Kayamkulam Kochunni
Encyclopedia
Kochunni was a famed Highwayman
based in Kayamkulam
, active in Central Travancore
, India, in early 19th century. He is said to have stolen from the rich and given to the poor (like Robin Hood
). He had his intimate friend Ithikkarappakki from Ithikkara village on the shore of Ithikkara River
. Kochunni died in jail in 1859.
Kochunni was a devout Muslim going to the local Mosque
for Salah all five times a day.. It was because he had experienced abject poverty in his younger days that he developed an aversion to misers, moneylenders and landlords.
He was later arrested and died at Poojapura Central Jail.
Legends on his life are part of the Folklore of India
. The stories of Kochunni are compiled by Kottarathil Sankunni
in his collection of folklores "Aithihyamala
" (Garland of Legends).
A shrine dedicated to Kochunni is attached to Edappara Maladevar Nada Temple near Kozhencherry
that dates back more than one-and-a-half century. Local people have strong faith in Kochunni Nada at the temple and they offer candles, incense sticks, ganja, country-made liquor, betel leaves, pan, arecanut, tobacco, etc. to propitiate the deity.
Also there is a small museum at Varanappallil, an ancestral house
in Kayamkulam
for Kochunni. .
Highwayman
A highwayman was a thief and brigand who preyed on travellers. This type of outlaw, usually, travelled and robbed by horse, as compared to a footpad who traveled and robbed on foot. Mounted robbers were widely considered to be socially superior to footpads...
based in Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam is a town and a municipality in Alappuzha district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an ancient maritime trading centre. One of the largest power plants in Kerala, run by the NTPC, is located in Kayamkulam. Krishnapuram Palace is located nearby and an old cashew factory.Kayamkulam is...
, active in Central Travancore
Travancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
, India, in early 19th century. He is said to have stolen from the rich and given to the poor (like Robin Hood
Robin Hood
Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
). He had his intimate friend Ithikkarappakki from Ithikkara village on the shore of Ithikkara River
Ithikkara River
Ithikkara River is a 56 km long river in Kerala, India. It originates in Kulathhoopuzha hills in the western ghats flows through Kollam District, finally emptying into Paravur Kayal....
. Kochunni died in jail in 1859.
Kochunni was a devout Muslim going to the local Mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
for Salah all five times a day.. It was because he had experienced abject poverty in his younger days that he developed an aversion to misers, moneylenders and landlords.
He was later arrested and died at Poojapura Central Jail.
Legends on his life are part of the Folklore of India
Folklore of India
The folklore of India compasses the folklore of the nation of India and the Indian subcontinent.The subcontinent of India contains a wide diversity of ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups...
. The stories of Kochunni are compiled by Kottarathil Sankunni
Kottarathil Sankunni
Kottarathil Sankunni is a well known author of Malayalam literature, was born on 23 March 1855 in Kottayam, Travancore. He made huge contributions in both poetry and prose. He died on 22 July 1937. He started compiling the legends of Kerala in 1909 and completed the work in eight volumes over a...
in his collection of folklores "Aithihyamala
Aithihyamala
Aithiyamaala is a book of mythology or folklore of Kerala written in Malayalam by Kottarathil Sankunni. It depicts popular tales like those of the children of Vararuchi and Parayi , Kayamkulam Kochunni, Kadamattathu Kathanar among many others. The story of 12 children is commonly called Parayi...
" (Garland of Legends).
A shrine dedicated to Kochunni is attached to Edappara Maladevar Nada Temple near Kozhencherry
Kozhencherry
Kozhencherry is a small town in Pathanamthitta district of Central Travancore region in Kerala state, South India. It is on the banks of river Pampa. It is a commercial centre with many of the Banks and trade companies have their establishments here. It is believed that once the Kovilans of...
that dates back more than one-and-a-half century. Local people have strong faith in Kochunni Nada at the temple and they offer candles, incense sticks, ganja, country-made liquor, betel leaves, pan, arecanut, tobacco, etc. to propitiate the deity.
Also there is a small museum at Varanappallil, an ancestral house
Tharavadu
Tharavad is a system of joint family practised by people in Kerala, especially Nairs. Tharavadu was a legal entity like a Hindu Undivided Family as per Indian Income Tax laws, and was entitled to own properties. The others, like Namboothriris, Ezhavas, Christians and Muslims also now refer to...
in Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam is a town and a municipality in Alappuzha district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an ancient maritime trading centre. One of the largest power plants in Kerala, run by the NTPC, is located in Kayamkulam. Krishnapuram Palace is located nearby and an old cashew factory.Kayamkulam is...
for Kochunni. .
Media
- The movie Kayamkulam Kochunni was released in 1966 and was directed by P. A. Thomas. The movie cast includes SathyanSathyaneshan NadarManuel Sathyaneshan Nadar commonly known by his stage name Sathyan, was an Indian film actor known for his work in Malayalam cinema. He has won the Kerala State Film Award twice and is renowned for his acting skills...
, Adoor BhasiAdoor BhasiAdoor Bhasi was an Indian film actor and film director from Kerala. Adoor Bhasi was almost always cast as the man who stands next to the hero. His hilarious actions and roles became the cynosure of comic scenes in the Malayalam films of the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s. He is also famous for his...
and Thikkurissy Sukumaran NairThikkurissy Sukumaran NairThikkurissy Sukumaran Nair was a Malayali Indian poet, playwright, script writer, lyricist, orator, film director and actor, though he is best known as an actor in Malayalam cinema. He is the recipient of Padmashri from the Government of India, which is one of the highest civilian honours in India....
.
- Kayamkulam Kochunni, a TV serial, based on life of Kochunni was telecasted on Surya TVSurya TVSurya TV is a Malayalam television channel in India. Established in 1998 October 7, Surya TV is the first digital channel of India and now the channel is telecasted in MPEG4 format. The channel is in the second position among Malayalam channels. The channel is part of Sun Network and telecast...
. The role of Kochunni in his childhood was done by ManikuttanManikuttanThomas James, better known by his stage name, Manikuttan, is an Indian film and television actor.-Early life:He was born Thomas James in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. He attended St...
which paved his way to the movie industry later.