Uttara Swayamvaram - Irayimpan Thampi(1782 to 1856)                                                                         BACK

This story takes place during the second portion of Ajnathavasa ( living incognito) of the Pandavas. The pace of the story is fast and story has many dramatic twists and turns.

Yudhishtira is the political adviser to King Virata and others at the same place are, Bhima a cook, Arjuna eunnuch dance teacher, Nakula horse keeper, Sahadeva cattle manager and Panchali a royal dasi (maid servant). They all have different names such as Valala for Bhima, however this not important for now.

On hearing about Keechaka's death by strangulation, who was equal in strength to Bhima, Bhishma predicts that the Pandavas may be hiding in-cognito in Virata's palace. Agreeing to this Duryodhana sends Thrigartha to steal cows from one side of Virata's country while he, Karna and others will attack the country from another side. Since nobody else was available Bhima defends the cattle against Thrigartha.

But who will defend the country from the Kaurava attack? Uttaran, the son of Virata king boasts that he would have defended the country if he had a good charioteer. Nobody likes his boasting, least of all Panchali the maid. She requests Arjuna to go with Uttaran and teach the Kaurava's a lesson. Then Arjuna as the eunnuch dance teacher says he will be the charioteer. So he and Uttaran both set off.

First Arjuna goes to a place where his weapons were kept hidden, takes them and goes to the war ground. On seeing the Kauravas, Uttara is scared as hell and tries to run away. But Arjuna stops him saying he may just watch and Arjuna will fight. Arjuna fights and defeats the Kauravas and when he uses Sammohana Astra all the Kauravas faint. He asks Uttaran to collect the defeated warrior's weapons and warsuits. Then they return to inform Yudhishtira about the incident. The Pandavas reveal their real identity and also declare that the one year of Ajnathavasa is also over.

Arjuna becomes his old self. Then Uttara, daughter of Virata who studied dance under Arjuna, and had special feelings for him, wants to marry him. However Arjuna says he is old enough to be her father and instead gets his son Abhimanyu to marry her. The marriage takes place as the story ends.

 Arjuna has a special makeup of eunnuch. Bhima is Minuku. So is Bhishma . Thrigartha is Red Beard. Duryodhana is Kathi vesha. Uttara, Virata, Karna are Pacha. Panchali is Minuku.