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Kayamkulam Kochunni (2018)
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In this, the year 1034... ...on the 7th day of the month of Kan ni... ...by consent of His Highness the Maharajah Uthram Thirunal... ...the Honorable Diwan Sri T Madhava Rayar... ...hereby decrees that... ...two days from now, on the 9th of Kanni... ...at 5 hours and 30 minutes past midnight... ...the dreaded criminal Kochunni... ...also known as Kayamkulam Kochunni... ...is sentencedmto death by hanging The crimes he is guilty of... ...are the following The COPY How is it usually with the corpses of Muhammadans? Ask the Diwan whether it is to be buried or cremated Would His Highness kindly come to the balcony? They're from Kayamkulam... ...not less than a hundred of them And more are on the way They are not here for any trouble... just poor folks When its all over, they want the body to be given to them... ...with permission to bury him as per rites If your Majesty gives orders... This...is his story From the folk tales... ...from the treasure trove of legends... ...from the pages of history... ...from the tales told by grandmothers... ...from what remained unread between the lines... ...the many layers of meaning For as long as the land of Malayalam exists For as long as the Malayali exists Among those who live today and those who are yet to come... Among all generations... ...he stands immortal... ...and this is his story! Thief! Thief! Get him! Thief! Get him! Quick! Thief! Thief! Don't let him go! Catch him! Thief! Don't let him escape! Don't let him go! Catch him! - Go that way! Come! -And let us go this way! Come on! Let's go! Quick! Kill him! Beat him to death! Kill him! Thief! You thief! Isn't that your father, Koch unni? You...! Search him! Right there! Oh, Mother! Mother! What is it? Just lie still for three months The injury from the kicking is deep inside It is the coronotion day of Maharajah Swathi Thirunal That is why they let you go Or else your house would have been set on fire... ...on the order of the Adhikari They let it go because it is a special day Tell him to mend his ways now If you stay here, you will die of hunger Go to some other place and save yourself Go! And don't come back And don't tell anyone you are Bapputty's son I don't want to go anywhere! I won't! It's your mother's request - go! God be with you! I've heard of you What brings you here from the North? I don't stay long anywhere Some places, I stay a while and teach I heard...you have a vacant house and grounds No one teaches the Tulunadan style here And if it is Thangal teaching, pupils will come from far and wide That property is ideal for a school of Ka | ari (a martial arts form) And its been unoccuppied for long We would be happy to see it put to use Show him the place Its that way Who's there? Who are you? - You! - Don't beat him! He was hiding here! - I am hungry! - Get out! Out! No! Who's there inside? - What's your name? - Kochunni - Place? - Kottukulangara And why did you come here? Don't you have any family? No You meanmthey are dead? Yes And where are you off to now? We could use some help at the store, Master I think he will be apt What are you saying, Syedali? How can he... I can teach him to serve customers and write accounts And if he sleeps at the store, it would be good for security too But without knowing anything about him... Upon my guarantee If you aren't willing, let me know I will take care of him myself But...what if he steals something? I won't steal I won't steal Don't steal! Work for money and then come back Or else just ask for it But don't steal What's going on, Kochunni? -Add a plantain to the bill - Plantain? I didn't ask for a plantain Take it from my pay There's hardly anything left of your pay anyway Can you put my list on your pay too? Why? Who are you? What about that kid? He was nothing to you too What else? 8 kilograms of rice...3 kilograms of beaten rice 2 liters of oil 1 kilogram ofjaggery... 5 bunches of bananas How many of you are there at home? Father, Mother and me Are you buying groceries for a whole year? Or is this how you normally eat? What is all this stuff for? Omar Khasi Thangal has started a school of Kalari across the river I cook and clean for them That's what this is for It's been a while since his last visit -Are there many pupils? -Around twelve It's Nanu Chovan's boy! It's a Chova boy! The well is polluted! The well must be sealed! Go and get Paramu immediately! No upper castes should draw water! Don't stand around! Move! Move! Move away! He must have leaned over and slipped Move! Move! Come here! Quick! Come on! Seal it! Kochunni! Kochunni! Everyone move! Some more! Pull! Come on, pull! Oh no! It's a python! Take the child! Hit! Hit it! Hey! No! Let it go Kochu Pillai! Move aside! I am an uppercaste Nair. I draw water from this well And I will continue to do so! I won't let you seal it! You call yourself a Nair but want to draw water polluted by a Chovan? To us it is poison! And as long as we are around... ...this well won't be here anymore! How come this impurity does not affect your beds? If the water is made impure by a Chovan falling in... ...push a Brahmin inside to make it pure again! - How dare you! - Seal it! - Seal it! - Take