Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker

Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker was born into the Valiya Kadavil family in Arattupuzha, Karthikapally Taluk of Alappuzha district. His maternal grandfather was Valiya Kadavil Perumal Chekavar and his father was Kuttithara Govinda Panicker.[5][6]

After the death of his mother, Velayudha Panicker was brought up by his maternal grandfather Perumal Chekavar, who was also known as Perumalachan. Velayudha Panicker was imparted a good education by his grandfather.[5][6]

Velayudha Panicker became proficient in the languages Sanskrit, Malayalam and Tamil. He became an exponent in the Kerala martial arts, Kalaripayattu, and was also an expert horseback rider.[5][6][7]

Valiya Kadavil was a wealthy and influential Ezhava family of the region. After the death of his grandfather, Velayudha Panicker inherited the family properties and took over the family rule.[5][6]

He married Velumbi, a member of the Varanappally family of Kayamkulam. Velumbi and Velayudha Panicker had seven children.[6][7]

Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker is credited to be the first Ezhava to challenge the Savarnas of Kerala, and it led to many legendary struggles on behalf of both men and women, against the upper caste domination.[3][8][9][10]

Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker built a temple called the Mangalam Shiva temple (also known as Edakkad Jnaneswara Temple) in Arattupuzha. Built in 1852, the temple opened its door to people of all castes and religions.[3][8]

He built another Shiva temple at Cheruvaranam, Thanneermukkom in Cherthala, in 1854.

In 1858, Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker spearheaded the Achipudava Samaram (strike for the right to wear lengthy lower garment, extending below the knees, by the women of backward communities) at Kayamkulam. He further organized the Karshaka Thozhilali Samaram, the first ever strike by agricultural labourers in Kerala, and succeeded.[2][3][10]

Ethappu Samaram of 1859 (strike for the right to wear upper cloth by the women of backward communities) led by Velayudha Panicker was a continuation of the Achipudava Samaram.[8][11]

Velayudha Panicker headed the Mukkuthi Samaram of 1860 (strike for the right to wear nose studs and other gold ornaments by lower caste women) in Pandalam.[2][3][10][12][13]

These 19th century struggles organized and led by Velayudha Panicker, and their successful outcomes, played pivotal role in elevating the dignity of lower caste women in the society.[8][9][10]

Velayudha Panicker established the first Kathakali (the classical dance form of Kerala) Yogam for Ezhavas in 1861. Kathakali performed by Ezhavas and members of other backward communities, was staged for the first time.[2][3][5][8][14]

In 1869, on his way to Padmanabhaswamy temple for the Murajapam (the chanting of prayers and recitation of three Vedas performed for a period of 56 days), Brahmin priest Tharananellur Nambudiri, was robbed of his Salagramam (sacred stone) in the backwaters of Kayamkulam. For capturing the robbers and recovering the Salagramam back to Tharananellur Nambudiri, Velayudha Chekavar was given the title “Panicker” by the king of Travancore.[2][15]

In 1874, a few upper castes plotted against Velayudha Panicker and, murdered him in his sleep during a boat journey in the darkness of night. He was 49 years old at the time of his death.[2][4][16]

Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker was the first martyr of Kerala Renaissance.[3][10][13][16]

A research centre now exists called The Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker Research Foundation and Cultural Centre.[17]

Indian filmmaker Vinayan is directing Pathonpatham Noottandu, a Malayalam-language biopic based on Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker's life, with Siju Wilson in the role of Velayudha Panicker.[6][18][19]

• Channar revolt
• Breast Tax