The ballads of North Malabar rather the Vadakkan Paattukal are songs praising the heroic Chekavars. Chekavars are legendary warriors engaged in combat, often on behalf of noble men in the feudal system. A Chekavar is declared victorious in the duel when he kills his opponent. The combat type is Kalaripayattu; a martial art style that originated in Kerala. The most celebrated story of all in the ballads is that of Chandu's. It is too coincidental that a tale as starkly similar as William Shakespeare's Macbeth occurred even before he was born.