him away! Leave me! Make it fast! When the snake coiled around you... ...how come you were not scared? I knew the snake would be the loser It's a good thing you don't brag Leave me at the dock We have stock coming in from Kochi Four mouths to feedmand on top of that - tax! - Don't Brahamins have to pay tax? - No They have a book. It clearly says... ...who should pay and who need not -And who wrote that? - The Brahmins themselves! For bigger crimes... ...the English laws are also being applied now But they also side with the upper castes Sahibs, indeed! They come from foreign lands to live in ours... ...and now their word is Law? If only I knew the language... ... | would have given them a piece of my mind! - What? You doubt it? - It's not that Look ahead God! You think they heard? Kochunni? The Commander Sahib wants to meet you - Come! - Ok If I am not back before dark, do come and look for me - Say 'Thank You' - Huh? - 'Thank You' - Should I, really? - It is an expression of gratitude - Ok Thank you (Translator repeats) - What should I say? - Just keep your head bowed He is asking if you can get Ithikkara Pakki, the bandit - Who? - Ithikkara Pakki Didn't their men who went after him... ...return headless? And he thinks I can do it? (Translator repeats) Come on! Make a wish! You can ask him for something you want From the Sahib's brother's Palace... ...we hear music and dancing every night Can my friends and I... ...watch one day? Where dance and song... ...come alive every day These dark eyes... ...seek out wonders Where dance and song... ...come alive every day These dark eyes... ...seek out wonders Aah...my lady... Aah...dear lady... Aah...my lady... Aah...dear lady... To see the moves... ...that rustle my drapes... ...the entire Universe... ...comes before me Aah...my lady... Aah...dear lady... Aah...my lady... Aah...dear lady... My magical lips... ...that drip pearls... Who can turn them red? Which blue-eyed lover? As I sway... ...like a peacock... ...gent | y, the wind... ...dispels the frangrance of blossoms Who will taste this sweetness? Who will wear this garland? Who shall I embrace? Who shall I melt? I am the heady night that will leave you in raptures Where dance and song... ...come alive every day These dark eyes... ...seek out wonders... Aah...my lady... Aah...dear lady... Aah...my lady... Aah...dear lady... To see the moves... ...that rustle my drapes... ...the entire Universe... ...comes before me Aah...my lady... Aah...dear lady... Aah...my lady... Aah...dear lady... What do you want? Thangan What about? III- ...wanted to ask if he could teach me Hmm - There! - Ok Do you have regular pay at the store? Why do you want to know? Do you really want to spend it on medicines and oils? This is not like grappling with a snake They are real experts If a nerve gets caught the wrong way... ...you could be laid up for years! They are from affluent families And have people to take care of them if they get hurt Why do you worry about me? Just mind your own business I am minding my business It's just that you have a handsome face And I would like to see it stay that way -Your name? - Kochunni - Where from? -Around here Born here? At Kottukulangara I have no parents. That's how I came here Your father's name? Kottuku | angara...is not unfamiliar to me Bappuv If I teach you, what if you turn out greater than him? You can't be taught here. Go! (Thangal giving Kalari instructions) When I showed him all my moves he said... "Kochunni, my son... ...you are already an expert." "What more can you learn here?" "In fact, you should be my Guru!" And then he said, "please teach my pupils some moves" - He really said that? - Of course he did! - Believe me if you can - Ok, I believe you And did you teach them? And did he pay you anything? Of course I taught them! There were three of them - three! One from this side One from this side And the third from here I first stepped back... ...took the 'othiram' stance... ...then 'kadakam'... ...and 'marukadakam' Blocked and moved away like this... ...then crouched and reared... ...leapt forward... I saw some medicinal herbs here -Can I pluck some? -Ok So there were three of themmand? And I showed them But to think someone as saintly as Thangal... masked you to be his Guru! Even if he did not really mean that... ...its not a small thing He is even said to know sorcery Ask him to come...you can teach him right here! And we can charge him for it! Are you just going to stand there and talk? Time is getting on...they will be here soon Go inside and put those snacks on plates And you go and put some kohl in your eyes! I am already wearing kohl Where? I don't see any! Put some more Here Can you hide and watch to learn? Huh? If you can, come to the west side of the schoool I can show you a way New? Not now! If you come in the daylight and someone sees you... ...like that old woman was saying... ...Thanga | might make a 'Guru' out of you At night! If you plan to come, start today Thangal does not stay longer than six months in any place And once he goes, you can't predict when he will be back I wonder if the boat is available at that time What? You want me to arrange that too? I wasn't saying that to you Just thinking aloud Kochunni does not need a boat to cross the Thrikkunnappuzha - Who's that girl? - Huh? The one you said to line her eyes with kohl...who's she? She is the deceased Syedali | kka's daughter, Suhra - I meant who is she to you? - No one Then why are you hovering around here? This is like home to me We grew up together They are here! - A prospective groom for Suhra - Oh! Hey! Where are you going at this hour? I'll tell you when I return Return from where? He's up to no good, I am sure! Climb! Huh? -Just climb! -This...? (Keshavan giving instructions) (Keshavan continuing instructions) (Keshavan continuing instructions) Why are you helping me? I've heard Thangal knows sorcery Are you planning to try that on me? In your caste, women can have up to twelve lovers, right? Are you trying to make me one of them? I don't need sorcery for that I can get more than twelve with just a gaze Stronger and braver than you! A Shudra girl can also fall in love True and heartfelt love And it can be for just one person too You seemed pure of heart... "whenever we met Without such a reassurance, I wouldn't... ...step out at night for anyone... ...for any man I can't make it tomorrow It is market day I will be going with the Master on the boat to Kochi We leave at dawn and return only after three days That night I will come again Do I need to come get you? You already know the way | ...am a Muslim No one has ever called me 'Janaki' with love If someone promises to call me lovingly... ... | don't need anyone's consent to have a different name We leave at the crack of dawn We will be passing this way My people don't really believe in good omens But when you start on a journey... ...it is auspicious to see a lantern... ...is what Velu, the astrologer says Then why don't I leave the lantern here on the riverbank? But...he also said it should be held by one's own woman (Kalari instructions as chorus) (Kalari instructions continue) The beauty of Kalari, in your deft moves I see... ...Oh! hero of the land ofCheras I seek the brimming chalice of dreams in your eye... As I am beside you, woman of mystery In my book of prayers... I saw no name such as yours The windows to my soul... Are opened just for you New dreams blossom on the vine of life... ...draped in music foryou... Hereon, in my path... ...like drops of dew... ...there'sjust you... "standing tenderly, Janaki... The beauty of Kalari, in your deft moves I see... ...oh! hero of the Land of Cheras The golden hue of Mehendi... ...does not adorn your hand Nor do your eyes flutter with kohl... Your pearl-touched lips... ...do not hum strains ofOppana Like arrows, your teasing words... ...have opened the lock to my heart Know this, my love... ...the beauty of your soul intoxicates me The strength in your chiselled body... ...has nipped the buds of my youth Your hands fragrant with oil... ...have overpowered my being My sweetness...my song... ...you are my lucky charm I long, with all my heart... ...to wash over you like a wave The beauty of Kalari, in your deft moves I see... ...oh! hero of the land of Cheras Hereon, in my path... ...like drops of dew... ....there'sjust you... "standing tenderly, Janaki Hereon in my path... ...like drops of dew... ...there'sjust you... "standing tenderly, Janaki (Keshavan giving instructions at the Kalari) - What's the matter, Thangal? - I feel there is someone here An outsider Shut the gates! Maybe just a feeling Silence! Come down! Whoever you are! Enough! This is not an art you learn from the shadows, you dog! You learn by obeying and sewing your Guru This is not the place to learn how to fight street urchins Get out! Please forgive me I so badly wanted to learn So you started off by placing an offering at her feet? And what was your gain? That also would have been fixed Speak! She is the woman I intend to marry And you thought this school was apt to bring your lover to? Didn't you? Keshava! It won't be with an offering to the Guru... ...that street urchins defend their women Today is Thursday It's an auspicious day You may start with the introductory move I feel my wish to find a successor... ...has been answered Seven years ago, when Ijoined you as a pupil... ...this was all I had I am taking this And nothing more Where are you going? It is the divine moment when the Guru has found his successor A poor fool who, for seven years waited patiently... ...discip | ined in time and body and celibacy... ...is a burden in that moment He just performed the fifth sequence of Kalari moves... It takes a year to learn But he learned it in just forty days - It's a miracle! - Of course! Next you may ask me to salute the miracle I am leaving because I can't do that We will meet againmsome place And not for a friendly duel...for a battle I need no honours I don't want anything You are not dearer to me than him I love no one more than him But affection cannot stand in the way of destiny (Than gal instructing Kochu nni) You are destined for greatness You will not fail I am a wanderer I can spot one meant for victory I am unable to keep it steady I don't think I can handle this! Kochunni! It's all over for us! - Oh God! - Don't lose hope, Master! I will get you to shore! God is with us! Where's the Master? Hold her here! If it's a treasure...shouldn't we send it to the King? Why? So he can start more schools? His Majesty wants