German heritage patron & koodiyattam enthusiast set to end 30-year ties with state

TALL, energetic, and full of warmth, he was a regular at pooram festivals in Thrissur, Arattupuzha, and Peruvanam, where he could be spotted wearing a cotton kurta and mundu, blending in with local people, and enjoying the rhythms of the melam.

- GOPIKA VARRIER @Thrissur

Heinz J Paul, who goes by Prem Manasvi, used to own the 200-year-old 'Naalukettu' in Cherpu. He is a German by birth, and a Keralite by choice. Ending his 30-year association with 'God's Own Country', Prem, at the age of 84, is set to return to his home country, after selling his property. Prem arrived in India as a coordinator at the press office of the Osho Commune in Pune in 1993. There, he met a Malayali, Alok, who invited him to visit Kerala. It was love at first sight. After an extended search for a suitable residence, Prem chanced upon information about Alakkattu Mana being put up for sale, and bought it. He renamed it Naalukettu. Prem maintained the