Chekottu Ashan

Mahakavi Chekottu Ashaan

Chekottu Ashaan (1772 - 1856), also known as Chekottu Kuruvilla Assan and as Kochoonju Asan was the forerunner of homestead christian charismatics, as a Christian Poet and Composer his works were dignified in the era and widely used in christian households and in ecclesial worship. He was a co-worker of Abraham Malpan, Syrian Christian Reformist and teacher to Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan.

Early life

Chekottu Kuruvilla Ashaan was born in Chekottu Kochukallil in Elanthoor in A.D.1772. His father Chekottu Kuruvilla Idiculla (Perumal Idiculla) and mother Kaipettoor Pallikkal Rachelamma were god fearing Christians. Ashaan had an elder brother (Geevarghese) and three younger brothers (Koshy, Idiculla and Mathen). Through Gurukulam Vidyabyasam he learnt Malayalam, Tamil and Sanskrit. In addition to this he learned music, literature, mathematics, and kalaripayattu.

Chekottu Ashaan married Mariamma from a traditional Christian family in Tiruvalla. They had two sons, Idiculla and Mathai, they faithfully followed the footsteps of their parents in the Lord’s service as priests.

As a Teacher/Ashaan in Old seminary - Kottayam

For many years Ashaan was a Malayalam teacher in Old seminary, Kottayam, which was established in 1813 for theological education. The famous CMS missionaries, Bailey, Fenn and Baker, were teachers at the Seminary for English, Greek and Hebrew and Abraham Malpan and Konatt Malpan taught Syriac.

Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan, Mar Thoma XIII did his primary education under Chekottu Ashaan, who taught him Malayalam, Tamil, and Sanskrit. They kept up their student - teacher relationship till the end of their lives.

Meeting with Sri Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma Maharaja

Sri Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma was ruler of Travancore from 1829 until his death in 1846. Thiruvanathapuram was known as a centre of great intellectual and artistic activity in those days. Besides being an able ruler, he was a patron of music and a musician himself. He encouraged both broad systems of Indian music, Hindustani and Carnatic music, though he was essentially a connoisseur of the carnatic music tradition. The king was fluent in a number of Indian languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Bengali, Tamil and Oriya. Chekottu Ashaan during his Seminary teaching days met with Maharaja Swathi Thirunal through Travancore Royal Service. The King was very pleased and impressed with the poems written by Ashaan and presented Aashan with valuable gifts including a Pure Silk (Pattu), a Silver knife, and a Ponnu narayam (Golden Stylus) in an ivory casket and further honored him with the title of Village Administrator/Parvathyar by royal decree.

Literary Work

Before Chekottu Ashaan , there was very little Christian poetry in Malayalam. There were a few folk songs/ballads like Maargam Kali and Ramban Paattu and Palli Paattu. But they were not for the common people to use in daily life. It was through initiation movement of poets like Chekottu Ashaan that Syrian Christians got Hymns for Worship and Prayer. Being one of the first Syrian Christian poets who dealt with the Bible themes and stories, by understanding the importance of concepts like “love”, “tenderness” and “mercy” he imparted them as the heart of the theological framework in his songs. His good command over languages and deep knowledge of the Bible and Christian subjects enabled him to write Poems and other literary work based on Biblical stories, which was also the beginning of homestead christian charismatics through poems.

Some of his known titles are:-^[1]

Israel Ulbhavam (Beginning of Israel): This is a Thullal song based on the story of Jacob.
Albhutha Malika: This is a collection of poems based on Jesus’ miracles.
Chekottu Ashaan Sthuthippukal: Collection of hymns of praise and extols sung during morning and evening family prayers.
Other Literary work: Many of his literary works haven’t been published and are in private collections, therefore forgotten. Extended family members who had the original manuscripts lost it in Mavelikkara.

Two of his hymns are published in the Mar Thoma Church Hymn Book, Kristheeya Keerththanangal, Nos. 7(393)^[2] and 15(394),^[3] by the recommendation of Juhanon Mar Thoma; Mar Thoma XVIII was a great admirer of Chekottu Ashaan Sthuthippukal he recited hymns from “Sthuthippukal” in Maramon Conventions and many a time he would explain to the church members the spiritual & theological meaning of the Sthuthippukal (hymns) of Chekottu Ashaan while delivering messages. It was his earnest desire that all Mar Thoma members would use Chekottu Ashaan ’s Hymns for family prayer, these hymns become very popular then in Mar Thoma Church. It is sad to note that more of Ashaan's hymns weren't included and hence many of them didn't survive and lost it's proper place from worship services.

As a Kalari Aashan/Martial Arts Instructor

Later in his life understanding the necessity to work in the society from a ground level, for reformation of the society as whole. Ashaan as a trained Kalaripayattu Artist, started kalari schools in his own village with this reformation intent, apart from being Village Officer. Students came to train with him from neighboring villages and surroundings. He educated his students informally in literature and mathematics through poems which can be memorized easily and trained them well in kalaripayattu. This ad-hoc diversified pro-strengthening education led people to respect and honor him as Ezhuth-ashaan to Kalari-ashaan and a good Administrator of Public Affairs.

Final Days

Ashaan was busy with Church Reformation Movement and Kalari schools till the end of his life. He donated his plot for Kumaranalloor palli (now known as Elanthoor Valiyapally). In 1856, at the ripe old age of 84, he passed away to be with the Lord. His demise was a great loss for the Christian community. A huge crowd, comprising his relatives, friends and students, attended the funeral and paid their respect. He was buried at Elanthoor Valiyapalli Cemetery.