Original subtitles

The Ballads of North Malabar are songs

praising the heroic fighters, including the Chekavars

On behalf of noble men in the feudal system

the Chekavars were engaged in combat

The victory of a Chekavar meant the death of his opponent

And the combat type for this match is Kalarippayattu

Chekavars come from different clans, the most known being

The Puthooram Clan

and the Aringodar Clan

Puthooram clan is lead by Kannappa Chekavar,

his son Aromal Chekavar

valiant warrior daughter Unniyarcha

Unniyarcha was married to Kunjiraman

Aromalunni was their son

Somewhat like a bard of the medieval Gaelic and British culture,

a lower class of poets and singers, took the northern ballads forward

They were called Paanan

One such poet

brings the most celebrated story of all, that of Aromal and his cousin, Chandu

to us

It is too coincidental that

the tale of Chandu that is as starkly similar to Shakespeare's Macbeth

took place even before Shakespeare's time

(Kalarippayattu instructions)

Listen!!!

Salutations!!!

Listen to what Paanan has seen

Listen to this heroic tale of Chandu

Everyone's eyes in the crowd were curiously focused on Anna Katu.

full of rage and blood

Malayan was strongly preparing for another attack

But Malayan controls himself Chandu gave his final blow with full force.

Who won pannan?

Chandu?

Or Malayan?

Who won?

Chandu of Elanthalar Matam

Chandu, the brave warrior of the Kalari

Chandu wetted his sword with the blood of Malayan, his father's murderer

When the duel was over

the landlords and rulers

presented him a silk shawl and a bangle

Aromal, have you heard the news?

We have just been informed by Paanan

With unmatched vigour and ferocity he fought Malayan

In the end Malayan fell dead.

The valiant Chandu has guarded the honour of Puthooram Kalari

Our lieutenant, Choppan assisted Malayan!

How dare he?

Despite being our lieutenant, he teams with our enemy?

He shouldn't be pardoned

I must meet with Chandu now

Where is he?

Open your eyes

And tell me what you see?

Let Chandu of Elanthalar Matam win!

Let the lieutenant of Aromal Chekavar win!

I am not the lieutenant of Aromal Chekavar

God bless you!

God bless the future Chekavar of the 18 ½ Kalari.

Me?

The Chekavar of the 18 ½ Kalari?

Why are you shocked listening to these kind words?

You should be happy!

Predicting the accolades you have enticed my friend

Possibly, you could predict my future too?

You shall not become a Chekavar.

But your son shall be

The Chekavar of the 18 ½ Kalari

God bless you both!

Wait... Don't stop!

How do I become the lieutenant of Aromal?

What all did we just hear?

Is this some sort of an illusion?

We should've made her foretell more.

You still don't believe her?

Your son will be made the Chekavar of the 18 ½ Kalari

You would become before him!

Didn't she say that I will be made Aromal's lieutenant?

Kannappa Chekavar has sent us to bring you to him.

He is eager to meet the man who defeated Malayan

Has the Puthooram family forgotten the past then?

Do I fare better than Kunjiraman now?

Old tales are for Paanan to sing

The Puthooram family has called you for a reason

What?

From today you have been appointed

as the Chief Army Commander of Puthuram Chakwar.

Is the prophecy coming true then?

Isn't Choppan lieutenant there?

Why should I then take over his title?

Choppan is no longer the lieutenant

He is lucky that Aromal hasn't killed him for joining Malayan

Sorry... I got a little lost in thought!

Go. We shall come.

Alright

Why should Chandu be my lieutenant from now on?

It's necessary Aromal

To defeat a mighty warrior like Aringodar

Only a warrior like Chandu could do that

But, it was I who objected to his marriage to Unniyarcha

He will make use of the opportunity to deceive me.

Never!

He couldn't being the righteous person that he is.

Do you believe that those who anoint me their lieutenant

will make your son a Chekavar

Don't trust these witches!

With these partial truths

they lead us to destruction

Let's see

If fate deems me to become the Chekavar why should I worry

I know I have wronged you

Forgive me

To correct the wrong I made

From now on Chandu, you will be my lieutenant

I pledge my trust and allegiance to you.

To the 18 ½ Kalari, this land and it's people

I pledge to assist Aromal in all his duels.

Next duel is with Aringodar

I feel quite confident now

With Aringodar?

Yes

I wasn't aware about this

I already accepted money for the duel

Unnikonar visited in search of a Chekavar

With you by my side we could settle his dispute with his brother

Kelu, from now you shall be of service to Chandu

Aromalunni, Archa's son will succeed me to be the next Chekavar

Chandu should be his lieutenant too!

