imported>Harijayan →History: Removed an unverified myth surrounding the warrior, which was communally targeted against Muslims. The said story was added to foster to give legitimacy to their false claims |
No edit summary |
||
| (2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{short description|Indian warrior and heroine}} | |||
{{For|the 1961 film of the same name|Unniyarcha (film)}} | {{For|the 1961 film of the same name|Unniyarcha (film)}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}} | {{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}} | ||
{{ | [[File:Wedding at ‘Puthooram Veedu’.jpg|thumb|Wedding at ‘Puthooram Veedu’, mock marriage at childhood between Chandu chekavar and unniyarcha as described in a ballad.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nair |first1=Aparna |title=Bringing to life the ballads of north Malabar on canvases |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/bringing-to-life-the-ballads-of-north-malabar-on-canvases/article66661369.ece |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |date=25 March 2023}}</ref>]] | ||
| | '''Unniyarcha''' or '''Puthooramputhri Unniyarcha''' ({{Script|ml|ഉണ്ണിയാർച്ച}}, {{IPA|ml|uɳːijaːrt͡ːʃɐ}}) is a legendary warrior and heroine from the 16th century, mentioned in the ''[[Vadakkan Pattukal]]'', a set of historical ballads from northern [[Kerala]], a state in southwestern India. She was a member of a [[Thiyyar]] community family called ''Puthooram Veed'' in [[Kadathanad]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CaoAEQAAQBAJ&dq=thiyya+subcaste&pg=PA124 | title=The Laws of Yesterday's Wars 3: From the Highlands of Papua New Guinea to the Island of Malta | isbn=978-90-04-51256-6 | last1=Duckett White | first1=Samuel C. | date=8 April 2024 | publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers }}</ref> The location of Puthooram Veed is described in the [[Vadakkan Pattukal]] as follows: ''Puthoorampaadam (large paddy field under Puthooram Veed) is situated at the eastern end of Kadathanadu (present-day [[Vadakara]]). Ilavanoor Madam is located at the western end of Puthoorampaadam, and within Ilavanoor Madam lies Puthooram Veed.'' | ||
| | |||
| | In the Vadakkan Pattukal, when Unniyarcha beheaded the [[Malabar Muslims|Mappila]]s (Jonakars) of [[Nadapuram]] with her [[urumi]], the [[Malabar Muslims|Mappila]] Moopan, who had tried to capture her with his men, approached several people to negotiate and prevent them from informing [[Aromal Chekavar]] or the people at Puthooram Veedu, in order to avoid further retaliation. Finally, they approached the Thamburatti (queen) of [[Kolathiri]]. The Thamburatti replied that they had no right to advise Puthooram Veedu, because at the time of the [[Chera dynasty|Chera king]]’s departure, both [[Kolathiri]] and Puthooram Veedu were granted equal status,meaning even the king could neither control nor advise them.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.onmanorama.com/travel/travel-news/2018/10/17/go-on-a-thrilling-trip-to-the-martial-arts-heritage.html | title=Go on a thrilling trip to the martial arts heritage of Kadathanad }}</ref><ref name="unni2nn"/> | ||
| | |||
| | Unniyarcha's father's name was Kannappa [[Chekavar]].<ref name="Thiyya-chekava">Jumbos and Jumping Devils: A Social History of Indian Circus - Nisha P.R. | ||
[https://books.google.com/books?id=My8DEAAAQBAJ&q=Chekavan.Jumbos&pg=PT42 and Jumping Devils]</ref> She is believed to have lived in the northern part of Kerala during the 16th century. She is a popular character in Kerala's folklore and is remembered for her valour and skills in Kerala's native martial art, [[Kalaripayattu]]. According to legend, Unniyarcha was mostly known for her deadly skill with the whip-like [[urumi]], a unique type of sword that originates from Kerala. Like most traditional Kalaripayattu practitioners, she began training at the [[kalari]] at the age of seven.<ref name="unni2nn"/> | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
There are so many such instances in Vatakkan Pattukal where the warrior heroes or heroines of the stories would win or lose in some of the famous duels of Kalaripayattu. Among these instances, the fight between Unniyarcha and several men with an [[urumi]] (specially used for Kalarippayattu) to safeguard herself and her husband from a planned attack by some thieves is very popular.<ref>{{cite book|last=Arya Madhavan|year=2010|title=Kudiyattam Theatre and the Actor's Consciousness|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jfl5DwAAQBAJ&dq=unniyarcha&pg=PA134|publisher=Brill ebook|page=134|isbn=9789042027992}}</ref> | |||
