Manoj Kumar Kandamangalam was just 16 when he took over the work of an oracle (velichappadu) from his father. Since then he has been travelling to various temples and households performing the vettakkorumakan pattu, a religious exercise, and its larger version pantheerayiram which are believed to be conducted for pleasing Vettakkoru Makan, the son of Lord Shiva. Having mastered the ritual, Manoj is now capable of conducting pantheerayiram within two and a half hours, which would normally take at least 3 hours or more for an expert. The Limca Book of Records has accepted his nomination for his shortest time of 2 hours and 13 minutes for breaking 12,000 coconuts in a pantheerayiram held at Kottakkal in Malappuram four years back.
“My family is one among a few brahmin families which have the right to practice as an oracle. I got into practicing this as my elder brother who was nextin- line to inherit the right from my father died unexpectedly. Initially it took more than four hours to complete a pantheerayiram. But gradually I acquired speed and now I can finish within two and a half hours,” said Manoj. Pantheerayiram is a ritual to commemorate the act of 12,000 soldiers of Vettakkorumakan who poured tender coconut water over their master’s head to cool his rage, soon after their triumph over the demons. His expertise in conducting Pantheerayiram has been recognised by various temple authorities and even the Zamorin.
The Kozhikode Zamorin had presented him with the ‘Pattum Valayum’ pleased by his devoted performance. “One can break the coconuts giving intervals during the ritual. But I never feel like taking intervals once I begin the process. I would take intervals when I had just started practicing pantheerayiram. Once I got immersed into the art of it, it became effortless and enjoyable. Other than a religious practice, there is an element of art in conducting pantheerayiram. I try to master this aspect,” said Manoj. Since becoming an oracle was unplanned for Manoj, he believes that there is no point in planning ahead one’s career and future. “I am not particular about the career of my sons. If they come to practice pantheerayiram on their own for the love of it, I won’t say no to them,” he said.
His latest pantheerayiram performance was held at Olavanna Vettakkorumakan temple on April 21. Manoj Kandamangalam stays at Chathamngalam with his wife Soumya and sons Njaneswara