A comic retelling of our community's origin legend.
Note: the old chronicle records this Illam as Palingu — in modern times it is widely known as Palli.
1She is the one!
Lord Shiva wished to find a bride for his son Veerabhadrar. His messengers flew to the land of Eezham and found Princess Kayalmani Devi.
2One day, a new clan will rise from you.
After their son Sivarudrar was born, Veerabhadrar left to become an ascetic. Kayalmani raised the boy in Appanur near Kanchipuram, weaving flower garlands with old Sivakami.
3Stay behind me!
Sivarudrar grew into a fearless warrior. When three maidens of Nalli were carried off, he fought and brought them home — and all three chose to marry him.
4Each child shall follow the line of their mother.
Crowned king of Siruvai, Sivarudrar also married Mathi of a farming family. He named a house for each wife: Moottu, Manjanattu, Palingu and Sholiya.
5
At a swayamvaram in Eezham, Princess Mithirasenai garlanded Sivarudrar in a hall decked with flower torans. Her house became Thoranathu Illam — the fifth.
6Different Illams, one family!
Sivarudrar wed his children across the houses — never within the same Illam. So the five-Illam community began, and its mother-line marriage tradition lives on.
1She is the one!
2One day, a new clan will rise from you.
3Stay behind me!
4Each child shall follow the line of their mother.
5
6Different Illams, one family!