RESTING PLACE OF PAZHASSIRAJA

 In the 1980s, as a young boy, I harbored a fear of our Mathematics teacher and his punitive measures involving a stick. I was an ordinary student at the Government UP School in Mananthavady, commonly referred to as the Board School. Among my peers, there was a widespread belief that carrying a leaf from the Pazhassi tree would exempt us from punishment. Remarkably, this belief proved effective. Consequently, I was drawn to the nearby tomb site, which was in close proximity to our primary classroom, and this initial visit soon turned into an obsession. The site appeared desolate and intimidating to children, attracting only the bravest among us. Surrounded by dense greenery, the area featured a large Banyan tree that enveloped a tomb constructed from red laterite blocks, which could only be discerned upon closer inspection.

I learned  my reading skills at this Board School, a generous contribution from the British to this underdeveloped region. The first letters I recognized outside of school were on the large wooden display board of the archaeological department, which briefly details the cremation of Pazhassi. I still recall the text, which was in Malayalam and stated: The valiant heart of Kerala, Veera Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, rests here. He was killed in battle against the British on November 30, 1805, and his body was transported to Mananthavady by the British in Colonel Baber's palanquin, where it was cremated with full military honors.

On lunch breaks we frequently goes there, sometimes with the free school made pudding with Amrican Wheat – Upma in Malayalam in a plastic cover.  We would place wildflowers on the tomb and made sure to clean the area after our meal, mindful of the warnings from the older boys that Pazhassi might awaken from his slumber if we were too loud. The tree at the site was enormous, featuring a significant fissure on its left side that led to a small cave-like structure within the tomb. A couple of ten-year-old boys could easily fit inside this cave. We frequently observed small snakes and various creatures around the tomb and cave, yet only the overly adventurous, like my friends and me, dared to enter. One day, around 1983-84, while exploring the cave, I discovered two small sword-like objects embedded in the mud within the tomb wall. One measured about two feet in length with a sword-like handle, heavily rusted and covered in dust, while the other was a one-foot-long, thicker object resembling a large knife. Unfamiliar with their significance, we brought them to school and presented them to our headmaster, Mr. Balakrishnan, who agreed to store them in his office. The fate of those artifacts remains unknown to me.

I strongly believe that some Pazhassis followers kept them there.

When I matriculate, and in my early youth, the place is our groups gathering point up to midnights..We saw every portion of society is coming there either to spend an evening or to put flowers in the tomb. We welcomed everyone. The archeological department of local government posted one Manager and one Gardener there. The Gardener was a native of Travencore and seems doesn’t care about his job. We became friends and we couldn’t see the Manager. He used to come once in a month to collect the salary. Government planned to renovate the tomb place and made a small museum and put laterite wall around the tree and planted some local herbs and flowes. But sooner the big tree became dried up within one year and ultimately fell down. Being a nature lover, we feel badly. We the youth made a non governmental organization on environmental issues. We called it Green Lovers and I was the founder Advisor. We decided to plant a same type tree and after long search we got permission and planted the sapling. We put seeds of all available wild trees around the vacant land of the tomb. We also included lots of local seeds of jack fruits, mangoes, figs etc. The aim is to attract birds and small animals when they give fruits. But thanks to governments decision to renovate again the site, they started work and all our efforts were gone in vain. We also separated in course of time to seek a Job. Today Green lovers attached with Pazhassi Library working outstandingly.

An old structure established in 1929, located just down the road from Mananthavady town, served as the Pazhassi Raja Memorial Library. In the 1990s, I held a position as one of the office bearers there. The original building was eventually demolished to make way for a new commercial complex that now houses the library, which has since become one of the finest libraries in Wayanad. Although my college major was Pure Science, I developed a keen interest in local history and explored various books on the subject. I had previously sought out William Logan’s Malabar Manual but was unable to read it until recently.

Years later, I was assigned to Tellichery General Hospital by the government, located near the British factory. I began to view the surroundings with a fresh perspective; the church, fort, and even the playground captivated my interest. I yearned to revisit the historical narrative of the area. Utilizing various online resources and maps, I gathered information about notable locations. With this objective in mind, I explored the historical sites of Tellichery, including its old city and ancient structures, on my motorbike. I observed that, due to our climate's six months of heavy rainfall, many buildings deteriorate rapidly, while new constructions are emerging, providing substantial income for the local populace. I extended my search to Calicut, Beypore Faroke,Kannur, Darmapatanum, Darmodam, Valapatnam, Mahe, Peria, Kottiyoor etc. most of the route are familiar to me before, because I have to travel these areas with work related trips, for example I can travel Tellichery to Mananthavady (My home) through kathiroor, KOTTAYAM, Kannavam, Kottiyoor, Elapedika, Peria, Palchuram etc, all relevant to history. I visited some of the Nambiars houses and spent time with elders to grasp an idea of old days.
And search now continues.

The term displayed on that board left a lasting impression of the British in my childhood mind, radiating significance. Specifically, this individual transported the deceased body of Raja in a palanquin and interred it with due respect and traditional customs. I was struck by the manner in which these foreign individuals honored even their adversaries.