The following is a list of characters in Marthandavarma, an 1891 historical novel by C. V. Raman Pillai.
Main characters
Marthanda Varma (Prince) Marthanda Varma is also referred to as Yuvarajavu (Prince). He is a young man, between 20 and 25 years old, with a heroic appearance. Heir to the throne after the reign of King Rama Varma, he is known for his generosity and reluctance to impose harsh punishment (as advised by Ramayyan Dalawa. To escape attackers, he often adopts disguises. He values Subhadra's words, which makes him release Kudamon Pillai from detention upon ascending the throne.
Ananthapadmanabhan Ananthapadmanabhan adopts disguises, including Shamsudeen of Kasi and a mad Channan beggar, to help Marthanda Varma evade his enemies. Twenty-two years old, he is adept in combat. Ananthapadmanabhan is the son of Thirumukhathu Pillai from a relationship after his father's marriage to Kudaman Pillai's maternal niece, making him Subhadra's younger half-brother.
He is in love with Parukutty of Chembakassery. Attacked and left for dead in the Panchavan forest, he is rescued by Pathan merchants. After his recovery, he disguises himself to rescue Marthanda Varma from Mangoikkal and helps Hakkim help the prince. He introduces Mangoikkal Kuruppu to the Pathan merchants and helps him learn the Hindustani language.
Subhadra Subhadra, also known as Chembakam Akka, is the daughter of Thirumukhathu Pillai and Kudamon Pillai's maternal niece. She is Ananthapadmanabhan's half-sister. Age 25, she is known for her beauty. She was married to a relative of Kudamon Pillai, but their marriage ended after six months due to allegations of a relationship between her and Padmanabhan Thambi.
Fierce and determined, Subhadra seeks revenge against those who destroyed her marriage and plays a key role in helping Marthanda Varma escape from the conspirators. She is killed by Kudamon Pillai.
Padmanabhan Thambi Padmanabhan Thambi, also known as Shri Rayi Padmanabhan Thambi, Pappu Thambi or Thambi, is the elder son of King Rama Varma. A well-built man with a fair complexion, he likes to wear ornaments. He is attracted to beautiful women (including Subhadra and Parukutty), and is involved in relationships with Sivakami and a woman from Ezhamkudi (Seventh House). Ambitious and power-hungry, Thambi aspires to the throne after his father's reign.
Sundrayyan Sundarayyan, also known as Pulamadan, is the 40-year-old son of a Brahmin from Madurai and a Marava woman. He is married to Kalakkutty's niece. Sundarayyan is the chief conspirator of plans to secure Thambi's succession to the throne. He rranges a marriage proposal between Thambi and Parukutty before he is killed by Beram Khan at Manakkadu.
Parukutty Parukutty, also known as Parvathi Amma, Parvathi Pillai or Thankam, is the daughter of Karthyayani Amma and Ugran Kazhakkoottathu Pillai. The 16-year-old is tall, slim and fair, (resembling the magnolia champaca flower), and is well-versed in mathematics and the Amarakosha. She has a talent for reciting the Ramayana in a melodious voice. Parukutty is in love with Ananthapadmanabhan, but Padmanabhan Thambi is attracted to her.
Beeram Khan The maternal nephew of a householder related to Kudamon Pillai, he marries Subhadra. He leaves her after believing false rumours about her relationships with other men, particularly Padmanabhan Thambi. He converts to Islam, adopts the name Beeram Khan, and marries Fathima. When he finds Ananthapadmanabhan in the Panchavan forest, he is struck by the prince's resemblance to his first wife and arranges for his care. Beeram Khan kills Sundarayyan, holding him responsible for his separation from Subhadra.
Velu Kurup A skilled fighter, swordsman and lancer, Velu Kurup is loyal to Padmanabhan Thambi. He ambushes Ananthapadmanabhan in the Panchavan forest, and tries to assassinate Marthanda Varma at Charottu Palace, Mangoikkal House, and on the way to the prince's palace. Ananthapadmanabhan cuts off one of his ears, and kills him in the dungeon of Sree Pandarathu House.
Mangoikkal Kurup Mangoikkal Kurup, also known as Iraviperuman Kandan Kumaran Kurup, is head of the Mangoikkal family. He shelters Marthanda Varma and Parameswaran Pillai while they are escaping from Velu Kurup and arranges for reinforcements, deploying his nephews to support Marthanda Varma.
Major characters Ettuveetil Pillamar: Kudaman Pillai – One of the Ettuveetil Pillamar, the nephew of Subhadra's grandmother. He kills Subhadra, and is later killed by Ananthapadmanabhan. Ramanamadathil Pillai – Attracted to Subhadra, he has a wife and son whom he visits only on the day of Thiruvonam. Kazhakkoottathu Pillai / Thevan Vikraman – Intended to propose marriage to Parukutty, the daughter of Ugran Kazhakkoottathu Pillai (his maternal uncle). He leads a force to defeat fighters from Kilimanoor, under the command of Narayanayyan. Chembazhanthi Pillai / Thevan Nandi Marthandan Thirumadathil Pillai Venganoor Pillai – He and his men defeat the forces from Mangoikkal who are supporting Prince Marthanda Varma. Pallichal Pillai Ugran Kazhakkoottathu Pillai – Karthyayani Amma"s late husband, father of Parukutty, and maternal uncle of Thevan Vikraman Kazhakkoottathu Pillai.
