Kattappa - The Untold Story

This is a tale about a Royal Slave, an honor-bound sentry, a loving grandfather, a caring Godfather, and most of all, the most loyal Mama. Yes, this is a tale about Kattappa from Bahubali whose loyalty is second to none, yet he would kill the man he had come close enough to call his nephew.

Ever wondered how can a Man like Katappa who was brought up with slaves, be as strong as someone like Bahubali - the Legend? Moreover, how can a man from such a low level reach to heights even enough have raised his voice against the almighty Sivagami Devi when she was wrong?

Well, I guess S.S. Rajamouli Sir has his own ways of keeping secrets from his fans like any other writer/author like George R.R. Martin, J.K. Rowling etc…

The story that I am about to reveal will take us over 120 years back, at a time when even the Ultimate Mahishmati Kingdom was just formed and was spreading its new foundations across Bharat.

This was the time of Shoktas, one of the fiercest militia in the history, who ruled the high grounds of China. The Shokta Reign was always a fascination amongst the other kingdom back then. Though being a Kingdom only full of kshatriyas who had a reputation to be the most feared militia for over several centuries, it used to always be at peace within its kingdom.

No Fights within themselves nor the nearby kingdoms; yes they were not live other warmongering clans, they had evolved too much for their own good. They were revered to be the only Kingdom with no reason to expand their kingdom but at the same time, would never deny the needy kingdoms. The Shoktas had never been defeated in an open battle before. Their advanced tactics and evolved minds could match up to any military strategy of their rival, countering them back with such an ease.

This was when Urgrappa, the forefather of Katappa as you know him today visited the Shoktas in order to seek permission to meet the King of Shoktas, Yamana Vishu. 

Yamana, never declined anyone from meeting him personally in the royal chambers without his private guards trying to keep their king safe from any unknown threats. While meeting Ugrappa, Yamana had asked him about his real motive to ride so far from his village to meet Yamana in private.

Ugrappa revealed his real intentions of pledging undeniable loyalty to Mahishmati in return for their favor in helping them avenge their village against Vaithalikas. Yamana, who was still trying to read between the lines as to why was it so important for Ugrappa to come to his capital. Ugrappa had mentioned they were seeking young blood who can be trained as warriors for protecting their oath of serving Mahishmati and its safety. Yamana was taken aback as to where this conversation was heading. He cut Ugrappa in the middle stating that Ugrappa himself was blessed with his son and a newly born grandson. Yamana glared back at Ugrappa and whispered with a calm yet eerie  ‘What are your real intentions Ugrappa???’

Ugrappa froze at the sudden turn of events and how Yamana was growing impatient his sudden visit to meet Yamana after the unfateful day 25 years back when Ugrappa saved Yamana from getting deceived into making a wrong decision and annihilating over 4 kingdoms at once, which Yamana was very much capable of.

It was this day when Yamana felt grateful that for the first ever time the leader of the mighty Shoktas had assistance in making the right decision from an outsider, and saving himself and Shoktas a potential guilt which would have lasted their clan for more than centuries, till their last clan member was alive.

Yamana being virtuous had given his word to Ugrappa than when a day comes when Ugrappa needed Yamana, there would be no questions asked in return for an undeniable assistance to Ugrappa.

Soon, reality dawned at Yamana as Ugrappa asked him for what he had come to him. Ugrappa wanted to adopt Janapalaka, his 3 years old son who would be replaced by Ugrappas’ very own grandson Nadar - none other than the very KARIKALA KATTAPPA NADAR!!!

Janapalaka was quite strong for any 3-year old. He almost seemed to be 8 years old while he was just 3. Janapalaka meant the great guardian of mankind - the one who is chosen to protect mankind when the time of extinction will dawn up to mankind. Like his name, Janapalaka was not only strong but was a charming boy with just one scare on his right shoulder, which he got a year back while he joined his father Yamana for hunting.

Yamana was brought to the here and now as Ugrappa Nadar reminded Yamana about the word he had given and that Ugrappa doesn’t which his very grandson to be a slave. Yamana glared at him with anger and order him to leave the chambers right away before Yamana beheads him to his punitive behavior.  Ugrappa Laughed hard as Yamana sat on his throne uncomfortable.

Yamana felt a bit dizzy and wanted to ask what Ugrappa had happened to him, and why is Ugrappa laughing.

‘I did not expect you to fulfill your promise any day Yamana, but I am not the only one to reach out to the Shoktas’, replied Ugrappa with all his sarcasm at his might. Ugrappa had revealed that he had poisoned the Sholuka river which the Shoktas revered like mother God, the night previous to his visit to the kingdom and that Yamana and his entire kingdom had just 3 hours left before falling down as one mighty clan eradicated at the snap of Ugrappa’s fingers.

Yamana was devastated for his fate and was wondering how to save his people and his family within the 3 limited hours. This was when Ugrappa ordered Yamana to order Janapalaka to come with himself and revere him to be the real forefather. This was the only way to save his entire clan and his son, Janapalaka. 

With no choice whatsoever, Yamana summoned Janapalaka and ordered him as per what Ugrappa had insisted. Janapalaka being a kid, did not understand much but he was just happy to know that he had a forefather whom he could look after too, just like his father.

Janapalaka was given a drink which helped him even before the poison began its attack, less was known to Yamana that his entire tribe had already fallen for the vicious poison mixed by Ugrappa. 

Just before his last breath, Yamana left a terrible curse that the real family of Ugrappa who would fall in front of his very own eyes by the ones he called his masters and that one day his son..his Janapalaka would rise above, though being a slave but living up to Yamana and the Shokta’s last tribe member like the Yuvaraj was.

This is why the Katappa we knew and the Janapalaka discovered today, is only of the mightiest man to ever walk in Mahishmati. 

Hope you liked the tale of  - An unfortunate king turned Slave, defending the honor of Mahishmati not less than a king


P.S. Image Source: google search result.