It was after a legal battle, lasting several years, that Krishnan Thangal's family got its rights established over the river, which formed part of the family's landed properties.

The Madras High Court, while settling a dispute between the Madras Government and then karnavar of Puthiyedath illam sometime in 1960 ruled that the portion of the river passing through the lands of Puthiyedath illam belonged to the family and the government had no right over it.

Several attempts were made to force the family surrender its rights over the river after the formation of Kerala state, but the family still retains ownership.

``The illam owns 80 acres ofland on either side of the river. Besides, we are paying tax for the portion of the river which is passing through our land,'' says Krishnan Thangal, present karnavar of the family.

He told The Indian Express that he has filed a fresh complaint in the Koothuparamba court against a recent attempt made by the Mangattidam grama panchayat to auction the sand from the portion of the river which belongs to the illam.

``We are the rightful owners of the river. Then what right has the panchayat to auction our sand,'' asks Krishnan. The family used to sell the sand in its area until recently, but stopped it as some of the family members felt that the sand excavation would result in the gradual death of the river.

``Thangal'' is a title used by a section of Brahmin families in Kannur district. In fact, they have no links with the Moppilah Thangals.

Certain Brahmin families in the district accepted the title `Thangal' after they were banned by the elders of the community from offering poojasat the temples.

Legend has it that the Zamorin once tried to attack the famous Raja Rajeswari temple at Taliparamba. A section of Brahmins took up arms to protect the temple. The Zamorin realised his folly and returned without attacking the temple.

But the Brahmins who got armed were later banned from offering poojas for doing something not proper for people of their community. They came to be known as `Thangals' as they tried to protect themselves by taking up arms.

According to the legend, the Zamorin made amends for his mistake by making the banned Brahmin families landlords.

Namboodiri Thangals, however, offer poojas in the temples owned by them. According to Krishnan Thangal, there is no ban against them offering poojas, but members of the `Thangal' families ceased to be poojaris, after they were made landlords, he said.

Today there are as many as 12 `Brahmin Thangal' families in Kannur. The Puthiyedath illam had over 100 acres of land in the past. Of this the family today retains about80 acres.

Krishnan Thangal said the entire land is not his personal property, but it belongs to the family. Being the karnavar of the family he just acts as manager, he said.