Achan (title)

Achan is a title used by a Nair clan, found mostly in Kerala, India. The title was used by Nair feudal lords and were awarded to those Nairs who excelled in martial arts by the maharajahs of Travancore and Malabar. Achans included the Mangatt Achan of Calicut and the Paliath Achan of Cochin, Palakkat Achan of Palgaght.

References

Achan

Achan may refer to:

Achan (biblical figure)

Achan (/ˈeɪkæn/; Hebrew: עכן‎), also called Achar, is a figure mentioned in the Book of Joshua in connection with the fall of Jericho and conquest of Ai.

According to the narrative of Joshua chapter 7, Achan pillaged an ingot of gold, a quantity of silver, and a costly garment, from Jericho; the text states "But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the Lord: they shall come into the treasury of the Lord." The Book of Joshua claims that this act resulted in the Israelites being collectively punished by God, in that they failed in their first attempt to capture Ai, with 36 Israelite lives lost. The Israelites used cleromancy to decide who was to blame, and having identified Achan, stoned him, as well as his sheep, other livestock and his children to death. Their remains were burnt by the Israelites, according to the text, and stones piled on top.

Rashi, and many opinions in the Talmud, argue that the stoning was only carried out on the livestock and Achan himself, and that his children were merely brought forward to witness the Israelites ... stone them (Biblical text with emphasis added). The Talmud writers do however admit the possibility of the children being also stoned, arguing that since they had kept silent about their father's actions, they were complicit in the crime. One tradition, seemingly older, that is reported by the Classical Rabbinical literature, states that Achan's crime was far worse than the Biblical account appears - Achan had, according to these Rabbis, also stolen a magic idol with a golden tongue, silver votive gifts dedicated to it, and the expensive cloth that covered it. Other classical Rabbis portray Achan as guilty of more earthly crimes, claiming that he had committed incest, or performed work on the sabbath (equally immoral in their eyes).

Achan (2011 film)

Achan (English: Father) is a 2011 Malayalam-language film directed by Ali Akbar and starring Thilakan. The film is based on a drama of the same name written by S. R. Raveendran, who also scripted the film. The film's shooting began on 28 July 2010, and was scheduled to release by October. Several issues regarding the casting of Thilakan, an expelled member of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, led the film to a delayed release on 14 January 2011. Ali Akbar’s wife produced the film; the music was composed by his daughter.

Plot

The film is about an elderly gentleman Major Madhava Menon aka Major Maman (Thilakan) who has seen better days but has been left alone, and his emotional relationship with a male nurse, Rahithan (Sasi Eranjikkal). An emotional bond develops between the two. Rahithan considers the Major like his father. In between he gets thoughts of killing the Major to free both the souls of the burden they are carrying. But he can't do it and even rejects a government job in order to serve the Major. In the end, the Major sends Rahithan away at gun point, so that Rahithan should not miss his future.