WORLD OF

PRATIDWANDI

WELCOME TO REALITY THETA

1852 A.D. A nation under peril. A band of rebels challenging a Global Empire. India’s first Martial Arts series.

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Discover the World of Pratidwandi below

teasers

  • Mohini

    No More
  • Ezhufzi

    A boy’s destiny.

Locations

1850s Kerala, India

Kerala in the 1850s
(Reality Theta)

“The events in Book One: The Kalari take place in the 1850s, in the southern part of the Indian subcontinent covering the region of present-day Kerala (as it existed in the fictional alternative reality – Reality Theta).”

the Prassahar a hidden sanctuary of Kalarippayattu

“Their descendants are still alive, hiding in the forest for half a century. Only a handful know they exist. They are still following the old ways of Kalarippayattu. They should be able to help us.”

Takran Vadu Nairavandu (Chapter Two)

The Prassahar

Built over a course of fifty years, in a natural canyon occurring behind the Yarudam Falls, the Prassahar was a hidden sanctuary of Kalarippayattu, dedicated to Lord Parashuram, the father of Indian Martial Arts. Larger than a small town, with a flourishing economy, a self-sustaining health and education system, and full of technological marvels, it was way ahead of many large kingdoms across the subcontinent.

Hakkan’s Tribal Camp- Northern part of the Kingdom of Travancore

"Father,
I can’t see this anymore. I have tried my best, but this is not the sanctuary it once used to be. I can’t be a part of the slaughter and the torture and the rape, the very things you once escaped."

Kalyani’s Letter (Chapter Five)

Hakkan’s camp

Hakkan’s tribal camp was located in a large clearing in the forest in the northern part of the Kingdom of Travancore. It was started years ago as a refuge for people who were shunned from the society and needed a home. However, over the years, it grew into a den for all kinds of underground activities. From a community of tribals, they became tribal dacoits. Rape, theft, smuggling and dacoity abound, things were no longer the same as the old days.

Characters

  • "Kalarippayattu is not just a form of fighting. It is a way of life. And every year, we celebrate this way of life by having this tournament"

    Balaram

    Balaram was the master of the Trivandrum Kalari. Known as the ‘Lion of the South’ among Indians and ‘The Bare-Handed Killing Machine’ among the British, Balaram went by many names in the professional fighting circles. In Book One, he trains Sai at his Kalari and hosts one of the biggest tournaments of Kalarippayattu, the Agastya Trophy.

  • “Do you know what I did to the people who shielded you from me? To your uncle, to your neighbour? To that boy who you call your spy?”

    Skarat

    A series of tragedy forced the boy from a good family to flee his home and become a tribal dacoit. After years of plunder, Skarat ended up at Hakkan’s tribal camp and rose through the ranks to become his deputy. In Book One, he leaves the camp and joins hands with the British, becoming their top assassin, entrusted with the task of capturing Sai.

  • “This is no time for tears, Aruna. I will make them pay for this.”

    Sai

    Despite being the scion of the great Vadu clan, Sai Vadu Kechary was a simple boy who had recently graduated to adulthood. Deep inside, he was still a boy, a boy who had just lost his father and was entrusted with the insurmountable task of fulfilling his father’s lifelong dream of defeating the British. In Book One, he flees his native village and joins Balaram at his Kalari to train further in the art of Kalarippayattu.

  • Mohini - Pratidwandi

    "I know who you are, and I know you've been looking for me and I know what you seek. Please leave. "

    Mohini

    Mohini was a master of her trade, a gorgeous performer, and sometimes, a lady of the evening. However, her alter ego was Lady X, one of the greatest spies in the Kingdom. Most people who hadn’t met her or seen her, believed her to be a myth, believed that she didn’t exist. What more of an honour could a master of espionage demand? In Book One, Mohini is running a secret tavern in the heart of the city of Trivandrum.

  • "Sal Vadu Kechary, inside the pit, I'm nothing but your opponent. Tomorrow you may face those closest to you in battle. You can't shy away from fighting them. That's the one true dharma of a Kshatriya.

    Kalyani

    Escaping the horrors of her father’s camp, the lost girl ended up in the city of Trivandrum and made Balaram’s Kalari her home. Five years later, Kalyani was one of the fiercest warriors of the Kalari, and was skilled to face the mightiest of opponents and fight the toughest of battles. In Book One, she is living at the Trivandrum Kalari, where she meets Sai and begins a romantic relationship with him.

  • Master Ezhufzi - Pratidwandi

    "Never did I think in the wildest of imaginations, never did I see in the worst of nightmares, this day, today. Dark times are upon us."

    Master Ezhufzi

    Master Ezhufzi was the oldest and one of the greatest masters of Kalarippayattu across the subcontinent. He was the only one alive who had mastered all the four stages of Kalarippayattu and was well versed with the art of the Marmas: a collection of the deadliest fighting techniques in the subcontinent. In Book One, he runs a hidden sanctuary dedicated to Kalarippayattu, called the Prassahar.

  • "Son, things are going to much bigger than you have imagined. Trust me. You will have your revenge. But, at the right place and at the right time. Now is not the time."

    TakranVadu Nairavandu

    Vadu’s brother, Takran, was a terrific fighter, just like his brother. But deep inside, he was a calm man who planned his every move and would think thrice before picking up a sword. And in his own way, he was trying to fulfil his brother’s dream, starting a rebellion against the British. In Book One, Takran sets out on the task of building an army, and ends up at the Prassahar, seeking support of Master Ezhufzi.

