People of Thrissur, Kerala gathered in huge numbers to pay respect to one of their own, someone whom they considered a part of their extended family. Their superstar, who was an integral part of their culture and festivities at the Thrissur Pooram. Teary eyed, droves of people could be seen breaking down in heart stricken grief at the tragic loss of Thiruvambadi Sivasundar, their favourite temple elephant!

One of the most majestic captive elephants of Kerala, Thiruvambadi Shivsundar , previously known as Pookodan Sivan, famous for his vibrant presence in all temple festivals in Kerala,India. The pachyderm stood at a majestic height measuring 306 cms, and was bestowed with titles such as ‘Kalaba Kesari Pattam’ and ‘Mathanga Kesari Pattam’. He was also the focus of a documentary titled ‘Azhakinte Thampuran’ or the ‘King of Beauty’ as his fans would adoringly call him.

Thiruvambadi Sivasundar had been carrying the idol of Thiruvambadi temple, an honour reserved exclusively for the tallest and most majestic elephant for the past 15 years during the festivities at the Thrissur Pooram – the most colourful of all the temple festivals of Kerala, celebrated annually since 3 centuries, in Thrissur at Vadakkunnathan temple in the month of Medam (April),drawing a huge number of tourists from all over the world to take part in the festivities. And to the people of
Thrissur, the Pooram without their superstar elephant is just unfathomable!

Sivasundar also used to carry temple idols at other prominent festivals in Kerala such as the Arattupuzha Pooram, Nenmara-Vallangi Vela, Uthralikavu Pooram and Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam festival.

According to the records, Sivasundar was 47-years-old and was tethered in a closed tent in the premises of Thiruvambadi Dewaswom at  the Kaustubham Auditorium for the past 66 days the elephant was under treatment for erandakettu or impaction. Impaction is the blockage of digestive tracts in animals. According to Thiruvambadi Devaswom Secretary Prof. M Madhavan Kutty, the pachyderm breathed his last at 02:30 hrs on 11th March 2018. “Sivasundar was the favourite of elephant fans with its beauty and obedience. It cannot be replaced. It’s a huge loss to Devaswom and the elephant’s fans,” said Prof. M. Madhavan Kutty. He also dismissed claims of certain activists that Sivasundar was overworked. He added that the elephant was a gem for the temple and no efforts were spared in his treatment and care.

Sivasunder’s story goes 46 years back, to the forests of Vellikulangara. It was a common practice then to dig ‘vaarikkuzhis’ (hole dug to trap elephants) to catch baby elephants and one day, forest officers were told that an elephant had fallen into the pit. But instead of a baby, they found a mother elephant in the pit, while her male calf hovered anxiously above. The officers are said to have moved the baby, just one year old to the ‘Kodanadu elephant training centre’, while sending the elephant back to the forest, he refused to go back to the forest, then they handed him over to a timber merchant named Pookkodan Francis, and for the next two decades, Sivasunder lugged timber and was paraded in festivals, alternately.

Pookkodan Francis remembers an incident where Sivan was upset and walked off into the forest. Sivan was working with the loggers of the Rama Verma tea plantation at Vellikulangara in 1988 when a new mahout was brought in to take care of him. Sivan, like any other elephant, was highly sensitive to its human companions. The change of guard upset him so much that he just went into the forest.

Francis’s men followed him and tried to coax him back out of the forest, but Sivan refused to budge. Francis was advised many times to tranquilize the elephant but refused saying that he did not want to hurt the gentle creature.He adds “ If he did not want to come back, let the forest have one more elephant.”

Sivan surprised everyone when he came out of the forest after 19 days. The tusker was in no mood for captivity though. No mahout could chain the elephant. Then Francis went to the spot with a bunch of plantains in hand. Sivan followed his master home like an obedient child. In 2003, businessman Sunder Menon bought him and gifted him to the Thiruvambadi Temple, as an offering. However, he continued to be in Sundar Menon’s compound and was looked after by him.

Sivasundar collapsed after his prolonged illness of 66 days, efforts to make him stand with the support of cranes were unsuccessful.

At the funeral gathering, Animal lovers and  devotees made a beeline to see him, People from surrounding districts also gathered in droves to pay respects to the  famous elephant. People were seen bowing down, touching his tusks and many even broke down in tears in their grief. Homage poured in on  Social media and mainstream media. The funeral was attended by State Ministers
and few other eminent personalities of Kerala, but the most heart touching moment would be when other temple elephants marched and paid last respects to their fallen comrade. Sivasundar was the second elephant after the legendary Guruvayoor Kesavan to attract such a grand farewell.

Adventure & Wildlife pays tribute to Thiruvambadi Sivasundar – the beloved elephant of Thrissur. A&W