Renakeerthy Chekavar

After defeating Ettuveettilpillamars Great Marthandavarma of Travancore(AD.1729-1758) did not believe in Nair soldiers.He recruited brave Ezhava(Thiyya) soldiers from Kazhakuttam, Kulathoore and Chempazhanthy.Renakeerthy Chekavar was the army commander of Great Marthandavarma.

Renakeerthy Chekavar was a Thiyya(Ezhava) Kalarippayyattu expert from Thalassery. Formerly he was in Zamorins army of Malabar. Pappan Chekavar(Kottaram Vydiyan and Kalarippayattu expert) brought him secretly from Thalassery.It was believed that both of them reached Travancore by sea.Renakeerthy Chekavar's real name was Raghava Chekavar.Great Marthandavarma honoured and named him Renakeerthy Chekavar after capturing Kayamkulam Kingdom. Great Marthandavarma died at the age of 52.It was believed that Renkeerthy Chekavar went back to Thalassery after the death of Great Marthandavarma.This informations about Renakeerthy Chekavar was heard from my ancestors who were the descendants of Pappan Chekavar(Kottaram Vydian and Kalarippayyattu expert).