Photography
URBAN MYTHS
A series of Para-fictional oral stories or Myths centred on local Historical characters and events in the history of Kochi. Urban Myth is an ongoing project. The spectres and faint whispers of the dark past float off the walls in several parts of Kochi as the artist captures their traces and appearances. With time and memory, a whole culture has evolved around these stories.
KAAPIRI MUTHAPPAN
The legend goes that the Dutch pushed the Portuguese out of parts of Kerala in the 17 century; the Portuguese, who had treasures, made niches in their thick walls, placed treasures tied up enslaved Africans and made them promise that the prizes would be kept safe till their descendants came to claim them. With time, The enslaved people were called Kaapiri Muthappan; people have seen him at night. He smokes a cigar, sits on the wall wearing a Portuguese vest and whistles. Local beliefs took over, and the wall niches began to be worshipped. The small shrine bears no religious markings, idols, or symbols. People visit this shrine daily to light candles and offer flowers, cigars, tender coconuts, and even toddy to the ‘deity’ unique to Kochi.
NAAMIYA MOOTHA
Namiya Mootha was a Rabbi while he lived. There was a strong belief that the Mootha had powers and that the tomb should not be disturbed. Chakkamadam ( burial ground) was one of Mattancherry's largest Malabari Jewish burial grounds. When the Cochin corporation handed over the land to the people of Kochi, the tombs were taken down. The highly decorated tomb was to be taken down, but there occurred a huge fire people believed that it was the doing of Namiya Mootha’s spirit. There evolved a devotion to the spirit without any religion; people still light candles and pray to Mootha.
KUNJI MARAKKAR
The tomb or ‘jaram’ of Kunji Marakkar in Mattancherry an urban legend. The old tomb, protected by twisted branches, roots and trunk of a humongous banyan tree, is covered with a green satin cloth. Hailing from Ponnani, Marakkars are local heroes who displayed exemplary leadership and strategic thinking. A hidden enemy from amongst them massacred Kunji Marakkar brutally, chopping his body into seven parts. The rough sea took the seven body parts to seven different places, where the tomb of Kunji Marakkar came up. It is believed that Kunji Marakkar chopped arm lies buried here. People come and pray for the fulfilment of their wishes.
