The  name  Vatakara  came  from  the  name  of   historical   Kottakkal   puzha’s   north   bank   “Vadakkekkara”. Kadathanadu (Badagara, Kadolkachakshiti in Sanskrit) was a former Nair Hindu feudatory  (of Kolathunad) city-state in present day Kerala state, South India, on the Malabar Coast famed  for  its  anthology  of  heroic  songs,   folklores  and  ballads  (known  as  Vadakkan   Pattukal)   and   for Kalarippayattu. Vatakara  is  known  as Kadathanadu.