Chandu Chekaver

Chandu Chekaver, also known as Chathiyan Chanthu, is a warrior mentioned in the folk songs of Northern Kerala called Vadakkan Pattukal, who supposedly lived in the 16th century in North Malabar, in South India.
According to the ballads, Chandu was a Chekaver (warrior), like his cousins Aromal Chekavar and Unniyarcha. Chandu Chekaver secretly hates Aromal's family because his love for Unniyarcha was spurned. This leads to him taking part as Aromal's helper in a duel ("Ankam") with Aringodar Chekaver. Seeing that Aromal won, Chandu takes matters into his own hands and unexpectedly stabs his cousin to death. Henceforth, the word Chathiyan, meaning "Betrayer", is added to his name to indicate his infamy. Unniyarcha, herself a warrior and Aromal's sister, vows revenge for her brother's life. Revenge is finally achieved when her son Aromalunni Chekaver challenges Chandu to a duel and kills him.

Popular culture

Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, the Malayalam movie released in 1989, shows a different angle of Chandu portrayed by Mammootty

• Kunal Kapoor portrayed Chandu in 2016 Malayalam film Veeram