(English Subtitles)
A Northern legend of bravery
After fathers death this cellar was never opened
Yes, Mother told me that too
Uncle's battle dagger
Bamboo nail instead of iron nail
The treachery is hidden by gold coating
This is where the lamp rod was kept. See !
Mom told me uncle recorded it all on palm leaves, Aunt ?
"What can I say, Father"
"Of the Aringodan's play"
"He injured me no more than a seed could"
"But cousin Chandu, he did betray"
"Exhausted from the weariness of battle"
"On Chandu's lap, I lay "
"Lazily I closed my eyes"
"That moment, Chandu transformed"
"He took the lamp rod"
"and pointed it at me"
"When I snapped to my senses"
"Chandu had taken Aringodan's side"
"Oh Father, it was Chandu's treachery !"
"Oh Archa, it was Chandu's treachery!"
"Father, it was Chandu's treachery. Archa, it was Chandu's treachery"
Who's that?
Kunjunuli
Has Mattan come to test me in my old age?
Aromini arrived from Atumanmel. Ur grandson and Kannapunni are sparring.
Yes, let them play
After my son Aromal died, I havent heard the clang of a shortsword
Granddad, its me, Aromal Unni.
Where's Archa
Mom's lighting the lamp in outer compound
What's the meaning of these red marks and battle outfits?
Puturan and Atumanmel houses have no shortage of wealth, but we lack in men.
U kids neednt win us fame/wealth through battle. Ok?
But a debt remains unpaid, Dad.
Ur mom would say:Men of Puturan are shortlived as sacrifical goats. How true.
Who are u in search of ?
One who murdered his brother. He still lives on in Kolathiri.
I'm disgusted to speak his name.
At Karaparambu, Nambiars insulted my son in front of hundreds
"Avenge ur uncle first. Then speak of bravery" they said
He asked me about it, so I told him the stories.
Why did no one tell me of this treason?
Is it true u insisted Dad beg his cousin for help even when he mistrusted him?
Yes. Not just me. Everyone insisted.
I never thought he'd betray me. Me, who fed him from childhood.
Hope u haven't forgotten my oath
Sis-in-law, let Kanapan assist Aromal Unni.
Bless their quest, Father.
U want the Chekavars to be wiped out through revenge ?
Aromal Unni's spirit is unavenged, Dad.
The shortsword still trembles in the cellar, Dad.
I know how Kannapunni fights.
And u? Have u learnt the moves ?
I think so. He mastered advanced moves from a Tulunad school.
That's not enough to win battle, kids.
Archa. They cannot beat Chandu.
He must acknowledge Puturan house is still alive.
Is there a move u havent taught anyone, Dad?
This move depends on the enemy's anticipation.
When u begin the stance, he must assume he is safe.
That's the only way to win.
When his head falls, tell him I granted u this move.
He never expects someone to avenge Puturan house
Traitor Chandu
(Prays)
Respects to my Guru.
2 boys, waiting at the gate.
They insisted on 'personally meeting chekava warrior'
Didnt u tell them I stopped teaching long ago.
Have they come to learn, or teach me?
Dont know. They didnt tell their names or intentions.
Young men now try to earn fame by trying to beat Warrior Chandu.
I wont meet anyone. Close the gate.
It's not right for Chekava warriors to close doors on visitors.
We came to become ur disciples
We dont teach here. We teach at 17 other schools.
Where're u from? -Karuthenar
Oh, I know the place. Which house ? -Puturan house
Puturan. U are..?
Kanapunni, son of Aromal Chekavar
Would be easier if u told ur mother's name.
Aromal often 'granted' sons to 'lucky women' when he saw his chance.
My Dad has a single lawful wife: my mother, Kunjunuli
Oh, Kunjunuli's son. So the son from Mikavil would be ur senior.
His name? -Unni kannan
And u ?
His nephew. Atumanmel Kunjiramans son.
Son of Unni Archa eh.
Kids, u may return. I cant teach u more than what Elder Kanapan has.
How is he now ?
We didnt come to catch up. -Then?
To avenge ur murder of my uncle.
Brace urself, chekava !