the low caste hunters, fisherfolk and forest tribes... ...to be educated Now they will start quoting scripture too... ...and we will be left watching One who is better suited to play music and write songs should not be King Riches don": come our way everyday It's up to you to decide what we should do If you wish to send it to the Palace, so be it If anyone comes to know, punishment could be harsh Of all the Cheruma boys who keep the distance of purity from us... ...how many would be of our own blood? If that can remain a secret, so can this It needs to be taken from there Uh...there's a lot under there I can't do it alone We'll send help. But... ...what we speak of here should stay here Four days from today is the start of the temple festival Some day before it ends... ...when all the villagers are busy with the festival... ...we will let you know the time What do you want in return? It's not a small task...so you may ask III- ...there are three things I would like I...would like to have a gram of gold It's for Syedali | kka's daughter's wedding -Ah! - They are waiting to set a date As soon as the job is over, you will get one gram of gold Tell them they can set the date Next...for the harvest festival at Kunnigramam... ...could you arrange for them to have a feast... with Kheer? Could your Lordhips please do that? Kunnigramam is... - ...the low castes village? - Yes They are poor peoplemthey will be really happy And the third? III- ...would like to marry a Shudra girl That too The treasure is meant for the King If news gets around, it could attract thieves Remember your promise to keep it secret Upon God...upon my Master! You may go now - How much is this? - Two paise - (background) Make way! Make way! -Oh! - And this? - Eight Whoa! I'll take this Hey! What's this? This... | got it for you Then give it to me Tell me the truth... | won't tell anyone This...is for a special someone Probab | y...you and I will get married... - ...on the same day - Huh? - Really? - Yes And who is the girl? - Tell me! - Kochunni! We need to set a date for the wedding You cant just say 'we accept' and then walk away If tomorrow dawns, you can be assured... ... | will put a gram of gold in your hands Huh? - Yes! - You're sure? Yes! And how can we send her off without a necklace or ear rings? You should find a way for that too - How much? - Ten Just pay him, will you? Come on, girl! "Behind the Banyan tree" East side of the river Before the stream makes the turn towards Perunthenaruvi You asked for one gram of gold Here are five sovereigns! And what will you do with it? Me... | have friends... Vava sleeps on the riverbank... he could get a house Bappukunju also has lots of needs... And...Suhra can gave a great wedding I can get her some jewelry too! And give some of this to my Master Good! Be careful on your way! Ok A person found guilty of theft... ...shall be given 190 lashes of the whip... ...have his hands dipped in boiling oil and... ...deprived of food and water... ...be hung upside down for three days What is happening here is unjust! Sahib! At least you should put a stop to this What injustice are you talking about? It was from this Raghava Menon's house... ...that he was caught stealing five sovereigns of gold Let Menon say so if it is untrue In broad daylight, while the festival was on... ...he came in through the back door Fortunately, I was home I shouted for help so I got my gold back That is his version When, where and before whom did his trial happen? Speak, woman! When you last met him... ...what did he tell you? Speak! That he would get the gold for her wedding Heard enough? Where would a shop assistant get five sovereigns? From the heavens? What about his side of the story? You beat him unconscious and... ...you call this a trial? Take him away! - Leave me! - Come back as Adhikari or Parvathiyar! Then you can start issuing orders! Our book of laws is the Vyavaharamala But to tie up a culprit in an open space... ...we need your consent too As you are aware... We had submitted the evidence (Translator translating the same) For taking on a lover from a different religion and plotting to marry him... ...she is found guilty It is hereby decreed that she be stoned and banished from this land... Mother! Dusk...at the most, nightfall He certainly won't last till dawn Oh no! Run! Run! Drink! It's good for the pain It will heal faster! Why did you save me? I have a liking for thieves Especially those branded as thieves by others Where are we going? To our south is Kanyakumari And to the North is Kochi This can take you anywhere Just leave me anywheremexcept where we started from Can you help me... ...find someone? Banished personsmare pelted with stones till the border Most die of bleeding and dehydration right there Some run into the forest and get eaten by wild animals If one has to escape alive... ...God has to be on their side But He also keeps his distance from poor folk Don't look for her You won't find her In that case you shouldn't have saved me either I would have been happy to die What an idiotic thing to say! You fool! Then jump aboard and die! Die! Go ahead! Die! When I heard of a boy who stopped a foreigner touching a low caste woman" ... | thought he was a man of courage! And that is why I saved him! Anyone