The Tale of Muttas Namboothiri: The Artful Trickster

In the annals of legend, a Namboothiri (A high-caste Malayali Brahmin from Kerala, traditionally priests, Vedic scholars, and temple custodians) was celebrated for his extraordinary eloquence and cunning wit. Indian mythology attributes such gifts to the blessings of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of learning. Yet, behind this renowned Muttas Namboothiri lay a tale veiled in mystery, explaining the origins of his unparalleled reputation.

In the days of his youth, during a 41-day bhajan (a devotional song or hymn) at Mookambika, where Goddess Saraswati herself was revered, Muttas Namboothiri's life took a fateful turn. At that time, a sacred offering known as Trimadhur Prasad graced the divine sanctum. This Prasad, consisting of jaggery, kadhalippazham (a type of banana native to Kerala), and honey, was believed to bestow extraordinary intelligence upon those who partook in its consumption. This Trimadhuram, presented during the evening pooja, was regarded as divine nourishment for the gods themselves. Regrettably, it was never meant for mere mortals, destined to be discarded in a deep well after the night's rituals.

Muttasu Namboothiri, however, had a different plan. After several days of observing the customs, he resolved to acquire this prized offering by any means necessary. The opportunity presented itself when Shantikaran, the custodian of this divine offering, momentarily left to fetch water. In his absence, Muttas Namboothiri clandestinely slipped inside the sanctum and ingested a portion of the Trimadhuram.

Title

The Tale of Muttas Namboothiri: The Artful Trickster

Themes

hubris | pride vs humility

Emotions

desire | bemusement

Lesson

Wit can outsmart wealth.

Characters

Muttas Namboothiri: Main protagonist and cunning trickster, Shantikaran: Temple priest, Varrier: Wealthy temple attendee

Special Objects

Trimadhur Prasad

Back-grounds

Temple, Riverbank