Chandu Chekavar

Chandu Chekavar, also known as Chathiyan Chanthu (Chandu the betrayer), was a sixteenth-century warrior mentioned in the folk songs of Northern Kerala called Vadakkan Pattukal. He belongs to the Thiyya community in Kadathanad North Malabar, South India.

According to the ballads, Chandu was a Chekavar (warrior), like his cousins Aromal Chekavar and Unniyarcha. Chandu Chekavar secretly hated Aromal's family because his love for Unniyarcha was spurned. This leads to him taking part as Aromal's helper in a duel ("Ankam") with Aringodar Chekavar. Chandu chekavar allies with Aringodar chekavar and sabotages Aromal's sword by replacing the metal rivets holding the blade to the hilt with wooden ones.During the duel the blade get separated but Aromal picks up the blade and throws it at Aringoder killing him. After that Aromal won, Chandu takes matters into his own hands and unexpectedly stabs his cousin to death. Henceforth, the word Chathiyan, meaning "Betrayer", is added to his name to indicate his infamy. Unniyarcha, herself a warrior and Aromal's sister, vows revenge for her brother's life. Revenge is finally achieved when her son Aromal Unni Chekavar challenges Chandu to a duel and kills him.[1]