Kingdom of Kottayam

[2] When Hyder Ali of the Kingdom of Mysore occupied Malabar in 1773, the Raja of Kottayam found political asylum in Travancore.

By tradition Harischandara Perumal who built a fort at Puralimala and resided there is regarded as the founder of the Kottayam family.

At times, the part of Kolathunad, the Kottayam principality gradually acquired independent control over the territories lying in the Tellichery taluk, shared the area with the Iruvazhinad Nambiars and also extended its jurisdiction up to the borders of Coorg.

The then-raja of Kottayam was a brilliant actor-dancer who structured several compositions to complete the transition of Kathakali from its earlier form, Ramanattam, developed by Kottarakkara Thampuran.

After basic instruction in various faculties of the art in Vettathu Kalari of North Malabar, he shifted to Travancore and there in its capital and many other centres he found many willing to co-operate with him in bringing about these reforms.