In the heart of the middle region of Kerala, amid the lush tapestry of tradition and legends, unfolds the story of the Pathaikara Namboothiris, a story of two brothers, one younger and the other elder, both possessing remarkable strength and prowess.
These formidable siblings, residing in Pathaikara, had an insatiable appetite, devouring a staggering 12 nazhi (a unit of weight, approximately 2.5 kg) of rice each day. The elder brother's wife, too, had her share, starting her morning with three nazhi of rice. In their humble abode, they conjured up a daily feast of 27 nazhi of rice, reserving a meager three nazhi for the lady of the house, which she dutifully divided between the brothers.
Their culinary delights were unlike the usual fare; they eschewed the likes of buttermilk or other curries, instead opting for coconut milk. On their left side, they kept 12 unbroken coconuts. The Namboothiris would come, gently take a coconut each with their left hand, and deftly extract coconut milk. It was this milky elixir that adorned their rice, creating a delectable meal. As the rice vanished, so did the coconuts. This was their customary ritual, squeezing the unbroken coconuts.
One fateful day, as they prepared for their customary meal, a relative burst in, beckoning them to his birthday celebration. However, at that very moment, their daily repast was ready at home. The elder brother's wife, without second thoughts, devoured the entire cooked rice, fearing it would spoil. The Namboothiris anticipated a cold rice dinner that night, but to their astonishment, the steaming rice was served again. When asked about the morning's rice, the wife nonchalantly admitted to consuming it, apprehensive that it might turn sour. The elder Namboothiri, taken aback, declared that henceforth, they would prepare an additional 12 nazhi of rice.