Perumthachan Biography 
Perumthachan is a legendary figure in the folklore of Kerala and Kerala architecture and wood works are fully dedicated to him. "Perunthachan" literally means Great craftsman. All Kerala artists and architects pay due respect to him and before initiating any work, they pray to this legendary craftsman. Many folk stories related to his birth, siblings and the envious story of him and his son are still popular in Kerala. National award winning movie, Perunthachan is a record of his life history and his clashes with his son, who himself was an architect brilliant than his father.
Many of his legends and stories are compiled in the famous Malayalam work, Aithehya Mala, written by Kottarathil Sankunni. Set of stories compiled under ‘Parayi petta pantheerukulam’ has been read by all Malayalis across the world and as per this book, Perunthachan was born to a Brahmin father Vararuchi and scheduled caste mother and he has 11 siblings - Mezhathol Agnihothri, Pakkanar, Rajakan, Vallon, Vaduthala Nair, Uppukoottan, Akavoor Chathan, Karakkal Amma, Pananaar, Naranath Bhranthan and Vayillakunnilappan. All the siblings form an integral part of Kerala culture and are famous in their own norms. Many temples across Kerala have been attributed to them.
According to legends, his parents left him as soon as he was born, like his siblings and he was raised by parents belonging to carpenter caste. He was called Raman. He had extra ordinary skills in carpenter work and architecture and many temples across Kerala carry the finger prints of this great carpenter. Though Raman Perunthachan was born to a Brahmin father and he read Sanskrit scripts, he was not accepted as a Brahmin by society, as he was born to a pariah woman.
There are still many stories told across Kerala about the brilliance of Perunthachan. A stone pillar at Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple, believed to be constructed in the 1st Chera King is attributed to Perumthachan. Perunthachan’s chisel at a temple in Panniyoor on the banks of River Nila also has a lot of stories to tell.
Published: N/A
Updated: July 22, 2014
