Panicker

Panicker (sometimes Panickar or Paniker) is a title or last name. Panicker is an ethnic group belonging to the Hindu religion, who live in the South Malabar and central parts of the Indian state of Kerala. They were well known as the masters of Kalari tradition, having their Nalpatheeradi Kalari (name derived from its area of 42 x 21 feet).[1] They are the people who propagated and practised Kalaripayattu, the martial art form of Kerala.[1]

Etymology

The Portuguese traveller Duarte Barbosa said that "They are the skillful men who teach this art Kalarippayattu, and they are called the Panickers: these are the captains in war.".[2] This title was most commonly used by the Nairs. The title was also used by Kaniyar,[3]Ezhavas and Syrian Christians. The surname Panicker is used by many communities today. Kiriyathil and Illathu Nair-Panickers were the teachers of Kalarippayattu and suicide squads of Kings. In Journal of the Epigraphical Society of India it, is given that "The teachers of martial arts in order to distinguish themselves from other Panikkars, named themselves as Vanma, Varma Panikkars.[4][5]

Meloot Panicker

"Meloot (descendant of Chera dynasty) is a prominent varma family in kerala kalari tradition. During their dynasty period, The Meloot family branched themselves into two formations - Ruling authority and Military authority. Henceforth the military authority Meloot Varmas were acknowledged as Panickers (warrior) and upheld the kingdom's shield and administration. [6] Varmas received principal royalty status from The Kingdom of Travancore Since 1827 for their service . They are chiefly known as Meloot Varma Panickers or Meloot Panickers."[7][6] At present , Kalaripayattu is not practiced or followed in some of the Meloot families, yet they keep their tradition and heritage very close to them. "Although Panicker title are commonly used by other castes in Kerala they are different from Melootu Varma caste as " Panicker" is the title they got rewarded for their renowned military administration" [6][8]

Notable people


See also Panikkar

References
  1. "Kalaripayattu".
  2. Lord Egerton of Tatton (2002). Indian and Oriental Arms and Armour. Courier Dover Publications. p. 80.
  3. shttps://books.google.co.in/books/about/Castes_and_Tribes_of_Southern_India.html?id=FWZTAAAAYAAJ&redir_esc=y
  4. Nossiter, T. J. (Thomas Johnson) (1982). Communism in Kerala : a study in political adaptation. Royal Institute of International Affairs. Berkeley: University of California Press for the Royal Institute of International Affairs, London. ISBN 0-520-04667-6. OCLC 9602086.
  5. Panikkar, K. M. (July 1918). "Some Aspects of Nayar Life". The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. 48: 242–248. doi:10.2307/2843423. ISSN 0307-3114. JSTOR 2843423.
  6. Thampuran ., Ramavarma Appan (1923). Bhootharayar. pp. 86–127.
  7. Sreedhara Menon, A. (2007). A survey of Kerala history. Kerala State, India: D C Books. ISBN 978-81-264-1578-6. OCLC 426093919.
  8. നമ്പൂതിരിപ്പാട്, കെ നാരായണൻ (1953). വേരുറച്ച സമ്സ്കാരം. Kochi: ഗീത ബുക്ക് ടെപോട്. pp. 144–148.
  9. "മാമാങ്കം: ചോര കൊണ്ടെഴുതിയ വീരചരിത്രങ്ങൾ; പോരാട്ടം, മരണം വരെ". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  10. "Festivals in Ancient Kerala: Mamankam". Kerals.com. 4 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
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