Kadamattathu Kathanar
Kadamattom is a famous Malankara Orthodox Syrian church situated in Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala. It was established by Mar Sabor, a 9th-century saint. If legends are to be believed, Mar Sabor offered patronage to a homeless boy by the name Paulose after he was orphaned by the death of both his parents. Since Paulose was pious, intuitive, and more importantly efficient, Mar Sabor decided to take Paulose under his wings.
In the year 2004, Asianet channel introduced a TV series with a supernatural theme. The series was titled Kadamattathu Kathanar (Priest of Kadamattom). I was 12 years old when this series came out, and I remember being super stoked about the soundtrack of the series that was played at the beginning and end. The series begins with a family roping in a priest for an exorcism.
Not just any priest, but the priest of Kadamattom.
When Mar Sabor decided to become Paulose’s guardian, little did he know that the young boy would grow up to be a priest, who is not only religious but also someone who mastered sorcery. Paulose was no longer known by his name, as everyone fondly started calling him Kadamattathu Kathanar (Priest of Kadamattom).
The series used to be screened late at night, and since magic was involved, I used to watch it regularly. The series used to open with the soundtrack, and the dynamism in the song was sufficient to raise my spirits. Well, I would say job well done considering this priest was all about ‘raising spirits’.
Fear has been a topic of interest in my life for the last few years, and if there is one trait I admire in people, it is courage. A person’s ability to tolerate uncertainty and march forward courageously during fear inflicted times is commendable. I know it ain’t right to compare real-life with reel life, but the courage that was exhibited by Kadamattathu Kathanar every time he was met with a situation put me on an expressway to fandom. From what I can remember, every time a ghost decided to get in his way, he would continue to maintain unwavering calmness with zero display of fear in his eyes.
His wooden walking stick was the magic wand and every time he performed sorcery, the stick was raised to his eye level, and it was usually followed by some sort of light emanating from the cross affixed near the handle. The ease with which he was able to find a solution in pretty much every situation was nothing short of magic.
I believe it is the same magic that brought back my memories.
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