Kadathanadu

Kadathanadu (Vatakara, Kadolkachakshiti in Sanskrit) was a former feudatory (of Kolathunad) city-state in present day Kerala state, South India, on the Malabar Coast famed for its anthology of heroic songs, folklores and ballads (known as Vadakkan Pattukal) and for Kalarippayattu.

Geographical location

Geographically, Kadathanadu is part of North Malabar and situated to the south of Thalassery and north of Koyilandy by the side of historical Kotakkal river. The area around 6 km from Vatakara is known as Kadathanadu. The place is now part of Puduppanam in vatakara. (please refer Vatakara and Memunda)

Kadathanadu, apart from its cultural richness is also bestowed with the presence of a famous temple, the Lokanarkavu.

History

The erstwhile princely state of Kadathanadu was ruled by Rajas of Kadathanadu belonging to the Nair caste who were feudatories to the Kolathiri. Around 1750, the ruler of Kadathanadu had adopted the title of Raja, with the explicit consent of the Kolathiri. Harivihar is the 150-year-old residence of the Kadathanadu royal family. Folklore has it that the sons of the Kadathanadu rulers were sent to Calicut to be educated in institutions set up by the Zamorin of Calicut, and hence a city house was built for the young princes.

During Malayalam Era 965 corresponding to 1789-90, Tipu Sultan crossed over to Malabar with his army. A small army of 2000 Nairs and Ezhavas of Kadathanadu resisted the invasion of the huge army of Tipu Sultan from a fortress in Kuttipuram for a few weeks. They were reduced to starvation and death. And forced conversion to islam.