chekavar, the brothel madam walks in to meet the forlorn hero and returns his purloined sword.

Here, Naanu Paanar (the ancestor) and Bojamma convince Chandu now that he is invincible, a Chekavar’s immortality is not in living a long life … but as a hero to make a mark and leave the world quickly.

Thus, Naanu sells Chandu an atrocious idea ...

"Deliver, graciously, the destined weapon onto your opponent’s hand!"

That would be a great finale to Chandu’s life! Naanu shall ensure that the ballad on Chandu,

by becoming an epic, will make Chandu immortal!

Chandu even betters the idea!

With no opponent standing, Chandu hurls the weapon. With the sword returning as boomerang.

Chandu commits self immolation. Here the condemned convict Naanu completes the narrative

that makes Chandu a Legend.

The text is handed over to Hon. C. Achutha Menon, Dean of Malayalam Dept., Madras University.

Menon whispers hoarsely

“…. This cannot be true! This seems purposely structured, so that the ballad becomes an epic. Somebody has altered it … Probably Naanu’s ancestor. Wonder whether Naanu knows the true version?”

Percy Macqueen stalls the hangman’s noose to beseech Naanu

With noose around his neck, plank about to fall from below his feet, Naanu reluctantly starts singing an alternative ending.

An alternative climax, is what Naanu sings

In this, As Chandu sits lonely and forlorn, there walks in the chaste woman, Unichaara.

She takes charge of his household.

For the next 20 days, while preparing him for the event, she becomes his trainer, masseur and sparring partner.

It is her martial arts skills that surprises Chandu the most.

An accomplished classical dancer, she may not have been trained a chevaka girl, … but her knowledge and abilities were top class … better than any trainer a duelist could wish for.