Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker

Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker was an Ezhava warrior who lived in the 19th century in Kerala, South India and fought against caste oppression by the upper castes.

Revolt against caste subjugation

He had flouted caste prohibitions and restrictions since childhood, requiring Ezhavas who lived in his area under his protection to do likewise, for example by using public roads. At the time of the 1850s breast cloth controversies, he commanded all Channar women in his area to defy royal prohibition upon covering upper body and had bought and distributed upper cloths to all Avarna women in Kayamkulam market. When some high status Nambudiri Brahmin men later intimidated covered Ezhava woman, tearing breast-cloth away, he killed them with a sword.[1][2] On another occasion, dressed like a Brahmin he had gone to Guruvayur temple, and spent ten days learning puja and installion of temple deities. During that period, non-Nambudiris were never allowed to learn puja and installion of temple deities. When his identity was uncovered by a horrified and furious Brahmin, he threw a bag of gold onto the table saying, "Yes, I am a Panicker; take this gold for your services." He ran off after attacking some Savarna temple officials. The irate temple officials chased him as far as Cherthala.

In 1852 he travelled to Goa where he learned Brahminical rites used for temple worship. In 1854, he founded a temple in Mangalathu village. Viswanathan Gurukal of Kandiyur, Mavelikkara installed Sivlinga. And Panicker himself did the pooja. All castes and tribes were allowed to worship there. Panicker built another temple in Cheruvaranam in 1855 (Aruvippuram installation by Sree Narayana Guru was only in 1888).[1][2][3][4] He was killed in January 1874 during a boat journey by a group of upper-caste people.

Memorials

"Smaranika - 2005" issued by Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker Research Foundation and Cultural Center in their Alappuzha district meeting held on 10 April 2005.

References

  1. 1 2 Dr Filippo Osella and Caroline Osella, Social Mobility In Kerala: Modernity and Identity in Conflict (Pluto Press, 2000,ISBN 0-7453-1693-X), Page 156 to 158
  2. 1 2 Social Mobility In Kerala: Modernity and Identity in Conflict P 156 to 158. Dr Filippo Osella, Caroline Osella (Pluto Press). Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  3. ↑ Kenneth W. Jones, Socio-Religious Reform Movements in British India (Cambridge University Press, 1989,ISBN 0-521-24986-4), Page 180
  4. ↑ Socio-Religious Reform Movements in British India Page 180. Kenneth W. Jones (PCambridge University Press,1989). Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  5. ↑ "Panicker Research Foundation and Cultural Centre". The Hindu (Chennai, India: The Hindu). 2005-01-09. Retrieved 2005-05-01.
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