For film director Vinayan, who hails from Ambalapuzha, rennaissance hero Arattpuzha Velayudha Panicker was a familiar name. He had heard about the 19th century warrior’s valour, scholarship and relentless fight against caste-based discrimination and oppression that prevailed then in Travancore. “Arratupuzha is not too far from my place and, in my childhood, I had listened to many stories about Panicker. Nevertheless, when I wanted to make a film on him, there was not enough material,” says Vinayan, talking about his hit Pathonpatham Noottandu, still running in theatres.
Surprised at the paucity of information about Panicker, Vinayan plunged into gathering information about the multifaceted man who began his own Kathakali troupe and built a temple for all to worship. “Velayudha Chekavar, an Ezhava, was a wealthy exporter, landlord, scholar and warrior. He did not stand to gain anything by agitating against caste-based discrimination that was rampant in erstwhile Travancore, but he protested to help people gain dignity. Therein lies his greatness. But for some reason, his life has not been celebrated enough in literature or cinema,” says Vinayan.
