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'{{For|the 1961 film of the same name|Unniyarcha (film)}} {{short description|Indian warrior and heroine}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}} {{Infobox martial artist | name = Puthooram Veetil Unniyarcha | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = Unniyarcha's painting based on the description found in ''[[Vadakkan Pattukal]]'' | birth_name = Unniyarcha | birth_date =16th century <ref name="unni2nn"/> | birth_place =[[Kadathanad]] | death_date = 16th Century end | death_place = kadathanad | death_cause = Aged | native_name = | native_name_lang = | other_names = Attumanammel Unniyarcha | residence = | nationality =[[Malabars|Malabar]],[[India|Indian]] | ethnicity = Chekavar (Thiyyar) | height = <!-- "X cm" or "X ft Y in" (conversions are automatic) --> | height_ft = | height_in = | height_cm = | height_footnote = | weight = <!-- "X kg" or "X lb" (conversions are automatic) --> | weight_lb = | weight_kg = | weight_footnote = | weight_class = | reach = <!-- "X cm" or "X in" (conversions are automatic) --> | reach_in = | reach_cm = | reach_footnote = | martial_art = [[Kalaripayattu]] | style = thulu nadan | stance = | fighting_out_of = | team = | teacher = | trainer = | rank = | wrestling = | years_active = | box_win = | box_kowin = | box_loss = | box_koloss = | box_draw = | box_nc = | kickbox_win = | kickbox_kowin = | kickbox_loss = | kickbox_koloss = | kickbox_draw = | kickbox_nc = | mma_kowin = | mma_subwin = | mma_decwin = | mma_dqwin = | mma_otherwin = | mma_koloss = | mma_subloss = | mma_decloss = | mma_dqloss = | mma_otherloss = | mma_draw = | mma_nc = | am_win = | am_kowin = | am_subwin = | am_loss = | am_koloss = | am_subloss = | am_draw = | am_nc = | occupation = Chieftain of Kadathanad Raja | university = | spouse = Kunhiraman Chekavar Attumanammel House | children =Aromalunni | relatives =Kannappa Chekavar, [[Aromal Chekavar]], [[Chandu Chekavar]], Kunhi Kannan, Kannappanunni, Kunjunnooli, Thumbolarcha | students = | club = | school = | website = <!-- {{URL|www.example.com}} --> | boxrec = | sherdog = | footnotes = | medaltemplates = | show-medals = | updated = | module = | module2 = }} '''Unniyarcha''' ({{IPA-ml|uɳːijäːr̩t͡ʃɐ|Ml}}, {{indic|lang=ml|indic=ഉണ്ണിയാർച്ച|trans=Uṇṇiyārcha|showlang=true}})is a legendary [[warrior]] and heroine 16th century mentioned in the ''[[Vadakkan Pattukal]]'',<ref name="unni2nn"/> a set of historical ballads from northern [[Kerala]], a state in southwestern [[India]]. She was a member of a [[Thiyyar]] Community family of ''Puthooram Veed'' in [[Kadathanad]].<ref name="unni2nn"/><ref name="123ff">{{cite book|last=കാവാലം നാരായണ പണിക്കർ|year=1991|title=floklore of kerala-India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xH6BAAAAMAAJ&q=tiyya+|access-date=2008-10-08|publisher=National books,kollam|page=108|isbn=9788123725932}}</ref><ref name="gg">{{cite book | last = Ayyappapanicker | first = K. | series = Medieval Indian Literature: An Anthology | volume = One | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=KYLpvaKJIMEC&q=Tiya&pg=PA316 | title = Surveys and selections | publisher = [[സാഹിത്യ അക്കാദമി]] | year = 2000 | isbn = 81-260-0365-0 | pages = 316 }}</ref> Her father's name was Kannappa Chekavar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/281117/what-mt-did-to-unniyarcha.html|title=What MT did to Unniyarcha|first=Pushpa|last=Kurup|date=28 November 2017|website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref><ref name="Thiyya-chekava"> Jumbos and Jumping Devils: A Social History of Indian Circus - Nisha P.R. - Google Books [https://books.google.co.in/books?id=My8DEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT42&dq=Chekavan&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjCnO_mhKXtAhVabysKHZCiDpgQ6AEwA3oECAUQAg#v=onepage&q=Chekavan&f=false.Jumbos and Jumping Devils] </ref> She is believed to have lived in the northern part of [[Kerala]] during the 12th century.