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| caption = Unniyarcha's painting based on the description found in ''[[Vadakkan Pattukal]]'' | | caption = Unniyarcha's painting based on the description found in ''[[Vadakkan Pattukal]]'' | ||
| birth_name = Unniyarcha | | birth_name = Unniyarcha | ||
| birth_date =16th century | | birth_date =16th century <ref name="unni2nn"/> | ||
| birth_place =[[Kadathanad]] | | birth_place =[[Kadathanad]] | ||
| death_date = | | death_date = | ||
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}} | }} | ||
'''Unniyarcha''' (sometimes spelled ''' | '''Unniyarcha''' (sometimes spelled '''"Uñnįarcha"''') is a legendary [[warrior]] and heroine mentioned in the ''[[Vadakkan Pattukal]]'',<ref name="unni2nn"/> a set of ballads from [[Kerala]], a state in southwestern [[India]]. She was a member of a [[Thiyyar history|Thiyyar]] family of ''Puthooram Veed'' in [[Kadathanad]].<ref name="unni2nn"/> Her father's name was Kannappa Chekavar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/281117/what-mt-did-to-unniyarcha.html|title=What MT did to Unniyarcha|first=Pushpa|last=Kurup|date=28 November 2017|website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref><ref name="Thiyya-chekava"> Jumbos and Jumping Devils: A Social History of Indian Circus - Nisha P.R. - Google Books | ||
[https://books.google.co.in/books?id=My8DEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT42&dq=Chekavan&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjCnO_mhKXtAhVabysKHZCiDpgQ6AEwA3oECAUQAg#v=onepage&q=Chekavan&f=false.Jumbos and Jumping Devils] </ref> She is believed to have lived in the northern part of [[Kerala]] during the 16th century.<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><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=|website=|access-date=}}</ref><ref name="unni2nn"/> 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 most known for her deadly skill with the whip-like [[Urumi]], a unique type of sword that is native to Kerala. Like most traditional Kalaripayattu practitioners, she began training at the [[kalari]] at the age of seven.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/english/deccan+chronicle-epaper-deccanch/what+mt+did+to+unniyarcha-newsid-77120520|title=What MT did to Unniyarcha - Deccan Chronicle|website=Dailyhunt|language=en|access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref><ref name="unni2nn"/> | |||
[https://books.google.co.in/books?id=My8DEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT42&dq=Chekavan&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjCnO_mhKXtAhVabysKHZCiDpgQ6AEwA3oECAUQAg#v=onepage&q=Chekavan&f=false.Jumbos and Jumping Devils] </ref> She is believed to have lived in the northern part of [[Kerala]] during the 16th century.<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. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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}}</ref> Unniyarcha is revered in Kerala, especially among [[Kalaripayattu]] practitioners, for her martial skill, courage and beauty. | }}</ref> Unniyarcha is revered in Kerala, especially among [[Kalaripayattu]] practitioners, for her martial skill, courage and beauty. | ||
Unniyarcha is perhaps the most exceptional of all the 'heroines' of North Malabar. Also known as Archa, she became | Unniyarcha is perhaps the most exceptional of all the 'heroines' of North Malabar. Also known as Archa, she became synonymous with empowered independent women in Kerala. Her name became a symbol of beauty, bravery and fierce independence among Keralite women. | ||
===Nadapuram Fight=== | |||
According to historian [[A Sreedhara Menon]], Unniarcha Even in her childhood she mastered the technique of warfare by undergoing a rigorous course of training in the Kalari.<ref name="unni2nn"/> She was the very embodiment of female heroism and many are the deeds of gallantry attributed to her in the northern ballads. She had married one ''Attummanammel Kunhiraman'' who was literally a coward. One day after her marriage Unniarcha set out from home to see the Kuthu in ''Allimalarkavu'', the Vilakku in Ayyappankavu and the Velapuram in Anjanakavu (the version in the ballads).<ref name="unni2nn"/> As the Mappilas (Jonakas) in the bazar on the way were a much dreaded lot, her husband and relatives did not approve of her journey. 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 was expected, she was waylaid at Nadapuram by the Mappilas. Though Kunhiraman was in jitters, Unniarcha showed her mettle by facing her adversaries almost single-handed. The ballads so goes Nadapuram 85 Kerala History and Its Makers mention her caustic comments about the nervous behaviour of her husband. ("Though a woman, I do not shiver. Then why should you, a man, shiver".) The Mappilas soon realised that their opponent was none other than the brave sister of Aromal Chekavar whom their leader (Muppan) had held in great awe and respect.<ref name="unni2nn"/> Having realised his mistake the Muppan 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. Even the intercession of the wife of the ruling chieftain or of the influential Chetti who was the friend of Chekavar failed to win her over.<ref name="unni2nn"/> At last Aromal Chekavar himself appeared on the scene. Only after the Muppan 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> | |||
== In popular culture == | == In popular culture == | ||