Oh. Did ur Mom give u last advice?
No tips on how to face the murderous warrior ?
I recall she advised me when I assisted Aromal once.
She told me it is glory to die in battle.
Only UnniArcha can say that. Her tongue is anyday sharper than a sword.
Did she promise a glorious funeral clothed in silk?
Dramatic inspirational words are her forte.
Ur Dad can show-off his wife with the famous song:
"I'm a woman, but I tremble not. Why do u men cower?"
I pity ur dad Kunjiraman.
Keep insults for after the battle, Chandu uncle.
'Chandu uncle'
What do u know of the betrayals of 'traitor Chandu' - Plenty
"Chandu, who replaced the iron nail with bamboo. Bribed the blacksmith to hide it in gold"
"Chandu, who lied that he forgot the replacement sword"
"Chandu, who stabbed the tired warrior with a lamp body, and then jumped to his escape."
What other betrayals do the bards sing of in ur land? All u heard is true. And false.
Give them tender coconut and jaggery. Let the kids rest. And then leave.
I shall not fight.
'He who mastered all moves' is afraid ?
Our weapon is not a lamp. We wield a warriors weapon. Sword. And grand-dad's moves.
Does Chandu the warrior kill only sleeping warriors through cheating ?
He wont fight. Will u eat something? -Stop distracting us.
Are u still testing me, family deity ?
They said they dont want food, that's not what they came for.
Yes. They will not return without settling it. It's in their blood. They only recall how Aromal was beheaded by the unbeatable Aringodan.
U despise me too, isnt it, Kuttimani ?
No need. U always despise or fear me.
No, u've always been kind.
Kind? I'm sorry I replaced love with kindness for the last 18 years.U dont understand me either. No one does.
Not ur fault. Because I never gave u a chance. But I wish someone would understand me well now.
I was an orphan. At 5, my uncle adopted me. Now he too wants me beheaded.
I'd hoped all was forgotten. Now they come and put salt on the wound. The young generation now. Why ?
And they're blessed by my guru. My foster father. My..
Good of u to come help with the funeral, chekava
There's no one else to help, right.? I will take him.
Chekava offered to foster him when sis died., but he didnt agree.
He was stubborn. I know he was poor, but why should he fight the Malayan for 32 gold ?
The dead should not be accused, but..
Marrying Vamakshi to Elamthalam itself was a mistake. Lets not speak anymore.We will leave.
Lets go. He's tired,carry him, Kunjammar.
The famed Puturan house. They loaned even to the Menons and goldmerchant Chettiyars. Mom tearfully recalled her childhood there.
And she'd curse the Gods for her marriage to poverty of Elamthalam.
Their 16 schools were given 2001 gold annually by the ruler. Rulers recruited their soldiers from Puturan first.
Come, son. This is also ur house. Here's ur aunt.
Unni, here's someone to play with.
Give it to me, it's mine. -No I wont
Aromal, give it to Archa. -Dad, this was a Vishu gift to me.
Ok, I'll give u another. Let her have it.
Aromal, this is ur cousin, Chandu.
Go play with the kids. This is home.
U have another playmate inside. Atumanmel Kunjiraman.
Yes. The kids are ready to begin their education on Vijayadashami. U must also learn to write and fight well, eh ?
Here, kids played boardgames with real gold? For a poverty striken me, this dint feel like home,even if uncle tried.
(Prompting) Ahead.. Swing out.. Legs forward.. Kick with the right..
Move, Kunjiraman. Now I will spar with cousin.
(Prompting) Lift right knee.. Swing hip.. Ahead.. Change foot..
Enough.
U got stubborn, and lost it.
U learned up 9 basics in a month. Smart boy.
He thinks he is great. - Why is Chandu still here?
Dad brought him because he has no food. Many people mooch off us anyway. Let him also stay.
I prayed everyday. "Oh Goddess and war gods. Let the day come when they sing my praises as a warrior."
"Give me strength in my arms. In my weapons."
Mom, who is that child? Thumbolarcha, from Mikavil Mikacheri.
U Ambady people are here too. Why did u not get Kunjunni engaged ?
