Kadavallur Anyonyam

Kadavallur Anyonyam, an annual debate of Vedic scholars from two schools of Rig Veda practice, is held at the Kadavallur Sree Rama temple on the border of Thrissur and Malappuram districts. It is the final examination of Vedic scholars from these institutions – the Thirunavaya Brahmaswam Math (once patronized by the Zamorin of Calicut) and the Thrissur Brahmaswam Math (earlier patronized by the Cochin kings). It is held in the Malayalam month of Vrischikam (mid Nov.).

The word anyonyam means 'each other' and the debate is called so because the portion to be chanted by a candidate for the competition is set by the competing school and the performance judged by them and vice versa. The competition gives great importance to the purity of the text, its correct pronunciation and intonation and the correct breaking up of the words. The competition itself is called varamirikkal and Kadannirikkal and Valia Kadannirikkal are the titles conferred on the winners. A student proficient in Samhita, Padachedam, Kramam, Jatha and Rata competes for the title of Kadannirikkal. The anyonyam was held regularly till about the time of independence after which it was discontinued. It was revived in 1989 and is being held regularly since then.