Unniyarcha

Unniyarcha (sometimes spelled Unniarcha) is a legendary warrior and heroine mentioned in the Vadakkan Pattukal, a set of ballads from Kerala, a state in southwestern India. She was a member of a Chekavar(Thiyyar) family of Puthooram Veed in Kadathanad.[1]Her father's name was Kannappa Chekavar.[2][3] She is believed to have lived in the northern part of Kerala during the 16th century.[4][5] 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 and Sri Lanka. Like most traditional Kalaripayattu practitioners, she began training at the kalari at the age of seven.[6]

Puthooram Veetil Unniyarcha
BornUnniyarcha
16th century
Kadathanad
Other namesPuthooram Putri
NationalityIndian
StyleKalaripayattu
ChildrenAromalunni
Notable relativesAromal Chekavar, Chekavar of Ambadi Koloth, Chandu Chekavar

History

Attummanammel Unniyarcha was from the famous Puthooram Veedu of Kadathanad, a region in northern Kerala.[5][4] Unniyarcha was married to Attumanammel Kunjiraman.[7] Attummanammel Kunjiraman had a kalari known as Puthussery Kalari, which remains in the Kannur district of Kerala to this day. 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.[8] Unniyarcha is revered in Kerala, especially among Kalaripayattu practitioners, for her martial skill, courage and beauty.

For Hindus, bravery, valour and martial arts have never been a male-only enterprise. As is evident from the terrific imagery of Devi Mahatmya, Goddesses were not only skilled warriors, they were called upon to fight demons when the rest of Gods, had already given up. As such, in keeping with the tradition, Kalaripayattu (a South Indian martial art) was taught to fearless men and women.

Unniyarcha of Puthooram family, is perhaps the most exceptional of all the 'heroines' of North Malabar. Also known as Archa, she became the icon of the empowered independent women in Kerala. Her name became a symbol of beauty, bravery and fierce independence among Kerala women.

Unniyarcha is believed to have lived in the 16th century. Unniyarcha grew up practising the Kalaripayattu techniques with her brothers Aromal and Unnikannan and cousin Chanthu. When she came of age, Archa married Kalari Asan Kunhiraman.

After marriage, Unniyarcha wished to visit the temples of Kuthu in Allimalarkavu, Villakku in Ayyappankavu & Velapuram in Anjanakavu. Her family tried to dissuade her, owing to the danger in the surrounding areas. Archa’s mother-in-law, narrated the stories of various instances of dacoits misbehaving with women.

They were known to abduct and molest women from the nearby areas.

She tied her Urumi (long whip-like sword kept close to the torso like a belt) to her waist and set out for the temple. Husband Kunhiraman, married to the very embodiment of Shakti, had no other option, but to follow his wife. Enroute, the dacoits saw her beauty and attempted to abduct her.

Unniyarcha wielding her Urumi injured many, through a grand performance of Kalari techniques. Announcing herself as the sister of Aromal Chekavar, she then warned the goons of serious consequences and threatened to destroy them. The leader of the gang panicked and tried to pacify her but she made them promise that they will never harass any women in that area anymore. The bandits fell on her feet, apologised & ran away.

The legend of Unniyarcha has been made into films such as:

See also

References
  1. North Africa To North Malabar: AN ANCESTRAL JOURNEY - N.C.SHYAMALAN M.D. - Google Books Africa To North Malabar:AN ANCESTRAL JOURNEY-N.C SHYAMALAN M.D-Google Books
  2. Kurup, Pushpa (28 November 2017). "What MT did to Unniyarcha". Deccan Chronicle.
  3. Jumbos and Jumping Devils: A Social History of Indian Circus - Nisha P.R. - Google Books and Jumping Devils
  4. "History of Malayalam Literature: Folk literature". Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  5. "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".
  6. "What MT did to Unniyarcha - Deccan Chronicle". Dailyhunt. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  7. Gangadharan, Dr. Thikkurissi (1984). Puthariyankam. DCBooks. p. 148.
  8. Ayyappapanicker, K. (2000). Medieval Indian Literature: An Anthology. Sahitya Akademi. p. 316. ISBN 81-260-0365-0.


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