The ones in a hurry can go ahead.
Where is Chandu ?
Change ur clothes. Kunjamar ?
Oh Child Lord Ganapathy, oh black Snake wargods !
Give them a happy marriage. Give them victory wherever they go.
Ear pierced at 5 years age. Learnt ur alphabet at 7. U shall learn ur skills well. Tie the knot at 10.
They're our future. They will be warriors. Guard the land. Win the battles.
Ear pierced at 5 years age. Learnt ur alphabet at 7. U shall learn ur skills well. Tie the knot at 10.
Bring the flowers, bring the instruments.
Bring along a thousand people to celebrate.
(Prompting)
U promised to return by year-mid. Where were u ?
I was given a good piece of land, where I built a school. 57 feet. A little bigger than this place.
For good teachers, 50 feet will do. Ur body becomes ur eyes, ur weapons become ur mind.
U threw out ur basics in ur hurry to build a school, didnt u Kunjirama ?
Watch him.
So, what's special about him?
To u, a weapon is something u hold. To him, a weapon is part of his mind. That's all.
Aromal, I own 6 schools. After u master footing, I'll appoint u as guru in 3 of them.Students from afar will come on hearing ur name.
We'll take only registration fees.U can claim the tuition fees for urself.
Chandu's the one who assists elder in his fights, isnt it? -Sometimes.
So the nephew is teachers pet ? -Says who ?
The tons of praises pouring out from ur father the critic. -Let spectators decide who's better, at the public show.
Lets keep a wager during the public show. U versus Chandu.
Winner gets a golden snake-necklace from me. The guru neednt know of this.
I know u practise alone these days.
Ur dear bro is always a step ahead. I must catch up, if not beat him.
U're already ahead. We both know that.
Hold on.
Checking if this is still here.
Let our 'footing' exam be done. We will work on improving ur strength.
Someone has asked ur brother to turn the public practise into a competition.
Who?
Whoever it is, I wont compete. Not because I'm a coward, but because this is a wrong time and place. So not now.
Aromal !
Competent, arent they? The nephew is stronger.
Thats enough. Its not battle, its a show. Which of u forgot it first ?
Now Puturan house boasts 3 Chekava warriors.
U must improve ur footing. U still have time to learn.
U must become better than ur dad.I was observing ur handsomeness, I didnt observe ur moves.
That is Puturan house.Male or female,beauty is in their blood.
Footing is the most important thing. I think the son beats the nephew in that.
Wait.Extend ur hand.
Did it hurt? - Yes. But its fine. When u deviate from the planned routine show, u must declare it. Thats the rule.
Well, u must know how to defend those. -U're Elder's son, so no one blames u. Atleast uncle knows.
Even if I declare my moves, u cannot defend them, cousin. -Want to try now ?
Now there's no one to appreciate ur beauty. Come.
Chandu. Dont.
Lower ur swords, both of u. Battle is not the way to end it. I will stop this recklessness.
The lords blabber something for the sake of it. Dont bother about it. U did well out there.
U outshined Aromal.
I am satisfied.
That's all I ever need to hear.
My foster-dad, guru and god. Uncle was all that.
The ones who want to behead me, come with His blessings.
Once, they all went to the Karivel festival. I was alone.
The beats of Uncle's praises rang in my head. My mind was satisfied, and celebrating its own festival.
Please serve dinner for me. I shall sleep early.
Shall I heat water for ur bath?
Oh, I thought u were the Mani girl.
Shall I serve u? But can guests serve hosts? Archa might argue against that
I saw Alathoor uncle in the gallery, but couldnt spot u, Kunjunuli
U wouldnt spot me, unless I'm clad in shining swordsteel. Or so I hear from Unni-Archa
I wanted to return.But Dad made me stay.
Good. U Alathoor people rarely visit. Didnt u go to the Karivel fest ?
That's what they invited me for.They need someone to accompany the beauty from Mikavil, dont they. But I refused.
I din't know ThumbolArcha had come either.
Not personally. She sent her servants to announce arrival.
Did it hurt ? -Its just a cut. Not a problem.