A couple of centuries elapsed, yet memory of him pulsates still. The ears of the caparisoned elephants and the music of drums and cymbals are rhythmically synchronized. Men and women stand in reverence before the mausoleum of their valiant warrior; religious differences dissolve in the festive air. They commemorate the martyrdom magnificently. The root of his eternal life is in honesty and justice. He fought undaunted in the trap of treachery. Each move was jingoistic under the searing sun. A spectacular display of martial art; Tipu’s soldiers were scattered into a debacle. Drunk with the victory, the combatant of the coast was washing wounds in a pond. Then a perfidious arrow pierced his pride and pleasure. As he fell down, his foe from the thicket pounced upon him. There was a sparkle of valor even on his beheaded visage. Who could stop *Hydrous galloping along the heart of his land and lady? *Hydrous Kutty Moopar was a brave warrior from the Chavakkadan Coast, Kerala, who fought for truth and justice. Unfortunately, he was treacherously killed by the soldiers of Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan. The memory of his martyrdom (Manathala Nercha) is celebrated splendidly every year. First published in The Literary Hatchet