Featured Scenes

  • The Heist - Chapter One

    “The Heist (Chapter One)”

    The British are unaware that a mysterious group of Kalarippayattu warriors is waiting in the forest, ready to rob them in the dark of the night...Read More

    But the heisters are in for a surprise for something else lurks inside those British wagons.

  • The Ambush - Chapter Two

    “The Ambush (Chapter Two)”

    A mysterious band of gorilla warriors, highly trained in the art of Kalarippayattu, have managed to lure a platoon of British soldiers into a clearing in the forest...Read More

    What happens next is nothing short of a massacre.

  • The Raid - Chapter Three

    “The Raid (Chapter Three)”

    Balaram is standing amidst his most fearless warriors, laying out the plans for the first direct attack against the British which involves taking down a colonial prison...Read More

    Disguising it simply as an attempt to free their fellowmen, the master has other plans. He wants to send a message.

  • The Race - Chapter Six

    “The Race (Chapter Six)”

    THE VICTORY IS OURS. THE FUTURE IS OURS. WE ARE THE WARRIORS. The most dangerous Vallam Kali (the famous snake boat race of Kerala) is underway...Read More

    Fighters from Bali’s Kalari have summoned their full strength to race ahead and win, amidst a raging storm. But fate has other plans.

  • Agastya Trophy - Chapter Eight

    “Agastya Trophy (Chapter Eight)”

    The Agastya Trophy, a grand tournament involving the best of Kalarippayattu warriors from all over Kerala, is underway...Read More

    Sai Vadu Kechary, the underdog, is standing inside the pit as a fearsome opponent is headed his way with full force. What will the young Sai do?

  • Battle Of Trivandrum - Chapter Nine

    “Battle of Trivandrum (Chapter Nine)”

    The British have found the location of the secret Kalari. With the full force of three platoons, they have unleashed their wrath on the entire Kalarippayattu fraternity which had gathered for the tournament...Read More

    A mega battle erupts on multiple fronts. Ray and Kurian run frantically through the streets of Trivandrum, desperately trying to save their lives, as a gigantic artillery machine chases them, destroying everything on its way.

  • Fall Of The Prassahar - Chapter Eleven

    “Fall of the Prassahar(Chapter Eleven)”

    Our heroes have finally fallen to the wrath of an empire foreign. The Prassahar, the last remaining sanctuary of Kalarippayattu, is burning...Read More

    Those who survived have nothing else to do but to lament and to find a new safe haven. Will our heroes return to their erstwhile glory?

  • The Ambush - Chapter Two

    “The Ambush (Chapter Two)”

    A mysterious band of gorilla warriors, highly trained in the art of Kalarippayattu, have managed to lure a platoon of British soldiers into a clearing in the forest...Read More

    What happens next is nothing short of a massacre.

  • Agastya Trophy - Chapter Eight

    “Agastya Trophy (Chapter Eight)”

    The Agastya Trophy, a grand tournament involving the best of Kalarippayattu warriors from all over Kerala, is underway...Read More

    Sai Vadu Kechary, the underdog, is standing inside the pit as a fearsome opponent is headed his way with full force. What will the young Sai do?

  • The Heist - Chapter One

    “The Heist (Chapter One)”

    The British are unaware that a mysterious group of Kalarippayattu warriors is waiting in the forest, ready to rob them in the dark of the night...Read More

    But the heisters are in for a surprise for something else lurks inside those British wagons.

  • The Race - Chapter Six

    “The Race (Chapter Six)”

    THE VICTORY IS OURS. THE FUTURE IS OURS. WE ARE THE WARRIORS. The most dangerous Vallam Kali (the famous snake boat race of Kerala) is underway...Read More

    Fighters from Bali’s Kalari have summoned their full strength to race ahead and win, amidst a raging storm. But fate has other plans.

  • Fall Of The Prassahar - Chapter Eleven

    “Fall of the Prassahar(Chapter Eleven)”

    Our heroes have finally fallen to the wrath of an empire foreign. The Prassahar, the last remaining sanctuary of Kalarippayattu, is burning...Read More

    Those who survived have nothing else to do but to lament and to find a new safe haven. Will our heroes return to their erstwhile glory?

  • The Raid - Chapter Three

    “The Raid (Chapter Three)”

    Balaram is standing amidst his most fearless warriors, laying out the plans for the first direct attack against the British which involves taking down a colonial prison...Read More

    Disguising it simply as an attempt to free their fellowmen, the master has other plans. He wants to send a message.

  • Battle Of Trivandrum - Chapter Nine

    “Battle of Trivandrum (Chapter Nine)”

    The British have found the location of the secret Kalari. With the full force of three platoons, they have unleashed their wrath on the entire Kalarippayattu fraternity which had gathered for the tournament...Read More

    A mega battle erupts on multiple fronts. Ray and Kurian run frantically through the streets of Trivandrum, desperately trying to save their lives, as a gigantic artillery machine chases them, destroying everything on its way.

A Glimpse of Pratidwandi

A Glimpse Of Pratidwandi the opponent

Disclaimer

“This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictious manner. Any resemblance to actual person, living or dead, or actual events, places, locales or incidents is purely coincidental.

The views, opinions and beliefs expressed are solely of the author in his personal capacity and do not express the views, opinions and beliefs of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas or any other individual or organisation.”

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