Parameswaran PillaiAttendant and close companion of Prince Marthanda Varma. After Marthanda Varma ascends the throne, he becomes the king's manager. Raman ThambiYounger son of King Rama Varma, who commands the Marava forces from Nanjinadu. Thirumukhathu PillaiA minister of the kingdom, and father of Subhadra and Ananthapadmanabhan. Chulliyil Chadachi Marthandan PillaiA skilled archer who serves Thirumukhathu Pillai but aligns himself with the Ettuveettil Pillamar. Kizhakkeveedu: AnanthamMaternal niece of Kalakkutty and wife of Sundarayyan. Kodanki / PalavesamElder brother of Sundarayyan, who is killed by Ananthapadmanabhan. Kaalakutty PillaiMaternal uncle of Anantham and a messenger of Prince Marthanda Varma. Chembakasserry: Karthyayani Amma / Karthyayani PillaiWidow of Ugran Kazhakkoottathu Pillai, mother of Parukutty, and younger sister of Chembakassery Mootha Pillai. Chembakasserry Mootha PillaiElder brother of Karthyayani Amma. Shanku AshanCaretaker of the armoury at Chembakassery, born to the previous armoury caretaker and a female servant at Chembakassery.
Pathan camp: FathimaElder daughter of Hakkim's younger brother and Ayisha and sister of Zulaikha and Nuradeen, who marries Beeram Khan. ZulaikhaYounger daughter of Hakkim's younger brother and Ayisha, and sister of Fathima and Nuradeen. She cares for Ananthapadmanabhan, loving him in the guise of Shamsudeen. NuradeenSon of Hakkim's younger brother and Ayisha, and brother of Fathima and Zulaikha. Azim Ud-Dowla Khan / HakkimA specialist in traditional medicine, he is the paternal uncle of Fathima, Nuradeen, and Zulaikha. His treatments cure Ananthapadmanabhan, and he provides medication for King Rama Varma and Parukutty. Usman KhanThe steward at Hakkim's camp who raised him as a son.
Royal family: Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma – The young prince. He is moved to Chembakassery with his mother for protection. Raja Rama Varma – The ailing king, father of Padmanabhan Thambi and Raman Thambi. Prince Marthanda Varma refers to him as his maternal uncle.
Royal officials: Arumukham Pillai (Dalawa) – The prime minister of the kingdom, who travels to Boothapandi to pay for the forces from Madurai. He is forced to remain there as assurance for the payment. Ramayyan (Rayasakkaran) – A ministerial official who helps the prince during the search for Mangoikkal Kurup. He pacifies the angry civilians who entered the palace grounds by presenting the ailing king to the crowd. Narayanayyan – A royal servant who leads the men sent from Kilimanoor in support of Marthanda Varma.
Supporters of the royal family: Kilimanoor Koithampuran – Killed by the men of Ramanamadathil Pillai while defending against the conspiracy to kill the young prince, Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma. Kerala Varma Koithampuran – Arranges additional forces for Marthanda Varma under the leadership of Narayanayyan, and guards Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma and his mother at Chembakassery. Aruveettukar – A powerful, wealthy family and their supporters who ally with Thirumukhathu Pillai.
Mangoikkal family: Maternal nephews of Mangoikkal Kurup at Mangoikkal House: Kochu Velu – The youngest. Krishna Kurup / Kittan – The eldest. Narayanan Kumaran / Komaran Kochu Kurup / Kochannan / Cheriya Kurup – Sent to Padmanabhapuram, he becomes frantic after his return when encountering men apparently following Velu Kurup.
Two nephews are instructed by Mangoikkal Kurup to make arrangements for the stay of Marthanda Varma and Parameswaran Pillai. All resist Velu Kurup and the attackers at Mangoikkal, going to Thiruvananthapuram to lead the forces from Mangoikkal in support of Marthanda Varma. Kochakkachi, the maternal niece of Mangoikkal Kurup, instructs Kochu Velu to arrange for the morning ablutions of Marthanda Varma and Parameswaran Pillai at Mangoikkal House.
Other characters
Channars: Channars of Palm-plant – Channars at the palm-tree plantation, where Prince Marthanda Varma enquires about nearby Nair households while escaping from Charottu Palace. Group of 50 – Killed by Thambi's men in accordance with his order to capture the mad Channan. Channars who assemble after the 50-person slaughter. Mad Channan persuades them to help him defend Mangoikkal House. Ozhukkan Koppilan Podiyan Nandan Rakithan Suppiramaniyan Ponnan Poothathan
Paramours of Padmanabhan Thambi: Sivakami Kamalam
Helpers of Padmanabhan Thambi: Lancers of Velu Kurup – A group of 14 lancers led by Velu Kurup to the Charottu palace. Two are killed by arrows shot by Chulliyil Chadachi Marthandan Pillai. Kutti Pillai Pappanachar Chatayan Pillai Ooli Nair Parappan Nair Lancers and Nairs – Group of 200 lancers and Nairs led by Velu Kurup in search of Marthanda Varma, who attacks Mangoikkal house. This group includes the surviving 12 lancers of Velu Kurup. A group of 150 men is deployed near Mangoikkal house by Velu Kurup and led to Mangoikkal. A group of 20 men is led along the main path to Mangoikkal.
A group of 150 lancers and Nairs sent by Padmanabhan Thambi aids Velu Kurup in the attack on Mangoikkal. One of the lancers returns to tell Padmanabhan Thambi about the defeat at Mangoikkal. A group of 500 fighters, including Marava people from Nanjinadu, is led by Raman Thambi.
Mudaliyar lords in Nanjinadu who side with Padmanabhan Thambi: Cherakonar Mailavanar Vanikaraman
Character relations
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Matrilineal family
Patrilineal family
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Family of Collateral descent
Character gets killed during the time-line of novel, Marthandavarma
Active character during the timeline of novel, Marthandavarma
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Allusions to legendary and historical figures
Marthanda Varma