Narayan’s Kocharethi (The Araya Woman): The History, Preserving Myths, Rituals, Social Customs, Belief and Traditions of the Malay Arayan Tribal Community in Kerala in the Twentieth Century

Abstract: This paper is highlights the History, Preserving Myths, Rituals, Social Customs, Belief and Traditions of the Malay Arayan Tribal Community in Kerala in the twentieth Century in Narayan’s Kocharethi. Kochuraman is a protagonist and he is a tribe. A key theme of cultural change begins when Kunjipennu refuses to marry her maternal uncle's son and instead weds Kochuraman, it follows the destruction of their house and the death of their son in a forest fire, and they are pushed into dire poverty. A cycle of drought and torrential rain pushes the entire Mala Arayan community into debt and alcoholism to which Kochuraman too falls prey. The poverty of the community is ruthlessly exploited by moneylenders, landlords, businessmen, and the government police and gradually this unholy nexus of the upper classes and upper castes results in the alienation of the Arayans’ lands, and those resisting are beaten into submission. Kunjipennu and Kochuraman meanwhile have a daughter Parvati and the establishment of a school in the village marks the beginning of another social transformation in the community. Parvati later gets through college and finds a job in Kochi where she marries against her parents’ wishes and slowly begins to distance herself from the community. Kochuraman’s alcoholism finally results in his taking ill and is forced to seek treatment in Kochi where Kunjipennu accompanies him. His hospitalization is supported by Parvati’s husband and friends but when Kochuraman and Kunjipennu are told that he will require surgery, he escaped from the hospital.