Kadamattathu Kathanar

2021-07-10T06:03:34Z

2409:4073:4E9A:6162:0:0:7E0B:9E0C: /* Last days And Possessions */

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2019}}
[[File:Kadamattom St. George Church.jpg|thumb| [[Kadamattom Church]] in [[Ernakulam district]], [[Kerala]]]]

'''Kadamattathu Kathanar''' ( a [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church| Syrian Orthodox Church]] priest of Kadamattom church) also known as '''Kadamattathachan''' (Father Kadamattom) is a priest ([[Kathanar]]) who is believed to have possessed supernatural powers and whose legends are closely related to the beginning of the [[Kadamattom Church]], one of the oldest church buildings that still exists in [[Kerala]] the land of [[Saint Thomas Christians]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ml.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%B4%90%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B9%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AF%E0%B4%AE%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B2/%E0%B4%95%E0%B4%9F%E0%B4%AE%E0%B4%B1%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B1%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D_%E0%B4%95%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BE%E0%B5%BC|title=Wikibooks Malayalam- Aithihyamala- Kadamattathu Kathanar |publisher=Wikibooks-Malayalam |date=2011-06-07 |accessdate=2011-06-10}}</ref> The church belongs to the Syrian Orthodox Church which stands on a hill about 30 km from [[Ernakulam]] on the [[Moovattupuzha]] road. The history of this church was not written down, but lives through legends. The stories about Kadamattathu Kathanar embody the exaggerated experience of the people in that area giving expression through [[magic (paranormal)|magic]] and [[Magic (paranormal)|sorcery]]. The stories relating to him tells that he had supernatural powers and being a Christian priest used his [[magic (paranormal)|magic]] for the common good.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2005/02/18/stories/2005021802230300.htm |title=Kathanar's Kadamattam |publisher=The Hindu |date=2005-02-18 |accessdate=2011-05-11}}</ref>

In medieval legends, history and fables were combined inextricably.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/lf/2004/08/01/stories/2004080100490200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109105759/http://www.hindu.com/lf/2004/08/01/stories/2004080100490200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-11-09 |title=A symbol of amity |date=2004-08-01 |work=[[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2011-05-17}}</ref> The story of Kadamattathu Kathanar might be a mixture of history and fables. Currently there is no certain proof that he really existed, but the fact that a real priest lived in that area in the ninth century cannot be denied.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kerala.cc/keralahistory/index20.htm |title=Chera times of the Kulasekharas |publisher=kerala.cc |date= |accessdate=2011-05-17}}</ref> Tradition points out the existence of Christians in the area from 5th century of the Christian Era.<ref>Kottoor_kulangattil Family Magazine 2012 (Kottoor Church History)</ref>
[[File:Mar Sabor and Mar Proth East Syriac Persian Saints of the Malabar Church.jpg|thumb|Mar Sabor and Mar Proth]]

==Story<ref>{{citation|title=Stories from Ithihyamala: fables of Kerala|author=A. K. Shrikumar|publisher=Children's Book Trust |year=2001|isbn= 9788170119036|pages=79–94}}</ref><ref>Kottarathil Sankunni. ''EithihyamaalaIythiha Maala'' (legends of [[Kerala]]). Chapter 72. pp 380-391.</ref>==

===Childhood===
''Poulose'' later known as karthanar was born in a very poor Syrian Christian family in Kadamattom, a small village in North [[Travancore]] (now part of [[Kerala]]). People fondly called him ''Kochu Poulose''. He had no siblings and his parents died when he was a child. He was taken care of by his mother for a short period before her death after which he came under the patronage of the Persian priest Mar Abo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/28/stories/2011012859820300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109105622/http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/28/stories/2011012859820300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-11-09 |title=St. Mar Abo festival |date=2011-01-28 |work=[[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2011-05-17}}</ref> Living in a small cottage with no one to look after, he felt depressed, left his home and went to a nearby church. The [[parish priest]] who passed that way saw this boy crying and praying on the doorsteps of his church. He took him to his house gave him shelter and food and cared for him like his own child.

Soon the parish priest had realized that this boy was religious, intelligent and efficient. So he was given a good education under a famous teacher. The priest himself took time to teach him [[Syriac language|Syriac]] and [[Mass (liturgy)|Liturgy of the Mass]]. In due course he was ordained as a [[Deacon]] and people began to call him ''Deacon Poulose''.

===Mastering of Magical Powers===
According to a popular legend, a local priest had a herd of cattle which were taken out by a servant boy to the nearby hills for grazing. One day while he was out with the cattle on the hills, a tiger came and killed one of them. Afraid of the tiger the boy ran to the village and told the priest what had happened. The priest and Deacon Poulose, immediately summoned the people in the village and they went out in different directions searching for the cattle. By sunset all the cattle returned, except the one that was killed by the tiger.

But soon the priest realized that Deacon Poulose, who went in search of the cattle, did not return. Search parties went out in different directions that night. But there was no sign of the deacon. Days passed by, still he had not returned. Though the villagers thought that he was killed by the tiger, the priest believed that he was still alive somewhere.

