A Tale of Betrayal (An Old and Rare Book)

Yaksas are high calibre professional musicians of the Kantarva clan and live mostly in Nepal. There songs go by the name Kantarva Ka'nam. Kantarvas, Kimpurucas, Kinnaras, Caranas, Yaksas and Vityatards of Nepal claim that they belong to the band of angels called Kantarvas and trace-descent from them.

Yaksas, also proud of their divine origin, have an apocryphal story to back their claim. When they were created by Lord Piraman, some of them merely sought his protection or raksa. The others craved for something to eat or Paksanam (food). Thanks to the blessings of Lord Piraman, the first group became Yaksas and the second one Raksacas. Iyakkar and Yakkar are synonyms for Yaksas.

Kupera and many other divine personalities were the offspring of Kacipan and Curai. It was their duty to play on the instrument called Yal in the heavenly assembly. These Iyakkars (Yaksas) had as their leader Kupera. To safeguard the wealth of Kupera, the Iyakkars took to singing the praise of Goddess Ilakkumi. In fact, they became the sentinels to Kuperas opulence and the forerunners of Yatcakanam.

There are many communities in India which trace their origin to the gods. The Caranars of Saurashtra, the Tevars of South India and the Kantarva of Nepal may be cited as examples. The Yaksas who live in Andhra and Karnataka also claim a divine origin. Often these people are known by the names Jakkini and Jakkulu. The places occupied by them go by names such as Jakkacalikunta, and Jakkala Ceruvu.

Carnatic music traces its origin to the ancient system of music called Mattiyakrama. Similarly Hindustani music originated from Catjakirama. Yatcakanam owes its inspiration to Kantarvakanam. However, it should be noted, that Kantarvakanam belongs to the genre called Mark and Yatcakanam to the genre Teci.

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