A well-known sorcerer based in Thrissur, Udayan Namboodiri (name changed) has a story to tell about a venal politician. “It’s okay even if I am defeated in the polls. But my enemy shouldn’t get even 10 votes!” was the request of a senior Tamil Nadu leader.
Namboodiri listened carefully with closed eyes. A couple of minutes later, he aquised: “As you wish… We will start with the Sudarsna Homam…12,000 chants with some special pujas to follow later.”
With Assembly elections nearing in many states of the country, the sorcerers in Kerala are busy. Desperate politicians were leaving nothing to chance — pujas, homams, black magic — not only to win at the hustings, but also to decimate their political rivals.
“Puja offerings vary according to each client’s needs,” says Namboodiri. “Odiyan Seva and Kuttichathan Seva are the common rituals,” says a sorcerer from the notorious Madom family. The purpose of these magical acts is to cause damage to the personal enemies. Basic bio-details of the victim — the time of birth time, star sign etc — are prerequisites.
A close aide of the famous Kallur Mana family based in Thrissur district says, “In this era of disloyalty and betrayal, politicians don’t trust even their own shadow. They have lost faith in public since they know the public has lost faith in politicians. They believe their only solution is astrology, pujas and black magic.”
Anil, head of the famous pujari family, Kattumadam Mana says that the demand for pujas by politicians has risen sharply. “While many desire their own good, a few want the blood of their enemies even at the cost of their own life,” says Anil ruefully.
“It’s all about belief. We believe if someone dedicates himself to the gods, he will receive blessings.”
According to the magicians, Express spoke to, its not only politicians who approach them for help. A high-profile client from Tamil Nadu had approached a mana 15 years ago. He demanded help on behalf of the government to nab Veerappan. “Some politicians and policemen believed Veerappan had the blessings of Lord Hanuman,” he said. But Lord Hanuman let the dacoit down eventually.
— With inputs from Kalathil Ramakrishnan (Kasargod), T P Nijeesh
(Malappuram) and P V Shyam (Thrissur)