== | ==Biography== | ||
[[File:ലോകനാർകാവ് ഭഗവതി ക്ഷേത്രം 01.jpg|thumb|Bhagavathy Temple, Lokanarkavu belonging to Puthooram Veedu]] | |||
Unniyarcha was from the famous ''Puthooram Veedu'' of [[Kadathanad]] ([[Vadakara]]), a region in northern present-day [[Kerala]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/meet-padma-shri-meenakshi-gurukkal-grand-old-dame-kalaripayattu-56274|title=Meet Padma Shri Meenakshi Gurukkal, the grand old dame of Kalaripayattu - The 75-year-old Padma winner is perhaps the oldest Kalaripayattu exponent in the country|last=|first=|date=25 January 2017|website=|access-date=}}</ref><ref name="malayalamresourcecentre.org">{{Cite web |url=http://malayalamresourcecentre.org/Mrc/literature/folk.html |title=History of Malayalam Literature: Folk literature |access-date=2013-08-09 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712115051/http://malayalamresourcecentre.org/Mrc/literature/folk.html |archive-date=2012-07-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Throughout her life she was often titled ''Puthooramputhri'' (daughter of Puthooram house). After her marriage to Kunjiraman she was also referred to as ''Attummanammel Unniyarcha.'' Kunjiraman had a kalari known as ''Puthussery Kalari,'' which is said to remain in the [[Kannur]] district of Kerala to this day. Legend has it that Unniyarcha won 64 kalari ankam in her youth. She was the sister of [[Aromal Chekavar]] and Unnikannan. Unniyarcha rejected the romantic advances of [[Chandu Chekavar]] (also known as ''Chanthu Chekavar''), which led to the murder of her brother Aromal. Aromalunni, the son of Unniyarcha, later took revenge against Chanthu to avenge his uncle.<ref>{{cite book | |||
}}</ref> | |||
| last = Ayyappapanicker | | last = Ayyappapanicker | ||
| first = K. | | first = K. | ||
| Line 116: | Line 23: | ||
| isbn = 81-260-0365-0 | | isbn = 81-260-0365-0 | ||
| pages = 316 | | pages = 316 | ||
}}</ref> Unniyarcha | }}</ref> | ||
[[File:Urumi weapon.jpg|thumb|Urumi weapon|150px]] | |||
Unniyarcha | ==Nadapuram fight== | ||
According to historian [[A. Sreedhara Menon]], Unniyarcha mastered the technique of warfare in childhood by undergoing a rigorous course of training in the kalari. She married Attummanammel Kunhiraman, and a day later, Unniyarcha set out from home to see the Kuthu in ''Allimalarkavu'', the Vilakku in Ayyappankavu and the Velapuram in Anjanakavu (the version in the ballads). As the [[Malabar Muslims|Mappilas]] (Jonakas) in the bazaar on her journey were a much dreaded lot, her husband and relatives did not approve of that. In spite of this, she was determined to go for these festivals.<ref name="unni2nn"/> Her husband Kunhiraman had no other alternative but to accompany her. As expected, she was waylaid at [[Nadapuram]] by the mappilas. Though Kunhiraman was in jitters, Unniyarcha showed her mettle by facing her adversaries almost single-handed. The headman of the jonakas (mappila), who happened to see her on the way, was enamoured of her beauty and sent his men to carry her away by force. Unniyarcha drew her sword and then proceeded to kill some of them. The rest fled and brought the headman himself to the scene, who soon discovered that she was the sister of his fencing master. He appealed to both the brother and sister to pardon him, but Unniyarcha was inexorable and challenged him and his men to a fight.<ref name="move">{{cite book|last=B.S. Chandrababu, L. Thilagavathi|year=2009|title=Woman, Her History and Her Struggle for Emancipation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NZmyUpHdPWYC&dq=unniyarcha&pg=PA156|publisher=Bharathi Boothakalayam|page=156|isbn=9788189909970}}</ref> | |||
The mappilas soon realised that their opponent was none other than the brave sister of Aromal Chekavar, whom their leader had held in great awe and respect. Having realised his mistake, the leader tried to do his best to pacify her, but she would not pardon him without a categorical assurance that women would be allowed to walk along that way without any fear of molestation. Not even the intercession of the wife of the ruling chieftain and the influential Chetti (Chekavar’s friend) would be able to win her over. At last, Aromal Chekavar himself appeared on the scene. Only after the leader made a tendered wholesome apology and offered all kinds of gifts did she calm down and make peace with her adversaries.<ref name="unni2nn">{{Cite book|last=Menon|first=A. Sreedhara|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wnAjqjhc1VcC|title=Kerala History and its Makers|publisher=D C Books|date=4 March 2011|isbn=978-81-264-3782-5|pages=82–86|language=en|access-date=10 October 2021}}</ref> The chief persuaded the girl to sheath her sword, which she did on the headman’s promise that no woman of the place would be molested in the future.<ref name="move"/> | |||