Right, father?

Yes, certainly.

This Poothuram clan has always betrayed me

When they married Archa to Kunjiraman

Now Archa's son, Aromalunni, is on my way

If I'm to become the Chekavar then I will either have to get rid of him or concede.

Archa!

Archa...

You are sitting here without watching the serpent ritual?

The serpent ritual was making me sleepy

Where did the sound of metal clashing come from?

Perhaps you heard bells tinkle at the serpent ritual

Oh... Okay

Who doused the lamp?

A black beetle might have fell on it.

Archa...

She is once again overpowering me

trying to control you

Kuttimani

I saw a Sorceress

There was some celestial power

She foretold I will be conferred the lieutenant,

Aromal's men greeted me saying

I was lieutenant,

and that in time I will be anointed the Chekavar of 18½ Kalari.

I want you to be with me in my days of fortune

Bury this in your heart as a secret.

Heard Chandu is now the lieutenant to Aromal

Yes! It's true

It's true

Did father know?

I should think not

Chandu of Elanthalar Matam is now the lieutenant at the Kalari

Tomorrow you will be made the Chekavar of 18½ Kalari

Then, you should change this kind nature of yours

You should even do what you fear

And have the courage to hold what you got

That, I shall give you.

I will help you from your obstacles

So hurry home to me

I will remove all the hindrances

Kuttimaani

Yes?

Why have you come and lit the lamp at such an odd time?

Uncle, I caution you to be very careful in this duel.

Why?

I need only use half of my fighting skills to defeat Aromal

But Chandu is the newly appointed lieutenant

All your skills won't be enough

If Chandu is the lieutenant, then...

My uncle will be victorious

I won't let you lose!

Let everyone hear what brings us here

Two brothers from a place named Kurungaattu

The elder tells he is older

The younger also tells he is older

Even the midwife was consulted but the riddle couldn't be solved

Finally they approached the chieftain

He ordered for a duel to settle the dispute.

A man to man duel...

or a cockfight?

Speak up Aringodar...

Do you prefer a cockfight or a duel?

Whatever the Chieftain commands.

Chandni Nakat

Cockfight would be enough, councillor?

Yes.

We may settle it with a cock fight.

Go Arakkambulli, peck him to death and emerge victorious

Go and win the fight Paalam Chingan

Very Good.

Aringodar is defeated in the cockfight.

Can we settle the dispute now?

No!

We must duel.

Hasn't this fight settled your dispute?

As you wish my lord.

We have yet to resolve our dispute

We should duel.

There is deceit in Paalam Chingan's claws

If he were honest, we would never be defeated.

Fine

You may fix a date for the man to man duel

Ok then.

Ten days from now we will host a duel

Unnikonaar and Aromal on one side

Unnichandrar and Aringodar as the opposition

I shall give you blood for 10 days in a row

The duel must be won by Aringodar

Chandu of Elanthalar Matam has arrived.

Where did you find him?

How did you bring him over Kunjinnooli?

He was on his way to get the sword mended

When he reached Allimalarkkavu

I gave him your letter without alerting anyone

He has travelled alone.

Now go...

Fix up the barnhouse room

Oh Goddess...

Let all the evil and murderous spirits

enter my body

and make me more of a man

Let my breasts swell with poison and not milk

You already know

that I don't have parents

Yes.

or brothers.

Only an uncle

and you.

If uncle were to die

What will become of me?

You must help us Chandu

I am lonely too.

Tell me how can I help

You must help my uncle.

My uncle can't possibly win in a fair duel.

Then?

Did Aromal not prevent you from marrying Unniarcha?

Might ought to be matched with might and Betrayal countered with betrayal.

There is no technique to overcome deceit

- Help us Chandu - How?

Just do a small favour

You have come to mend Aromal's sword right?

You need to get the iron nails replaced

with bamboo nails

and mould it with golden plates.

None would know

I give you my word

If uncle returns victorious

I will be yours

Unniyarcha promised the same.

Unniyarcha...?

Is Chandu a scavenger to feed on Kunjiraman's leftover?

What the Sorceress predicted must be

There is nothing to think

People can read your face like a book

Your looks should deceive people

You should look like an innocent flower

but be the serpent underneath it.

You should look like an innocent flower

but be the serpent underneath it.

Don't use iron nails

Use bamboo nails and mould it with gold plates.

Do take care of my son

I'm not crying being a woman

so why do you have tears being a man

It's my first duel

Bless me mother!