can die What is difficu | t...is to go on living You should return But not as a dead body What the noblemen turned you into... ...be that! Be the terror of Kayamkulam... ...the most feared thief, ever! For a crime you did not commit... ...they punished you by whipping you and tying you upside down! Now go ahead and commit the crime! They took away your girl and destroyed your happiness... ...the bloody sons of privilege... There is only one life Understand that! There is no Heaven! Or Hell! Just one life! Where...and how to lead it... ...is for each one of us to decide Turn around! It's only with the brave... ...that I shake hands and introduce myself Ithikkara Pakki! Mam mad! Noor Ahmed! Kunju Marakkar! War cries rising, waves crashing... A lion awakens Peaks fall crashing, leaves the Earth shaking With it's almighty roar! Dreadlocks flailing... Call to arms raging Thirsting for blood, a deadly dance ensues Churning this sphere of fire... This bloody star that is our world To put an end to treachery and evil With fire raging in his eyes Strung on a bolt of lightning Before the altar of fire He pays a bloody offering An icon of darkness Entrails wrapped around his body Dripping red blood The very image of the age of Kali With a shake of his feathers, the Sea turns into a wave And scatters death far and wide The stars are his anklets And even the Sun and Moon pale before him Brave one! War hero! Rise on in valour! Brave one! War hero! Make your move, once more! If we get scattered, we meet behind the temple - Oh no! -What? Chellayya! Peeli! They took the kids! Leave it and come! Let them take everything! - Please don't hurt my children! - Thief! Get him! - Thief! Get him! -Come quick! -Get him! -Thief! Don't let him get away! Mommy! Mommy! - Mommy! - Get him! Thief! -Get him! - Get the thief! - The sound is from over there! - Get him! My babies! It seems they took everything - all the gold and money! It's God's Grace the children were found unharmed But I heard they could not figure out who the intruders were What if we show them who we are? Show them all! No! He fed me! Fear not, Master! I won't stand by and watch... | ike you did No upper caste shall henceforth raise their hands... magainst any of the oppressed classes No child of the poor... ...shall cry of hunger in this land Henceforth in Kayamkulam... ...he sets the Law The Law of Kochunni! Who did this? Kayamkulam Kochunni! I will leave in a couple of days As long as there is hunger in this world... ...there will be Kayamkulam Kochunni And there will be Ithikkara Pakki Come on! Every land should have people like us It's time for me to go to another such place You are here now They will be with you They'll be your men now You will be just as I am to them I have only one regret Vavvakkad is... ...famed for its deer meat I've heard of it...from the hunters I never got to taste it The bleeding will stop now Why were you going through the forest? Are you a trader or something? I come here at times I like to listen to... ...the sound of the bamboo groves when the wind blows through them We were attacked by wolves deep inside the forest I got separated from my group I can't kill him Though we are supposed to III- ...can't bear to watch When it's over...don't leave him to the wild beasts Please bury him What can I pay you to do that for me? Him! I will take care of him...keep him alive He is injured on the neck He won't last the night... | know! I have seen greater wounds heal You may go! I will stay here What is your name? Try to be out of the forest before nightfall The animals will be out hunting soon Head straight to the East In an hour or so you will reach the river Keep this! For emergencies I shall remember this "Whosoever shall come to the Palace with this... ...whether in my lifetime or after... ...without violating any laws... ...shall have one wish fulfilled. This is my order By my royal authority The Maharajah, Shree Swathi Thirunal" Get up, girl! Come on! Where are you taking them? When we are at the 'Athachamayam' festival... ...we accidentally touched Vishnu Nam boothiri's palanquin He says our hands will be chopped off for polluting it with our touch If we personally come before him and apologise... ...he says we will be spared He sent this man to fetch us We are headed for the Lordhip's farm house And there...? Out with the truth or my knife will be in yourtummy They have to spend two nights with the Lordship "Whoever touches a Brahmin or his belongings... ...if he is a person of a lower caste... ...shall be treated like an animal and may be killed... ...or have his hand or legs chopped off... ...or be banished from the land" Burn it! If you ever force me to come here again... ... | will do to you whatever you just read "l shall be back...to claim what is mine - Kayamkulam Kochunni" The dreaded bandit Kayamkulam Kochunni... ...has sent a note saying he is coming back All residents are hereby ordered to... ...be cautious Your money, gold, jewelry... ...and any other valuables... ...are not to be left unattended Keep them locked in safe places The reward for his capture... ...is as follows For bringing in his severed head... ...12 gold coins For bringing him alive, eighteen Whoever tries to protect him... ...man OI" woman... ...boy or