Myths, fairy tales and allegories have always mesmerised M readers all over the world. Even today, people take pleasure and thrill in reading folktales and fables. Each and every region of the various countries of the world nourish its own lineage of fantasy that enthralls the young, the not so young and the old alike. Kerala has her own treasure-trove of legends, folklore and parables. Malabar, the Northern region of Kerala was famed for its unique culture and heritage, from the ancient past. The land was made up of nine taluks namely Chirakkal, Kottayam, Kurumbranad, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Eranad, Valluvanad, Ponnani and Palakkad. It had an area of 15000 square kilometres and extended 233 Kilometres along the coast and 40-120 Kilometres inland. Kozhikode was the capital of Malabar. The land yielded the best quality Pepper for which European powers like the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and the British invaded her one after the other.
Following the fall of the Cheras, the powerful Zamorins of the Nediyiruppu Swaroopam had North Malabar under their sway from the 12th century AD. It continued to be so until the British established their supremacy over the land in the 18th century. Vettathu Swaroopam, Kollangode Raja and Tharoor Swaroopam were the vassals of the Zamorin. Kolathiri, Arakkal and Kottayam were the independent Princely states of Malabar. The Nilambur Royal Family based in Malappuram needs a special mention, for it represented the Zamorins.
During the medieval period, the society of Malabar was notorious for feudal brutality. The Naduvazhis known as Vazhunnors and landlords known as jenmis exploited the peasants for selfish motives. Caste system and untouchability menaced the life of the common folk. Women of upper castes especially Nambudiri families had no freedom. Smarthavicharam was a social malpractice that banished the fallen woman of the Nambudiri community from the family forever. It was an ill practice generally known as Adukkaladoshavicharam and Kalavicharam. In the beginning, it was a system of imparting justice aimed at the concept of Kulavishuddhi and also implementing chastisement accordingly. It was a long trial carried out by the smarthans who would be scholars in Dharmashastras.
After questioning and cross questioning the Sadhanam and declare their verdict. Smarthavicharam was a cunningly organized scheme by the male-dominated class to outcaste women.
'Mannappedi Pulappedi' was yet another social malpractice that permitted the untouchables like the Pulayas and the Parayas to abduct the women of the upper class on certain hours of the day or on certain days. (The literal meaning of the word 'Pedi' is fear.) The women of upper-class were afraid of the Pulayas and the Parayas, because given a chance, the untouchables would abduct them. Since the malpractice incurred pidi, it was also known as 'Mannappidi Pulappidi. On certain days, the untouchables had the permission to hide behind some cover and abduct the women of upper class.
Once she was subjected to defilement due to physical contact with an untouchable, the woman of upper class was refused entry into her own house. It was not necessary that she had physical contact with an untouchable. It was enough for an untouchable to squail or pelt her to subject her to defilement.
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