Go, son!

Come back victorious

The life of a Chekavar's life is filled with sadness and tears

Look at mother

and learn

A Chekavar's courage

lies in the belief of his woman

I feel scared

Be cautious father

My uncle will be victorious

I'm certain

Whether he wins or not It will be just another song for Paanan

A warrior's loyalty lies towards his sword

Chandu! Toss me another sword!

Aromal won't be alive to see tomorrow's sun rise

Stop...

I feel exhausted brother

If you aren't well, we'll go tomorrow

Fair enough.

Let the retinue depart

Alright

What time is it now, son?

The moon has gone down.

Aren't you sleepy?

It's already late

I will sleep after the dance.

I feel very sleepy

But I cannot sleep

Haven't you slept yet?

I can't rest until Aromal has slept

The sorceress' predictions may be coming true

I don't think about it

Stay with me, and I shall honour you when the time comes

I would dare give away what is in hand for an uncertain future

Yet if your promise is befitting of my honour and stature

I will do anything

Indeed

Please try to get some rest.

We shall depart in the morning.

Recollect every word the sorceress said.

You won't get this opportunity.

To show your courage

there won't be a better opportunity

I dare do only what is proper of a man to do

A person who dares to do more is not a man at all

He is resting peacefully on my lap

because I'm his friend and his kin

I am his lieutenant

To protect him is my duty

Then what were you thinking?

When you dared mention it

you were thinking like a man

If you have the strength to do that

you would be beyond a man

Now when it is time to strike, you are trembling.

Had I sworn as you did and if I were a mother I would have dared

to dash the brains out of my own baby tenderly sucking my breast.

I would kill him

Understood?

But, what if we fail?

We won't

Once you cement your courage, we cannot fail

Everyone is immersed in watching the dance

I have drugged and intoxicated all the guards

We will lay blame of Aromal's death

on his drunken guards

What sort of a monster is inside you?

You should have been born a man

We will get rid of Aromal

We will kill Aromal using the lamp

We will then smear blood on the hands and bodies of the drunken guards

Then everyone would believe they did it

Remember one thing

When you hear of Aromal's murder

Grieve loud when you hear of Aromal's death.

So no one will ever suspect you

Now leave!

Let the lamp in front of me lead me to where I belong

Even the earth under my feet

should not know the noise of my footsteps

If it hears, even the tiniest grain of sand would cry at my actions.

Don't think about it any longer

Such thought only makes one crazy

I thought I heard a voice cry

"Chandu has murdered sleep"

What are you on about?

The echo is everywhere. You shall never sleep again...

Chandu has murdered sleep

The lieutenant shall sleep no more

Chandu will sleep no more

It's all your imagination

You should not fail

Wash off these blood stains from your hands

Why have you brought the back the lamp?

Go!

Smear the guards' hands with the blood

No.

I dare not look at it again

You act like a coward

Give me that lamp

What if every sound frightens me like this?

What is to happen of me?

All the water in the seven seas will not wash away this blood

This stain will turn the sea also red

Chandu...

A little water will clear us of this deed

Even my hands are covered with blood

But I hate to see you afraid

The dance will be over soon. I will leave now

People will doubt you if they find you awake

Forget everything and fall asleep

Why aren't you asleep yet?

I am not feeling sleepy.

Did you sleep really late?

I did not sleep until early morning

Has Chandu woken up?

Komappan...

Lieutenant , Is Aromal not up yet?

I doubt he is awake yet. I slept during the dance

He said about leaving early morning

It's late now

I'll go wake him

Last night was unruly

All the lights went out by itself

The hoots of the owl

strange screams of death

It sounded as if something bad were to happen

True...

It was a rough night here too

Someone has stabbed!

Someone has stabbed Aromal Chekavar!!

murdered come on

Come

Who could dare?

Who the hell?

Why have you done this?

Chandu please don't

unfaithful...

Why did you kill my Aromal Chekavar?

Tell me...

Chandu... You shouldn't have killed them

We could have learned the truth

If only I had been killed before this

Now there seems no meaning to this life

All is but a joke now

The accolades...

The fame...

Everything...

Even with an army and a lieutenant

the Chekavar got killed

killed by the guard

and that too with the tip of a lamp!

Why did you kill the guards?

We could have found for whom Aromal was murdered.

That's true

I shouldn't have killed him like this

I should have asked and found out for whom and why they did this

Oh my dear brother...

My brother...

My brother...

