Putumanna Kandaru Menon
Encyclopedia
Putumanna Kandaru Menon was a Nair
Chaver (Suicide attack
er) hailing from the Putumanna Panikkar
family who died during the 1766 Mamankam
. At the time of his death, he was 16 years old (the age at which Nair
s complete their Kalari
or military training. During the Mamankam, Menon fought through the warriors of Zamorin and reached the "Nilapatuthara" (stage) and swung his sword at the Zamorin. The sword missed its target and hit a big bronze lamp, putting it out. At that moment, Mangatachan struck at Menon and killed him. That was the last "Mamankotsavam". The lamp going out was considered an ill omen. After his death, Menon's body was buried in a well (manikkinar) using an elephant.
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
Chaver (Suicide attack
Suicide attack
A suicide attack is a type of attack in which the attacker expects or intends to die in the process.- Historical :...
er) hailing from the Putumanna Panikkar
Putumanna Panikkar
Putumanna Panikkar is one of the most prominent Nair families in the Valluvanad area of Kerala. The Chavers from Valluvanad taking part in the Mamankam were always led by the Nairs from the Putumanna Panikkar family...
family who died during the 1766 Mamankam
Mamankam festival
Mamankam festival or Mamangam festival was an ancient festival celebrated in Thirunavaya, Malabar coast, south India, in the present day state of Kerala from the time of Kulasekharas in every 12 years until 18th century, mostly remembered for the bloody battles occurred during the festivals...
. At the time of his death, he was 16 years old (the age at which Nair
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
s complete their Kalari
Kalarippayattu
Kalaripayattu is a southern Indian martial art originating in Tamil Nadu but also practiced in contiguous parts of Kerala and Karnataka.Kalari payat includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods...
or military training. During the Mamankam, Menon fought through the warriors of Zamorin and reached the "Nilapatuthara" (stage) and swung his sword at the Zamorin. The sword missed its target and hit a big bronze lamp, putting it out. At that moment, Mangatachan struck at Menon and killed him. That was the last "Mamankotsavam". The lamp going out was considered an ill omen. After his death, Menon's body was buried in a well (manikkinar) using an elephant.