girl... ...whoever be it, they shall be punished... ...in front of all the people of this land... ...by me, Thananayik Keshava Kurup... ...in person All of us have ancestral jewelry, held for generations... ...in our homes He surely holds a grudge against us... ...for carrying out the punishment In the kingdom of Cochin, at Perumpadappu Swaroopam... ...we have our ancestral temple If we can move our valuables to the vaults there... ...we would be safe But to get them there... ...we need your help What sort of help? We need six of the Company's elephants Just for two days Since they are war-trained... ...the journey will be safe We start at the crack of dawn Everyone thinks we are heading for the ancestral temple It should remain secret At the southern end of the jungle across the Achankovil river... ...by the slope of the Kallumala hill... ...we will be waiting When we take over the goods, you will be paid the agreed amount There should be no haggling at that point I am a Jewish merchant I have in me the blood of those who paid the agreed amount even to Judas... ...who betrayed the Christ You only need to worry about Kochunni Just make sure this gets there safe without falling in his hands We have been in this land from before Kochunni's days We also know paths he may not Alright Go! Attack! Terrifying eyes and gaze... Stubbly hair...his face and hands... ...bear scars from wounds Like a wild beast... His face is nothing like before This is for the harvest festival You don't need to beg before any landlord for that Come! Get new clothes for the kids Arrange for a feast with two kinds of sweet dishes Everyone should forget the upper castes' festival when they see ours! Can a Muslim make an offering, Chief? Just a wish! You are not of any caste to us! I am thinking of putting up a stall with the money you gave A place for tired can drivers and labourers... ...to have ginger tea and some boiled tapioca The boy can look after it when I am not around I have started work on it...just the roof remains No, that's not necessaryml have the money from last time This money is yours, Ittiyappa! When the landlord gets you to harvest ten acres of land... ...he gets over a thousand paras of grain And you? 3 cups of grain, 5 paise and atummyfull of hunger! If not for you, who would harvest their lands? Lower caste men are not supposed to set up a business That's what they say! I'll come...to have tea at your stall While you are taking care of people, make sure you do it for everyone Ever since they lost you as a guardian. ...Suhra's door has turned into one that anyone can knock on, at any time If she has no one to speak for her... ...she'll find it difficult to live Kochu Pillai is in charge of the preparations for the festival And it seems Kochunni and Suhra will get married the same day That's what everyone is talking about Hmm (Ritual chanting) At least smile, girl Go on! Happy now, my child? - Come! -Come! Know your wood before you carve it, Keshavan! (Translator repeats) This is the second time he came and returned from right before your eyes! Should we wait for the third as well? I am answerable to the Diwan What is your next plan of action? The question is for you, Keshavan! Janaki! Don't kill me, please! Run! Isn't this...the Vavvakad forest? Yes Isn't it around here that the bandit Kochunni lives? That's what people say Oh God! I did not think it would get so dark! I got someone for company near the Banyan tree...now I can't find him! And it isn'tjust Kochunni! They say a she-ghost also roams through this forest Where are you going anyway? Evoor - my Uncle's place I've heard he targets upper caste people -And me - a true-blue Brahmin! - Really? Of course! But in case Kochunni sees me, he wouldn't understand that! I have put my sacred thread in my dhothi fold till I cross the jungle! Which house do you belong to, at Evoor? Ayyakutty Matham! Perhaps you have heard of it Wave Let me get going! If you hear me screaming please do come! (chanting a prayer) Arjunan, Phalgunan, Parthan, Vijayan... - Do you want me to come with you? - Huh? Oh yes! If I am with you, Kochunni won't come I'm so relieved! I feel like God himself has appeared before me! - Walk on! - Ok I have to get there before dawn There is a special pooja at the temple tomorrow at dawn On the way, I took a nap under the Banyan tree That's why I got late...now the only way to get there on time, is through here - Can I tell you a secret? - Ok All the ornaments for the diety, are with me But even if Kochunni attacks, he wouldn't find them! -Ask me why? - Why? I have hidden them in my loincloth! - How clever of you! - And it isn't just that... ... | have also learned some Karali - It's Kalari, not Karali! - Right! Don't be scared! Come on in! Look! He's here! I met this man in the Vavvakkad forest He accompanied me all the way here! That was kind of you! We were worried about him Please wait for a bit No! I don't want anything That cannot be Please accept what I give, wholeheartedly But you already have, Lordship! To a ten year old boy who everyone drove away... ...you gave a bowl full of tasty rice gruel I can still feel the taste of it... ...on my tongue and in my heart And it will remain there till the day I die - Kochunni! - Huh? He was carrying the ornaments for