Chandu of Elanthalar Matam is appointed the Chekaver of the 18 ½ kalari

He will be known as Chandu Gurukkal

With the power to collect money from all the 18 Kalari's under him

In all its glory please come forward and accept your post

I cannot think of returning to the Puthooram kalari without Aromal.

Aringodar is the offender.

His Kalari is now under my control

I will stay there

Just as the Sorceress had predicted

you have it all!

I fear you have played foul to acquire all this

Kelu...

Dare you imagine I would do such a thing?

If we were to go by her prophecy

my son would be the next Chekavar.

Not your son, right?

I must speak with you about my change of Kalari

I might need some help

We will see tomorrow

Bring your son along.

Sure. My son and I shall come

What happened, Chandu? Why do you look exhausted?

It's nothing, Komappan

You too should join my new Kalari tomorrow.

Why have you invited me all too soon?

Do you see anything?

At the corner of the moon a vaporous drape is falling

I shall catch it before it lands on the ground

Once I work it over with magical spells

the drops shall rear magical spirits that will trick Chandu with hallucinations

He will believe in fascinations

Security is man's greatest enemy

The Sorceress gave me a worn out sword and a shield

which made my God become nothing in front of him

If all this is true then...

I have killed Aromal and

tortured my mind

for Kelu's son.

All this effort for Kelu's son!

Such thoughts should have ceased the moment you did the deed.

What is the point thinking about it all now

What's done is done. Now we must move on swiftly.

We have only wounded the snake.

It is not dead yet.

You must keep calm.

My mind is disturbed as long as Kelu and his son are alive

The thought itself makes me go crazy!

They are not immortal, are they?

That's true. They can be no more!

They shouldn't be alive to see tomorrow's sunrise

How?

What are you going to do?

Bad deeds encourage you to commit more bad deeds

It's better you don't know

Do you recall what I said yesterday?

Yes. We remember.

If Kelu is the one to have betrayed Aringodar, then,

we shall seek our revenge.

Kelu is my enemy too

I could finish him but...

I can't do it because he had been a long time friend too

I can't renounuce him

Thus I need your help

We will see to it but

what about our lives?

Do not worry

I will protect you

I will tell you where to hide and when to strike

It should happen tomorrow and

without fault

Him and his son, Kungan's life must go down in one strike.

And remember

The son's death is as important to me as that of his father's!

Forget what the sorceress told you. It's all rubbish.

Even when all is unfolding as the sorceress foretold?

I am not enjoying this at all. This journey... this talk...

I will speak about you when speaking about the Kalari

You are to become the next Chekavar.

You are going to achieve this without fighting a duel

Run Kungan!

Run for your life!

Chandu has betrayed us.

Why is Kelu getting late?

We are expecting him soon!

Komappan has also not shown up!

Is this blood on your face?

It's Kelu's blood. He lies there with 20 gashes!

He was already down in the first strike

His son?

He escaped!

Get out from my sight

Get out of my sight!

Everybody please leave!

Are you not seeing what's happening?

Look... There!

Calm down... he is smiling at me.

he is smiling at me No one is there

He is still alive!

Chandu clam down.

He is still alive!

I'm not afraid!!!

no one can scare me

I'm a Chekavar

Where is he?

He was right there

I'm not afraid

nor should a man like you

You ruin our happiness by your conduct

I’m drowning in blood... too far in...

What you can't see is scaring me!

It's all my imagination...

My imagination...

Have you entered her body?

You need to answer my questions

She can read your thoughts. Heed her words

It is unclear what you are. I demand you answer me

Chandu... Beware of Attumanammel Archa

Beware of Archa's son, Aromalunni...

You understand what I fear.

Tell me more

Tell me everything

I need to kill Komappan.

Don't be afraid. Be resolute as a rock.

Chandu shall not be vanquished

Until heavy rain and the Tulunaadu forest marches to you

Is that even possible?

Heavy rains and the Tulunaadu forest to march against this land?

I shall now live here fearlessly...

Isn't this skill enough to sever the head off of that traitor?

You know nothing about Chandu's might and his deceitful tactics, Archa

He has mastered the fighting techniques of Tulunaadu

To defeat him we must match up to that

If what Komappan and Kungan say is true

Chandu killed my brother

Finding his love in Kuttimaani and taking over as the Chekavar

are all a continuation of his betrayal

Now he has killed Kelu too

If we fail to seek vengeance, the honour of Puthooram Kalari is in jeopardy

We must seek vengeance

For that, the techniques of this Kalari are not enough

We will go to Tulunaadu.