<ref name="malayalamresourcecentre.org">{{Cite web |url=http://malayalamresourcecentre.org/Mrc/literature/folk.html |title=History of Malayalam Literature: Folk literature |access-date=2013-08-09 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712115051/http://malayalamresourcecentre.org/Mrc/literature/folk.html |archive-date=2012-07-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/meet-padma-shri-meenakshi-gurukkal-grand-old-dame-kalaripayattu-56274|title=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|last=|first=|date=|website=|access-date=}}</ref><ref name="unni2nn"/> 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. Like most traditional Kalaripayattu practitioners, she began training at the [[kalari]] at the age of seven.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/english/deccan+chronicle-epaper-deccanch/what+mt+did+to+unniyarcha-newsid-77120520|title=What MT did to Unniyarcha - Deccan Chronicle|website=Dailyhunt|language=en|access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref><ref name="unni2nn"/> There are so many such instances in Vatakkan Pattukal, the narrative poems about warrior heroes and heroines prevalent in Kerala , who won or lost in some of the famous duels of Kalarippayattu. Among these songs, the fight of Unniyarcha, the female warrior, who fought against several men with a winding sword called [[Urumi]], specially used for Kalarippayattu, to safeguard herself and her husband from a planned attack of some thieves, is very popular.<ref>{{cite book|last=Arya Madhavan|year=2010|title=Kudiyattam Theatre and the Actor's Consciousness|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jfl5DwAAQBAJ&dq=unniyarcha&pg=PA134|publisher=Brill ebook|page=134|isbn=9789042027992}}</ref> [[File:Urumi weapon.jpg|thumb|Urumi weapon|150px]] ==Biography== ''Attummanammel'' Unniyarcha was from the famous ''Puthooram Veedu'' of [[Kadathanad]] ([[Vadakara]]), a region in northern [[Kerala]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name="malayalamresourcecentre.org"/> Unniyarcha was married to ''Attumanammel'' Kunjiraman.<ref>{{cite book | last = Gangadharan | first = Dr. Thikkurissi | title = Puthariyankam | publisher = [[DCBooks]] | year = 1984 | pages = 148 }}</ref> Many [[Thiyya|Thiyyar]] families today trace their roots to this Chekavar lineage, and to mythological fighters such as Unniyarcha and her brother, Aromal Chekavar.<ref> Ullekh.N.p, [https://books.google.com/books/about/Kannur.html?id=WR1eDwAAQBAJ. ''Kannur:inside India's Bloodiest Revenge Politics''] google books. P.201</ref> ''Attummanammel'' Kunjiraman had a kalari known as ''Puthussery Kalari,'' which remains in the [[Kannur]] district of [[Kerala]] to this day. History has it that Unniyarcha won 64 kalari ankam in her youth.<ref>{{cite book|last=Denvor Fernandez|year= 2020|title=Mahabali|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ozn1DwAAQBAJ&dq=unniyarcha&pg=PT214|publisher=Notion press|isbn=9781649516503}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite book | last = Ayyappapanicker | first = K. | title = Medieval Indian Literature: An Anthology | publisher = [[Sahitya Akademi]] | year = 2000 | isbn = 81-260-0365-0 | pages = 316 }}</ref> Unniyarcha is revered in Kerala, especially among [[Kalaripayattu]] practitioners, for her martial skill, courage and beauty. Unniyarcha is perhaps the most exceptional of all the 'heroines' of North Malabar. Also known as Archa, she became synonymous with empowered independent women in Kerala. Her name became a symbol of beauty, bravery and fierce independence among Keralite women. ==Nadapuram Fight== According to historian [[A Sreedhara Menon]], Unniarcha Even in her childhood she mastered the technique of warfare by undergoing a rigorous course of training in the Kalari.