Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker

Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker

Subject: History

Context : The recently-released Malayalam film PathonpathamNoottandu (‘Nineteenth Century’). It is based on the life of ArattupuzhaVelayudhaPanicker, a social reformer from the Ezhava community in Kerala who lived in the 19th century.

Concept :

• ArattupuzhaVelayudhaPanicker was also known as KallaserilVelayuthanPanikker or Chekavar of Arattupuzha.
• He was an Ezhava warrior who fought against oppression by the upper castes.
• He was born on 7 January 1825.

Role in Social Reforms In Kerala

• The anthropologists Filippo and Caroline Osella consider VelayudhaPanicker to be a forerunner of Sri Narayana Guru.
• Velayudhan studied Ayurveda, Astrology, Sanskrit and Kalripayattu
• As a compliment the Travancore King gave him a title of Panickan, later it was modified as Panicker.
• He learned Kathakali, considered to be a Namboothiri Brahmin art
• He started a Kathakali troupe called Kalisseri Kathakali Yogam with the help of Ambalapuzha Madhava Kurup.
• Panickerorganized Achipudava Strike. It was for Achipudava for lower caste women that cover the portion below the knee and he was succeeded.
• He was also associated with MookkuthyChantha incidence in Pandalam. By this a permission granted to lower class women to wear gold ornaments
• Panicker had commanded all Channar women in his area to cover their upper body and he bought and distributed upper cloths to all Avarna women in Kayamkulam market.
• He had gone to Guruvayur temple, dressed like a Brahman and spent ten days of learning puja and installion of temple deities.
• In 1852, he founded a temple in Mangalathu village. The founder of EdackaduNjaneshwaram Temple was ArattupuzhaVelayudhaPanicker. All castes and tribes were allowed to worship there.Panicker built another temple in Cheruvaranam in 1853.
• Panicker also founded a school and a library in Arattupuzha.
• He was killed in 1874 during a boat journey by a group of upper class people who attacked him from behind during the darkness of night.
• Community Hall in memory of ArattupuzhaVelayudhaPanicker is situated in Mangalam (Alappuzha).
• ArattupuzhaVelayudhaPanicker Research Foundation and Cultural Centre is also situated at Mangalam.