Paanchalankurichi

The TN Government has propagated the memory of Kattabomman by erecting (in 1974) a memorial fort in his honour in Paanchalankurichi. Sri Devi Jakkammal Temple, the hereditary Goddess of Kattabomman, is located near the fort. 

Inside the fort, a statue of veerapaNdiya kattabomman has been installed. 

There are seven arches installed on the road leading from Kurukkusalai to the Fort via Ottapidaram in honour of the prominent chieftains of Kattabomman and there is also an arch in honour of the traditional Goddess Jakkamma.

To observe the bicentenary on 16th October 1999 of Kattabomman’s hanging, the Central Government brought out a postal stamp in his honour. 

The bus winds its way along the curve and comes to a screeching halt. The tourists emerge out, looking with curiosity at the remnants of the original Panchalankurichi fort, now protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. The cemetery of the British soldiers abuts the remains. Yonder is the Memorial Fort constructed by the TN Government. 

A horde of self-appointed guides jostles to seek the attention of the tourists. Towering over the rest is a lanky, old-timer, sporting an impressive mustache not unlike the one that must have adorned Kattabomman’s face. You are drawn by his quiet dignity and majestic, resonant voice as he embarks on the saga of the valour that was enacted at that spot two hundred years ago. As the raconteur relates the tale of bravery and betrayal, you realize you are treading on sacred land.

His riveting tale comes to a close. And as the tourists move on after parting with paltry sums, his face breaks into a wry grimace. Seeing you slightly sympathetic, he parts with the startling information: he traces his lineage to Kattabomman’s family! His name is Vee. Veemaraja alias Jegaveera Pandiya Subbramania Kattabommu Durai and he is 65 years old. He says that including himself, there are seven living direct descendents of the Kattabomman family. 

The Government pays each of them a monthly pension of Rs. 500, he reveals. And sometimes, during Independence Day or Republic Day celebrations at the Thoothukkudi Collectorate, they are honoured with a shawl and a memento apiece. To make both ends meet, he does what he knows best- narrating the history of his brave ancestor, and showing tourists around Panchalankurichi.

“ But that is barely sufficient to feed my family”, he says in a voice that seems suddenly subdued, as though it has come back abruptly from the glories of the past to the harshness of the present. “I named my eldest daughter Jakkadevi after our family deity. She is now in her 30s, and I have not been able to get her married for want of money…” His eyes are moist as he looks towards the idol of the Goddess inside the ancient temple.

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