1.1. The Raksapurusaka by Krishnachandra

Kerala was ruled by kings who were virtuous and models of that institution. Gradually the monarchy gave way to some sort of democracy within limited pattern. Raksapurusa, the protector or administrator replaced the king. This was a necessity of the period. The ruling king had no nephew to succeed to the throne nor a son who might have stepped into inherit the throne. The aged king adopted a prince from a neighbouring country to provide a successor. But against his expectations the princess became a tyrant even before he actually succeeded to the throne. Atlast the king dismisses him in a will and appoints three Raksapurusas through a decree. These Raksapurusas are to be elected by the representatives of the people. This in short is the gift of the theme of Raksapurusa, the first in the trilogy. This drama is in seven acts.

The present Sanskrit dramas are primarily based on the anecdotes narrated by the author in his Malayalam book Keralakatha^[1].

The book contains five anecdotes under the titles.

1. Kuttam kuti;
2. Kulam eri;
3. Yogam vannu;
4. Perumalayi and
5. Parivartanam.

These stories are conceived in a sequence and they strike to represent a progressive development of social and cultural aspects of Kerala.

Raksapurusaka [Raksapurusakam] represents the first of these entitled ‘Kuttam kuti’ which means ‘they assembled’. The assembly mentioned here is the great assembly that converged to elect the Raksapurusas. It was the culmination of a series of events which led to the inevitable end. The gradual deterioration of monarchy had given way to democratic set up.

The characters are drawn from the ancient Kerala society and some of their representatives still survive despite the vast political change that has taken place. The dramatists has only changed the Vernacular names the story is narrated without deviating the traditional patterns and behavior of the people. Hence the difference in their names alone need be noted here.

The following table shows the Sanskritised names and their Vernakular versions in the original story.

Kamala — Kaimal
Syamata — Ittikkali
Pattaraya — Ilamkur
Sridasa — Nampi
Kurumbha — Netumkurup
Komala — Unnimata
Kandalika — Cirutamma
Karta — Utayavar
Adhyaksa — Pramani
Senapati — Perumpatanaykkan

Other minor characters are referred in terms usually associated with the servants and dependents of aristocratic house holds.

Reflection of Kerala culture

Rev. H. Gundert in his lexican called ‘A Malayalam and English Dictionary’ define the term as ‘the regent of old Kerala chosen by Brahmin representatives for three to twelve years. Further he states that “the 18 chiefs of the armed Brahmins” are also referred to by the term. Old works like Keralolpatti and Keralamahatmya contain references to Raksapurusas.

In the present drama the term stands for the representatives of people choosen by the assembly for a period of three years. After the term they are given the title of Saudhapati or Matampi. They get a palatial mansion and some servants under them. Both Brahmins and Nayars send their representatives for the elections.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Keralakatha Part 1 & 2, Tricchur 1951 contains several such stories.