the diety Do you know how much gold that would be? He belonged to a house I know So only the upper caste people you know are good! That day when we were going to pull down that store, you said the same thing Don't expect us to steal by your rules! We may also have people who paid us or did favours for us Drop it, Mam mad You can do whatever you want for the people you care about Whether they are Chovas, Parayas or Nayadis But from now on, we want our share And we will decide what to do with it We want our families also to prosper If you only look upon this as a way to feed your families... ...you can leave. Now! Is Vavvakad your father's property that you can order us away? Stop it! What are you doing? Don't try to be the leader here! Huh? It's just Vava! - Did anyone see you? - No I was just getting to sleep after some work on my house... She somehow escaped and got there Look here! Wherever it is that you want to go... ...before dawn, he... ...will drop you there We may be here one day and somewhere else the next We can't have you tagging along Don't look at him! That was before! He has a wife now I'll go I didn't mean to create any trouble between you I'll go Where? After I was driven away... ... | was caught by Chinese slave traders The Englishman bought me from them Because banished people cannot be seen in the land again... ...he kept me in hiding I came to ask for help Not to my old lover But to Kayamkulam Kochunni They will never get hold of me again Whether you help me or not Goodbye There is only one thing that remains the same in me And that is my love for you, Janaki When he came to know that I was your girlfriend... ...the Englishman had his revenge If anyone wants to come with me, they may There are many valuables in the Englishman's vaults Both from here and from their own country I know where everything is Even if it's an escaped slave girl who has returned... ...the Sahib will want to sleep with her He just needs women Without spending at least a night there... ...he won't send me back There are seven doors that lead into the Palace The eastern one is guarded only at night If you reach inside that door and climb the stairs... ...you reach the top floor That is where the vaults are One floor above... ...in the western wing, is the Sahib's room This way! Come this way! I have not loved anyone... ...not trusted anyone... ...as much as I have loved and trusted you No one in this world, ever! But, after I had my hair chopped and got stoned out of this land... ...in just six months time... ...when I heard you were a husband, I hated you like I have never hated anyone Not the Adhikari who banished me... ...nor any foreigner who stripped me and branded me a slave But having helped to capture Kayamkulam Kochunni, Janaki is no more a slave That is my reward from the Thananayik - a man of his word See him! Whoever hasn't, see him now! The biggest thief ever in this land! No courtyard gates need to be shut anymore No granaries need to be guarded And to walk through Vavvakkad... ...no one needs to fear, day or night Henceforth in Kayamkulam... ...there will be no Kochunni! To think he was getting away with all those thefts and plunders for so long! At least now we can go around without fear I heard they will take him to Thiruvananthapuram tonight And once there, he will be hanged in four days A guard at the police station told me It took them an hour to bring down the Englishman's body... ...so complicated were the knots he used! He is said to have learned complicated martial arts techniques somewhere And what did he use them for? To steal and now, murder! Whatever you might say, there was something about Kochunni! Now that Maharajah Swathi Thirunal is no more... ...crimina | s need expect no mercy Water In the name of His Majesty, who rules over Travancore.. ...the Maharajah Shri Uthram Thirunal... ...his Diwan Shri T Madhava Rayar issues this decree Having failed to capture Kayamkulam Kochunni... ...the bandit, by any means till date... ...neither suppressing nor imprisoning him... ...Thananayik Keshava Kurup is required, 12 days from today... ...to vacate his post and reach Thiruvananthapuram... ...where he shall return the official symbols of his position This is my order I need one more chance Within these 12 days, I can get him to come to the village But I need your support for that For the next twelve days... ...none of the low caste poor... ...should be given anything they can eat Whether as wages or otherwise However m uch they might offer to pay for it Please issue the order When the faithful cry out loud... ...God has to appear! We don't need money Please take this and give us some tapioca or yams It's not that we don't want to, Chief But we've been told not to give you even a grain of rice We'll be banished! From tomorrow they have ordered us not to use this way when bringing goods Not just us - anyone! That's why they are building that fence over there It's two days since the children had food! Close it now! The Englishman has been buried He has a wife and kid back in England And you might have heard about the Adhikari The injury was to his neck...he won't walk again It was all made possible... ...through techniques he learnt here Shouldn't we stop him, Thangal? With the rules of Kalari? If