== In popular culture == | == In popular culture == | ||
The legend of Unniyarcha has been made into films such as: | The legend of Unniyarcha has been made into films such as: | ||
* ''Unniyarcha'' (1961) | * ''Unniyarcha'' (1961) | ||
*[[Aromalunni]] (1972) | * ''[[Aromalunni]]'' (1972) | ||
* ''[[Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha]]'' (1989) | * ''[[Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha]]'' (1989) | ||
* ''[[Puthooramputhri Unniyarcha]]'' (2002) | * ''[[Puthooramputhri Unniyarcha]]'' (2002) | ||
* A television serial titled ''Unniyarcha'' was | *A television serial titled ''Unniyarcha'' was broadcast on [[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]] in (2006). | ||
* | *''[[Veeram (2016 film)|Veeram]]'' (2016) | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Indian women | [[Category:Indian women warriors]] | ||
[[Category:Women in 16th-century warfare]] | [[Category:Women in 16th-century warfare]] | ||
[[Category:16th-century Indian | [[Category:16th-century Indian military personnel]] | ||
[[Category:16th-century Indian women]] | [[Category:16th-century Indian women]] | ||
[[Category:Military personnel from Kerala]] | [[Category:Military personnel from Kerala]] | ||
[[Category:Women from Kerala]] | [[Category:Women from Kerala]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:33, 18 March 2026
Unniyarcha or Puthooramputhri Unniyarcha (ഉണ്ണിയാർച്ച, ml) is a legendary warrior and heroine from the 16th century, mentioned in the Vadakkan Pattukal, a set of historical ballads from northern Kerala, a state in southwestern India. She was a member of a Thiyyar community family called Puthooram Veed in Kadathanad.[2] The location of Puthooram Veed is described in the Vadakkan Pattukal as follows: Puthoorampaadam (large paddy field under Puthooram Veed) is situated at the eastern end of Kadathanadu (present-day Vadakara). Ilavanoor Madam is located at the western end of Puthoorampaadam, and within Ilavanoor Madam lies Puthooram Veed.
In the Vadakkan Pattukal, when Unniyarcha beheaded the Mappilas (Jonakars) of Nadapuram with her urumi, the Mappila Moopan, who had tried to capture her with his men, approached several people to negotiate and prevent them from informing Aromal Chekavar or the people at Puthooram Veedu, in order to avoid further retaliation. Finally, they approached the Thamburatti (queen) of Kolathiri. The Thamburatti replied that they had no right to advise Puthooram Veedu, because at the time of the Chera king’s departure, both Kolathiri and Puthooram Veedu were granted equal status,meaning even the king could neither control nor advise them.[3][4]
Unniyarcha's father's name was Kannappa Chekavar.[5] She is believed to have lived in the northern part of Kerala during the 16th century. She is a popular character in Kerala's folklore and is remembered for her valour and skills in Kerala's native martial art, Kalaripayattu. According to legend, Unniyarcha was mostly known for her deadly skill with the whip-like urumi, a unique type of sword that originates from Kerala. Like most traditional Kalaripayattu practitioners, she began training at the kalari at the age of seven.[4]
There are so many such instances in Vatakkan Pattukal where the warrior heroes or heroines of the stories would win or lose in some of the famous duels of Kalaripayattu. Among these instances, the fight between Unniyarcha and several men with an urumi (specially used for Kalarippayattu) to safeguard herself and her husband from a planned attack by some thieves is very popular.[6]
Biography[edit | edit source]