Along with Aromalunni and Kannappanunni, we will join the Kalari of Kotha Baidya

Together we will devise a strategy.

"Aromal was betrayed and killed"

"but I must not reveal by whom"

There is one with a crooked eye and sword

in my mind

Wonder if that is him

Even I have someone in mind

A man who bears the wounds of yesteryears in his heart

"He is the one who replaced iron nails with bamboo nails"

"He who purposefully delayed offering a second sword during the duel"

Komappan has not turned up for the change of Kalari?

I heard he reached Tulunaadu

Kothi Baidhya welcomed him with due respect

They are preparing for a duel

Ask him to stay alert

I don't think Chandu will stop at this

Chekavar...

Any news about Komappan?

I hear he fled to Tulunaadu

Tulunaadu?

Yes

Time, you acted upon my dreadful plans

To get rid of Komappan as become necessary

After him... His home...

His wife...

His son...

Their blood shall wet my sword

What has made him flee to Tulunaadu?

Be patient

He was restless

This is madness

Sometimes, people appear as traitors not because of actions but of fear!

I cannot tell whether it was wise or not of him to have left.

It's hardly courageous for a man to run away, leaving his wife and child.

Where am I supposed to flee with my child?

I do not have answers to your questions

Yet, I caution you

If you can, avoid this place.

Chandu seems capable of anything

And my son...

Aren't you a man? A Chekavar? And yet to fear!

Why is this blood so red?

I can't wash away these blood stains

All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this hand.

Why won't this smell go?

Why wouldn't this go?

You wash your hands

Your hands are covered with blood

Kelu has been buried

He will not resurrect

Do not fear...

Infected minds confess their secrets to deaf pillows

She needs a divine soul, not a doctor

Keep her under your watch.

One who masters the fighting in the rain is a real Warrior

He who stands firmly on slippery ground

resembles the drops of rain that fall and the wind that blows fiercely

That's right

Yes. This might be the only technique Chandu hasn't mastered.

Now we shall find a worthy vassal who wants to fix a duel

I have seen vassals going in search of Chekavars before.

But a Chekavar in searching of a vassal is a first for me

To avenge Chandu, Puthooram family must fix a duel.

Chandu Chekavar, I am here to fix a duel

Is there a Chekavar remaining to take on Chandu in a duel?

Yes, Puthooram House

In Puthooram House?

Who will fight me?

Unniyarcha?

Or my uncle?

Or both together?

No, it's Aromalunni

I don't fight children

He has been trained in Tulunaadu.

Unniyarcha is by his side

Kannappa Chekavar and Komappan too

You need to watch out Chandu!

Why do you sit in the altar like a priest with a lamp aglow?

Won't I win the duel against Puthooram Aromalunni?

Please speak Kuttimaani.

Can your gods foretell my victory and defeat?

If your gods do not know, surely the devils will.

This duel will determine everything.

Either I will be a respected Chekavar or everything will end with this

For the kind of life I have led I am left with no one.

At this age, I will have no love or respect. Just curse!

Tulunaadu techniques are effortless for Chandu.

I won't think about the new techniques taught there.

Until heavy rain and Tulunaadu forest come down to this land

Chandu cannot be defeated.

That's what the sorceress foretold.

How is...

her condition?

She needs time.

Her condition cannot be easily cured.

All this is enough!!

Take away that sadness from her thoughts.

Feed medicines for that

Medicines cannot cure her. She must heal herself.

Doctor, have you been able to diagnose and treat my land?

No!

Guardian Gods of my Kalari...

I am not afraid.

I have forgotten fear and

I have committed many wrongful deeds...

I am not scared...

What was the need for this now?

I wish she died after the duel

the days creep slowly along until the end of time

The days gone by have taken fools that much closer to their deaths.

It is like a poor actor who struts and worries for his hour on stage

and then is never heard from again.

Life...

is a tale told by an idiot

Full of noise and emotional disturbance but devoid of meaning

Nothing!

Be victorious!

Tulunaadan Kalari would not betray

Concentration. That's the only thing required here

There must be rain on your way. Take the branches to cover yourself

Everyone has left Chandu. He is alone now.

There is nothing to think

The way to win the duel

should only be on your mind

Look... the Tulunaadan forest and heavy rain...

Is the prophecy coming true!

If I'm to die...

I would fight till my death

Let the duel begin in the rain

Listen to what Paanan has seen!!!

Listen to what Paanan has seen!!!

This time...

the prophecy became true

With Chandu's death

Kelu's son becomes the Chekavar of the 18 and a half Kalari