Manaveda, the Zamorin Raja of Calicut in northern Kerala is renowned as author of Krishnanattam.It is a dancedrama and presents the story of Krishna in a series of eight plays. The second Manaveda Asvati Tirunal Manaveda is the one who destroyed the power of the Portuguese with the help of Dutch. He reinstated the Mutta Tavali Prince on the throne of Cochin. As he was a patron of letters, Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri was quite probably a friend of him..
Early life
He was born to the royal family of the Zamorin Rajas of Calicut in 1585. Though much is not non about parents and childhood, it is said he had education from Anayath Krishna pisharody and Desamangalath varrier. He grew up into a poetic genius and a farsighted ruler.
Contributions
Only two of his books are available now - Krishnanattam and Purva bharatha chambu, both written in Sanskrit. The later was completed in A.D 1643, 10 years before Krishnanattam. His other books are believed to be destroyed in the fire which gutted Zamorin palace when Hyderali of Mysore attacked in 1766.
The eight plays are: Avataram, Kaliyamardanam, Rasakrida, Kamsavadham, Swayamvaram, Banayuddham, Vividavadham and Swargarohanam. its easily memorised by a mnemonic "a-ka-ra-ka-swa-bha-vi-swa". On the ninth day, Avatharam is repeated. The various benefits of Krishnanattam as an offering are:
King Manaveda told Vilwamangalam about his ambition to view Krishna. The next day the Swamiyar told him that Guruvayurappan has given his consent and Manavedan can see Guruvayurappan playing in the early hours of the morning at the platform of the Elanji tree. He could only see and not touch Him. When as per this agreement, Manavedan saw Guruvayurappan in the form of little childSri Krishna, he was so excited that he forgot himself and, rushed to embrace little Sree Krishna.Guruvayoorappan immediately disappeared saying, "Vilwamangalam did not tell me that this will happen ".However, Manavedan got one peacock feather from the head gear of Bhagavan Krishna. The peacockfeather was incorporated in the headgear for the character of Sri Krishna in the dance drama Krishnanattam based on his own text krishnageethi which is composed of 8 chapters. It was performed near the sanctum sanctorum of the Guruvayur Temple. On the ninth day, Avatharam was repeated as the Zamorin felt that it was not auspicious to end the series with the demise of Lord Krishna. The blessed art form is still maintained by Guruvayur devaswom and staged as an offering by devotees.
Late life
After advent of Krishnanattam at age of 68 he was till his demise involved in improvising the dancedrama. He died at Thrissur in 1658 and was cremated at Guruvayur south of Guruvayurappan temple. A statue was built at this place, which at present is located near panjajanyam guest house in guruvayur.
