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