not, he will continue... He will come But if he is to not return... ...you should show me, your old pupil... ...some move by which I can... ...stop him Surely there must bemsomething But you wil send him to the gallows, won't you? Without giving him an opportunity to be reformed? Three years in prison I shall personally request the Diwan... ...to make it just three years - Is that your word? - Upon you, my Guru! Of the 72,000 nerve points... ...there will be a weak one... ...in any human being If hurt at that point... ...any great warrior will fall The person who knows exactly which one it is... ...is a Guru alone! Kochunni is here! Kochunni is here! Kochunni is here! Kochunni is here! Kochunni is here! - Come quick! - Come on! Kochunn Everyone is at Kochu Pi | | ai's house Let's go this way We have won, Kochu Pillai! We have only just started! Your head must be feeling heavy The liquor was laced with drugs - Kochu Pillai! - Parvathiyar Kochu Pillai! That's how you should address him now He should be respected too! The title of Idava Muthalper is now his! For them, it was money to last for the rest of their lives That is all - the price they put to Kochunni In this position, I can do everything we always planned to do When you are out in three years, this land will be transformed! You sold me out, took the payment for it and now you dare to talk? You son of a pig! Take him away! Hit him! In the center of his left knee Vava? If I didn't, they would kill you! When you come out, I'll be there for you! In this. the year 1034... ...on the 7th day of the month of Kanni... ...by consent of His Highness the Maharajah Uthram Thirunal... ...the Honorable Diwan Sri T Madhava Rayar... ...hereby decrees that... ...on the 9th day of Kanni... ...at five hours and thirty minutes past midnight... ...the dreaded criminal Kochunni... ...also known as Kayamkulam Kochunni... ...is sentencedmto death by hanging - I am leaving - The funeral prayers? I shall do it The Book says they are to be done by the closest kin There is no need for a Khateeb I shall personally take him... to the grave He has made a rule that no one can see him in the prison... ...the Thananayik! My Kochunni will go to his death believing he was betrayed... ...by the man he loved like God If only I had a chance to tell him it wasn't so... ...oh God! Thanga | ...! Ikka had given this for safekeeping I don't know if it will be of any use This will not change his sentence But if I can get this to the Palace before the sentence is carried out... ... | can at least see him once For sure! You may bring him Shall we go? His Majesty, the King wants to see you - The arrangements? - All done Everything is ready, Your Highness Before carrying out the sentence... ...this person has requested a short meeting with the convict But there is a sealed order from the Diwan banning visitors Show him Any one wish... The Late King's decree... ...is still a royal decree As you say, Highness I know I was defeated... ...not by Keshavanmnot by Kochu Pillai... ...nor by Vava... ...or any troops of the Thana If anyone can defeat Thanga | 's favorite pupil... ...it is only Thangal himself | know...and I am not sad When I say my prayers each day... ...there is a face I see in my mind Before I die... ... | am glad I could see it once more But... ...why did you do it, Thangal? To people who don't know Kayamkulam Kochunni, he is a thief... ...And a murderer I did not know Kayamkulam Kochunni Till I saw the hundreds waiting outside to receive his body Till I knew that he was God...to the hungry Thank you For not making a mistake with any move I taught you For being my PUP" We have to part now Shall I recite the Salath for you? Live long, our land and its towns... Live long, our homes and heritage Live long, our forests and fields Kochunni of Kayamkulam - may you live long May our hearths and baskets be full Live long, our soil and trees Live long, water and air Kochunni of Kayamkulam - may you love long Live long, our land and its towns... Live long, our homes and heritage Live long, our forests and fields Kochunni of Kayamkulam - may you Hvelong May our hearths and baskets be full Live long, our soil and trees Live long, water and air Kochunni of Kayamkulam - may you Hvelong Kochunni of Kayamkulam - may you live long It was my fervent prayer, Thangal... ...ever since you chose him over me... ".85 your SUCCESSOI... ...that I should be able to witness this with you, my Guru Too bad God did not listen, Keshavan! What I said into his ears... ...did you really think it was a funereal prayer? I am a Guru! Both his and yours! See it now! A move I never taught any of my pupils Starting off with a Ganapathy Ankam and moving into a Garuda karanam... ...before ending in a puli ankam... An intricate set of 36 steps involving 64 elements You wouldn't be able to do it in seven lifetimes, Keshavan! And you can neither stop him, nor win! (Kalari instructions recited) Kochunn Kochunn In the district of Pathanamthitta... ...in the village of Kozhencherry... ...in the Idappara Maladevar Nada Temple... ...this Mussalman lives to this day Standing for the poor and hungry... ..beyond notions of caste and religion" ...a divine ideal... Kayamkulam Kochunni! |
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