<ref name="unni2nn"/> She was the very embodiment of female heroism and many are the deeds of gallantry attributed to her in the northern ballads. She had married one ''Attummanammel Kunhiraman'' who was literally a coward. One day after her marriage Unniarcha set out from home to see the Kuthu in ''Allimalarkavu'', the Vilakku in Ayyappankavu and the Velapuram in Anjanakavu (the version in the ballads).<ref name="unni2nn"/> As the Mappilas (Jonakas) in the bazar on the way were a much dreaded lot, her husband and relatives did not approve of her journey. In spite of this, she was determined to go for these festivals.<ref name="unni2nn"/> Her husband Kunhiraman had no other alternative but to accompany her. As was expected, she was waylaid at Nadapuram by the [[Mappilas]]. Though Kunhiraman was in jitters, Unniarcha showed her mettle by facing her adversaries almost single-handed. The ballads so goes [[Nadapuram]] "Kerala History and Its Makers" mention her caustic comments about the nervous behaviour of her husband. ("Though a woman, I do not shiver. Then why should you, a man, shiforc)The headman of the chanakas (Yavanas) who happened to see her on the way, was enamoured of her beauty and sent his men to carry her away by force. Unniyarcha drew her sword and killed some of them.<ref name="move"/> The rest fled and brought the headman himself to the scene, who soon discovered that she was the sister of his fencing master.<ref name="move"/> He appealed to both the brother and sister to pardon him, but Unniyarcha was inexorable and challenged him and his men to a fight.<ref name="move">{{cite book|last=B.S. Chandrababu, L. Thilagavathi|year=2009|title=Woman, Her History and Her Struggle for Emancipation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NZmyUpHdPWYC&dq=unniyarcha&pg=PA156|publisher=Bharathi Boothakalayam|page=156|isbn=9788189909970}}</ref> The [[Mappilas]] soon realised that their opponent was none other than the brave sister of Aromal Chekavar whom their leader (Muppan) had held in great awe and respect.<ref name="unni2nn"/> Having realised his mistake the Muppan tried to do his best to pacify her, but she would not pardon him without a categorical assurance that women would be allowed to walk along that way without any fear of molestation. Even the intercession of the wife of the ruling chieftain or of the influential Chetti who was the friend of Chekavar failed to win her over.<ref name="unni2nn"/> At last Aromal Chekavar himself appeared on the scene. Only after the Muppan tendered wholesome apology and offered all kinds of gifts did she calm down and make peace with her adversaries.<ref name="unni2nn">{{Cite book|last=Menon|first=A. Sreedhara|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wnAjqjhc1VcC|title=Kerala History and its Makers|publisher=D C Books|date=4 March 2011|isbn=978-81-264-3782-5|pages=82–86|language=en|access-date=10 October 2021}}</ref> The chief of the place, who was appealed to, persuaded the girl to sheath her sword, which she did on the headman promising that no woman of the place would be molested in future.<ref name="move"/> == In popular culture == The legend of Unniyarcha has been made into films such as: * ''Unniyarcha'' (1961) *[[Aromalunni]] (1972) * ''[[Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha]]'' (1989) * ''[[Puthooramputhri Unniyarcha]]'' (2002). * A television serial titled ''Unniyarcha'' was aired on [[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]] (2006). * Her character was also shown in ''[[Veeram (2016 film)|Veeram]]'' (2016) ==See also== * [[Kozhikode|Calicut]] * [[Kannur]] * [[Chekavar]] ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Indian women in war]] [[Category:Women in 16th-century warfare]] [[Category:16th-century Indian people]] [[Category:Indian warriors]] [[Category:Thiyyar warriors]] [[Category:16th-century Indian women]] [[Category:Military personnel from Kerala]] [[Category:Women from Kerala]] {{lit-char-stub}}'