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''' A Concise History of Kodoth Tharavad ''' ''''''
The political history of Kasaragod underwent a sea change with the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire (1565- Battle of Talikotta).In 1950, Sadashiva Raya , the Vijayanagara raja, entrusted Keladayil Sadashiva naik, the right to control the administrative matters of Kanara. By 1554, Sadashiva Naik established his authority in these provinces/Deshas. Keladayi’s supremacy strengthened with the Battle of Talikotta and the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire. Having obtained the right to independent rule, the naikars went on to exercise control over the chieftains of the western coast. Venkatappa Naik who ruled from 1582 to 1629 captured the territory from Honnavar to Nileshwar. However a mutiny followed the death of Venkatappa Naik which was suppressed by Veerabadra Naik. Shivappa Naik who became king in 1646 restored the powers of Keladayi, drastically countering all odds. The provinces south of Chandragiri like Bekal and Chithari had come under the control of Shivappa Naik. During the reign of Krishnaraya of the Kumbla Royal lineage, Shivappa Naik attacked Kumbla and captured various places except Adur, Madhur, and Kanyapura. During 1615-17 and in 1646 Keladayi Naikars had tried to capture Nileshwar. However it was a futile attempt till 1737. Nevertheless, Nileshwar fell during the period of Somashekhara Naik who ruled from 1714-1739 and extended his authority till Madai. Keladayi’s rule continued till Hyder Ali’s attack in 1763. The numerous attempts made by Kolathiri to recapture the region up to Chandragiri River and bring it under his control were in vain. In order to curb and resist the attack of the Naikars on the southern front, Kolathiri sought the help of the Zamorin. With the permission of the Zamorin, Kolathiri was able to mobilize a strong force. Chandrasekhara Kurup, a war chieftain of the Zamorin along with a number of Nair warriors defeated the Naikars in a battle and captured the lost territories of Alathurunad, (from Uppala to Chandragiri River), Kavayanad (from Chandragiri to Chittari) and Padavanad (from Chittari to Karyangad River). In the battle against the Naikars, around 500 Nair warriors, concentrating on Kizhoor, chased the Ballalas of Alathurunad and Kavayanad, thus seizing the land and endorsing their authority. Thus the nairs who came as warriors stayed on as the caretakers of various territories and enhanced their stronghold. Around these territories sprang up new Nair tharavads. Kodoth, Echikkanam,Mullacheri,Cheipadi,Mavila, Kottayil, Vengayil, Kookal , Meloth, Karicheri, Kozhumal, Naranthatta, Periya, Maniyeri, Konath, Alathady, Poravankara, Panayanthatta, Maloor, Poliapurath, Mundath and Adakkadukkam were some of the Nair tharavads which were established south of Chandragiri river. It is understood that these events occurred during the latter half of the 17th and early 18th century. The descendency of Kodoth Chandrashekar Kurup has been traced to Kodoth Tharavad. After a petty battle with the Naikars Chandrashekar Kurup settled in Cherkala. Later he shifted to Birikulam (Kulaththoor in Bedakam Panchayat) and with his influence, became a land owner. In course of time the family shifted to Kodom village. He made the village the centre of his activity and named the Tharavad after the place. The British who gained supremacy over this region with the fall of Tipu Sultan enabled an increase in the power of Chandrashekara Kurup to such an extent that he was given the responsibility of collecting tax from two villages which got him the Patelika right. The British appointed the members of Kodoth Tharavad as the Pattelers of Kodom and Kolathoor villages. The Kozhummal Tharavad was also one such family which attained Pattelika rights (Karinthalam, West Eleri). By the early 20th century they owned lands in different villages. In places like Kadakam, Muliar, Adoor, Kolaththoor, Bedakam, Kodom, Bandhadukka, Kanhangad, Belur, Panaththadi, Kadangod (Cheruvathur) Uduma, Bara, Chemmanad and Chengala they owned tens of thousands of landed property. To collect Varam and store them there were granaries and store houses. The golden era of Kodoth Tharavad was during the time of Kodoth Kammaran Nair. The present temple in Kodoth was built during his time. Kodoth Tharavad can also be proud of its own Kathakali troop which was the best in Kasaragod. It was around 1893 that this troop was organized. The construction of the Gopuram which began under the supervision of Mavila Chandu Nambiar went on till 1921. The work finished by the the then senior most member of the family 'Kodoth Ambu Nair, The chief carpenter from Thaliparambu (Pariyaram) along with two helpers took 4 years to complete the Gopuram which was believed to have been constructed at a cost of eight lakhs. Still the Gopuram of the Kodoth Bhaghavathi Temple is the main attraction for visitors to Kodoth. Kodoth Tharavad which followed the matriarchal system was partitioned in 1934 and three Receivers were appointed. The extremely god fearing and pious Chandrashekhara Kurup was also adept in Martial arts like kalaripayattu. He was instrumental in setting up kalaris in Cheruvattur and Kodoth villages to train his successors in martial arts. Though a follower of the matrilineal system, Chandrashekhara Kurup remained a bachelor. He adopted a girl child from Vengayil family in Podavanadukkam and gave her in marriage with a view to preserving the lineage of the family. Once on his way to Vanneri , near Guruvayoor, Goddess Chamundeshwari who was pleased with the ardent belief and piety of Kurup accompanied him on his return to Kodoth. It is believed that, in a battle that ensued, Chamundeshwari defeated Padar Kulangara Bhagavathi . However Padar Kulangara Bhagawathi , still resides at kodoth. The descendents of Kurup who resides at Verikulam, worship Chamundeshwari in their houses and placed her near the kalari on her arrival to Kodoth.
The lineage of Kurup’s adopted daughter can be traced to four different branches in Kodoth, a beautiful fertile village surrounded by rocks . They are Verikulam, Kuttikol, , Kodoth Puthiyaveed, Maliyekal and Kodoth Padinjareveed. Once the house situated on the western side of the kalari- the Padinjare veed was stricken with smallpox , destroying the entire family except a female child. The descendents of this lone survivor was Kodoth Utha Amma, and her brothers Kannan nair, Koran nair and Cheriya Kannan nair. The successors of Utha amma are the present members of Padinjareveed. The grand Padinjare veed constructed around 350 years ago is occupied at present by K P Kunhambu Nair and his family. The Kodoth family which has a history of over three centuries can proudly claim to have gifted many able and renowned personalities to our mother land.