ROWDY- (THE ROWDY)

NOVEL-1958

Paramu, Ouseph and Adraman were teenage friends. Paramu was a little girlish. Ouseph was short in stature and Adraman was lame. Playing marble was their past time. Paramu’s father Kuttan Pillai, a police constable died at the hands of a thug. Paramu’s mother Madhavi Amma and sister Gowri stayed in a hutment but Paramu used to spend the night at Sankara Panickers tea-shop. Panickers bachelorhood and Paramus feminine features combined to give their relationship an illicit colour in the eyes of the villagers. Certain comments from his own mother about this affair made him flee from the village.

Paramu returned after few years, grown up into manhood. But he was not readily accepted by his family. He met his friends Ouseph and Adraman, Ouseph did not do anything worthwhile. But he sported a knife and was some-how making both ends meet. Adraman has become a beedi-maker. That was his livelihood. Paramu was dejected and penniless. One day he stole Ousephs knife and ran-away hoping that he could sell it and have a hearty meal. He was chased by Ouseph and others but nobody dared to go near him as he was armed. It was then that he realized the value of that weapon, which kept the people at bay. Paramu thus became Paramu Chattambi (Paramu the rowdy). Ouseph became Paramus spokesman. Thrilling stories started spreading about Paramus valour and courage. They soon got a patron also- Karattu Govinda Kurup.

Another rowdy Kaimal Chattampi under the patronage of Kunju Panicker was also gaining strength. Stories about his physical fitness and fearlessness were also gaining popularity. A confrontation between the two rowdies was imminent. Only the victor could remain Chattambi. In fact it was a prime need of the villagers too. They could not afford to sustain too many rowdies. It was decided that they fight a dual as and was the local custom it was to be held on the day of the festival of Munddankavu Bhagavathy Temple.The festivities were full of pomp and splendour. Though Paramu lost the first bout he recovered from the shock, pulled open his knife and stabbed Kaimal on his chest. He died on the spot. Paramu was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment. Before he got arrested Paramu entrusted the knife with Ouseph for safe-keeping.

Three years was a period of change for the village. New shops came up and the existing ones had a face lift. Of the new arrivals, “Sree Bhoothanatha Vilasom Nair Hotel and Tea-shop” was the one that became a landmark. The new hotel was owned by Pappu Nair. Pappu Nair was an ardent devotee of Lord Ayyappan and hence people called him Periasamy. The establishment was looked after by his wife Sankariamma, daughters Devayani and Saraswathy and son Bhaskaran who was also a student. Periaswamy’s business flourished, but that made other jealous of him and they did their best to tarnish him and to malign the reputation of his daughters.

One day as the transport bus stopped in front of Pappu Niars hotel, there elighted from the bus, Paramu Chattambi. Ouseph and others gave him a heros welcome. Again stories started spreading anout Paramu Chattambi. Paramu retrieved his knife and went about harassing people for his food and comforts. Periaswamy however did not brother. But his wife Sankariamma thought it to be wiser to befriend Paramu because his friendship will silence the scandal mongers. Sankariamma ivited Paramu for lunch and the daughters attended on him. It became a daily routine. Periaswamy and son Bhaskaran could not stand this humiliation and they left the village.

Paramu Chattambi started running the shop and it was not many days before the hotel was closed down. But Parmu stayed on. Paramu begot a child in Devayani. He was named Vasu. Eventually Paramu was driven out by Devayani. Periaswamy returned and restarted the hotel in a humble way.

Years passed by. Paramu Chattampi was feared by all but nobody had any respect or affection for him. His hey days were bygone. But in his mind he remained a Chattambi. On day with the slightest provocation he entered into a brawl with his one time bosom friend Ouseph and killed him inside Periaswamys hotal. Another accomplice pulled out the knife and stabbed Paramu Chattampi, in front of his son Vasu. Vasu took his father in his arms and pulled out the knife. Paramu breathed his last, but not before advising him to get rid of the knife.

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