Keloth Tharavad: The cinema house of Wayanad

Keloth Tharavad: The cinema house of Wayanad
Keloth Tharavad

Keloth Tharavad, a 350 year old ancestral house in Wayanad, is becoming a much-favoured location for many Malayalam films and teleserials. 'Thudi,' directed by Anilkumar, the ghost film 'Amma,' which was released in Malayalam, Tamil and Kannada as well as many other telefilms, serials and home cinemas including that of Madambu Kunjukuttan has been shot here. Here's the story of the cinema house of Wayanad.

Keloth Tharavad, located in Panamaram Panchayath in Wayanad district has become a much-favoured location for the makers of films and teleserials made in Wayanad, much like the Varikkassery Mana of Palakkad which had become the lucky icon of Malayalam filmdom. This 350-year-old ancient house is one of those few buildings that have endeared itself to the viewers, much like their favourite stars. This 'Naalukettu,' sits tall at Cherukattoor, in the Panamaram-Valliyoorkkavu Road.

This ancient house has become the location for 'Thudi,' directed by Anilkumar, 'Amma,' a ghost movie which was released in Malayalam, Tamil and Kannada as well as many telefilms, serials and home cinemas including that of Madambu Kunjukuttan.

Favoured place of ancient kings

Keloth Tharavad: The cinema house of Wayanad

The rulers of Kottayam (in Malabar) used to stay at Keloth Tharavad when they were visiting Wayanad. It is also believed that Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, the chieftain of Malabar who fought with the British had once stayed here during the war. It is also believed that at a certain time in history, the Tharavad had owned 32 elephants and numerous horses. Later, the family underwent a partition, splitting up all the property among the members. According to the partition deed executed in 1998, the property including the ancient house went to Kuppathodu Lakshmi Akkamma.

Royal House

Talking of the age of Keloth Tharavad would take the listeners back to more than 300 years. The Tharavad has seen more than three hundred Onam celebrations. It is a typical Naalukettu building, with ‘Padinjattini,’ (The Western Block), ‘Thekkini,’ (The Southern Block), ‘Kizhakkini,’ (The Eastern Block), ‘Vadakkini,’ (The Northern Block) and a Nadumuttam, the central courtyard. The building, constructed with the best quality timber, laterite and marble, could be taken as a perfect model for the traditional Kerala architecture. It has huge verandahs that could accommodate hundreds of people, spacious rooms and a large hall on the third floor. The chairs and cots gifted by the royalty are still kept preciously here. The present owner of the house is Keloth Saji. Tourists can also visit the house as well as stay here. (Ph: 7591908006).

A little bit of history

Wayanad was under the rule of the Kottayam Dynasty (of Malabar) during the 13th century. Later, the local rulers divided the region into 10 swaroopams and the administration of each swaroopam was handed over to the local Nair chieftains. According to this system, the Kuppathodu Nair family got Kuppathodu, Pakkam and Pulpally. The Keloth Tharavad was given to the third one in the Kuppathodu Family.

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