Paulose had actually lost his way in the deep forest which eventually led him to a group of ancient tribals. It is believed that he mastered his magical powers from these cannibal tribes known as Mala Arayas living in subterranean abodes. Their leader who became fond of Paulose, allowed him to stay with them for many years during which he learned the secrets of magical performances.

Paulose later escaped from there after which the Mala Arayas searched for him in vain. It is believed that Kathanar escaped by staying in the church when the cannibal tribes created a storm in their effort to destroy the church and capture him. The scars said to be generated by the storm are still visible on the walls of the church.

Mar Sabor the [[Bishop]] who ordained him as a priest left from Kadamattom after the arrival of Paulose. The Bishop built many churches,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sor.cua.edu/ChMon/Ankamaly/AkaparambuMSaborAphroth.html|title=Mor Sabor-Mor Aphroth, Akaparambu|first=Thomas|last=Joseph|website=sor.cua.edu}}</ref> Kayamkulam and finally settled at Thevalakkara,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.marthamariamorthodoxsyrianchurch-thevalakara.in/ml/marabo.php |title=Archived copy |access-date=23 October 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218023800/http://www.marthamariamorthodoxsyrianchurch-thevalakara.in/ml/marabo.php |archive-date=18 February 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> his tomb inside the Martha Mariam Church Thevalakkara.

It is difficult to detail all the great deeds in the life of Kadamattathu Kathanar as not many verifiable records exist. He has written a number of books on [[Magic (paranormal)|sorcery]] but his writings are not legible and is incomprehensive to the lay reader.

===Last days And Possessions===
Neither his date of birth nor date of death are known. Till the end of his life, he did not reveal from where or from whom he received lessons on [[Magic (paranormal)|sorcery]]from a group of satanists and he worshiped lucifer inorder to attain special powers on magic. It is believed that he went into a cave and disappeared. The cave, which is located beside the church is still preserved.

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode=packed-hover>
Nasrani cross.jpg| Famous Persian Cross- front view
Persian Cross Kadamatam church.jpg|Persian Cross-side view
കടമറ്റം‍പള്ളി-അൾത്താര.jpg|Altar of the church
Kadamattomchurch.jpg|External view of the church
Tomb of Marthoma IX.jpg|Tomb of Marthoma IX
Malika.jpg|Bishops rest room built in the late 1940s or earlier
Writingonthewall.jpg|Unknown inscription on the wall of the church
</gallery>

==In Media==
* In the 1966 film ''[[Kadamattathachan (1984 film)|Kadamattathachan]]'', [[Prem Nazir]] played the lead role.
* A popular TV series ''[[Kadamattathu Kathanar (TV series)|Kadamattathu Kathanar]]'' was telecasted by [[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]] in which actor Prakash Paul played Kathanar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/04/30/stories/2004043001280801.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040917132746/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/04/30/stories/2004043001280801.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2004-09-17 |title=Kadamattathu Kathanar |date=2004-04-30 |work=[[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2011-05-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/04/30/stories/2004043001280801.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040917132746/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/04/30/stories/2004043001280801.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2004-09-17 |title=Bhavan's Adarsh Vidyalaya emerges winner |date=2004-10-03 |work=[[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2011-05-17}}</ref>
* A similar TV series was produced by [[JaiHind TV|Jai Hind television channel]] and by [[Surya TV]] (titled ''Kadamattathachan''). Prakash Paul played the title role in both.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tvlistings/ZCSGrid.do?sgridType=list&fromTimeInMillis=1250049600000&stnNum=35757 |title=TV Listings- Surya TV|publisher=tvlistings |date= |accessdate=2011-05-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/02/08/stories/2008020850170400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212073913/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/02/08/stories/2008020850170400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-02-12 |title=Jai Hind- Serials |date=2008-02-08 |work=[[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2011-05-17}}</ref>
* Past films and TV series had inaccurately portrayed Kadamattathu Kathanar as a [[Order of Friars Minor Capuchin|Capuchin]] priest. He was a priest in the [[Church of the East]]. Hence he wore the traditional attire of priests from the Assyrian church such as the phiro (a small black cap) and the black robe.
* In the movie ''[[Megasandesam]]'' cast by [[Suresh Gopi]] & [[Samyuktha Varma]] actor [[Napoleon (actor)|Napoleon]] plays the role of a descendant of Kadamattathu Kathanar.
* On February 14, 2020 [[Friday Film House]] announced a movie called ''[[Jayasurya filmography|Kathanar]]'' which is based on the character starring actor [[Jayasurya]] in the titular role.

==See also==
*[[Kottarathil Sankunni]]
*[[Yakshi]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*Kottarathil Sankunni, ''Aithihyamaala'' (legends of [[Kerala]] in Malayalam). Current Books. 1909. {{ISBN|81-240-0010-7}}.
*Mathew, N.M. ''Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charitram'', (History of the Marthoma Church), Volume 1. Tiruvalla. 2006.

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[[Category:Kerala folklore]]
[[Category:Legendary Indian people]]
[[Category:Syriac Orthodox clergy]]

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Kadamattathu Kathanar