Unniyarcha was from the famous Puthooram Veedu of Kadathanad (Vadakara), a region in northern present-day Kerala.[7][8] Throughout her life she was often titled Puthooramputhri (daughter of Puthooram house). After her marriage to Kunjiraman she was also referred to as Attummanammel Unniyarcha. Kunjiraman had a kalari known as Puthussery Kalari, which is said to remain in the Kannur district of Kerala to this day. Legend has it that Unniyarcha won 64 kalari ankam in her youth. She was the sister of Aromal Chekavar and Unnikannan. Unniyarcha rejected the romantic advances of Chandu Chekavar (also known as Chanthu Chekavar), which led to the murder of her brother Aromal. Aromalunni, the son of Unniyarcha, later took revenge against Chanthu to avenge his uncle.[9]
Nadapuram fight[edit | edit source]
According to historian A. Sreedhara Menon, Unniyarcha mastered the technique of warfare in childhood by undergoing a rigorous course of training in the kalari. She married Attummanammel Kunhiraman, and a day later, Unniyarcha set out from home to see the Kuthu in Allimalarkavu, the Vilakku in Ayyappankavu and the Velapuram in Anjanakavu (the version in the ballads). As the Mappilas (Jonakas) in the bazaar on her journey were a much dreaded lot, her husband and relatives did not approve of that. In spite of this, she was determined to go for these festivals.[4] Her husband Kunhiraman had no other alternative but to accompany her. As expected, she was waylaid at Nadapuram by the mappilas. Though Kunhiraman was in jitters, Unniyarcha showed her mettle by facing her adversaries almost single-handed. The headman of the jonakas (mappila), who happened to see her on the way, was enamoured of her beauty and sent his men to carry her away by force. Unniyarcha drew her sword and then proceeded to kill some of them. The rest fled and brought the headman himself to the scene, who soon discovered that she was the sister of his fencing master. He appealed to both the brother and sister to pardon him, but Unniyarcha was inexorable and challenged him and his men to a fight.[10]
The mappilas soon realised that their opponent was none other than the brave sister of Aromal Chekavar, whom their leader had held in great awe and respect. Having realised his mistake, the leader tried to do his best to pacify her, but she would not pardon him without a categorical assurance that women would be allowed to walk along that way without any fear of molestation. Not even the intercession of the wife of the ruling chieftain and the influential Chetti (Chekavar’s friend) would be able to win her over. At last, Aromal Chekavar himself appeared on the scene. Only after the leader made a tendered wholesome apology and offered all kinds of gifts did she calm down and make peace with her adversaries.[4] The chief persuaded the girl to sheath her sword, which she did on the headman’s promise that no woman of the place would be molested in the future.[10]
In popular culture[edit | edit source]
The legend of Unniyarcha has been made into films such as:
- Unniyarcha (1961)
- Aromalunni (1972)
- Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989)
- Puthooramputhri Unniyarcha (2002)
- A television serial titled Unniyarcha was broadcast on Asianet in (2006).
- Veeram (2016)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Nair, Aparna (25 March 2023). "Bringing to life the ballads of north Malabar on canvases". The Hindu.
- ↑ Duckett White, Samuel C. (8 April 2024). The Laws of Yesterday's Wars 3: From the Highlands of Papua New Guinea to the Island of Malta. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. ISBN 978-90-04-51256-6.
- ↑ "Go on a thrilling trip to the martial arts heritage of Kadathanad".
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Menon, A. Sreedhara (4 March 2011). Kerala History and its Makers. D C Books. pp. 82–86. ISBN 978-81-264-3782-5. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
- ↑ Jumbos and Jumping Devils: A Social History of Indian Circus - Nisha P.R. and Jumping Devils
- ↑ Arya Madhavan (2010). Kudiyattam Theatre and the Actor's Consciousness. Brill ebook. p. 134. ISBN 9789042027992.
- ↑ "Meet Padma Shri Meenakshi Gurukkal, the grand old dame of Kalaripayattu - The 75-year-old Padma winner is perhaps the oldest Kalaripayattu exponent in the country". 25 January 2017.
- ↑ "History of Malayalam Literature: Folk literature". Retrieved 9 August 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ Ayyappapanicker, K. (2000). Medieval Indian Literature: An Anthology. Sahitya Akademi. p. 316. ISBN 81-260-0365-0.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 B.S. Chandrababu, L. Thilagavathi (2009). Woman, Her History and Her Struggle for Emancipation. Bharathi Boothakalayam. p. 156. ISBN 9788189909970.