Manakkadan Kunhambu Gurikkal

Manakkadan Kunhambu Gurikkal was born in Eranholi belong to Thalasseri Taluk in Kottayam, Malabar in the Malayalam year ME 1001 (AD 1826). Gurikkal's father Punnathur Manakkadan Raman belonged to the Thiyya community, was a rich nattupramani in Eranholi.

The practicing of kathakali was not permissible for the Thiyya community in Valluvanad and so Gurikkal had to travel in order to pursue his interest.

It was also fulfilling the interest of his father. Gurikkal stayed with a Aarattupuzha Kallasseri family in Kaarthikappalli Taluk, and practiced kathakali under the guidance of Mritwe Patter. Patter was famous for teaching Kottayam kathakal in the style of Kallikkodan Sambrathayam.

After a preliminary study in Kathakali, Gurikkal decided to contest a kathakali Yogam in Eranhioli, Thalassery. His brothers, Manakkadan Kunhunni and Manakkadan Chathunni, became interested in this kaliyogam and Gopala Panicker supervised it.

The singers and musicians who served in Gurikkal’s kaliyogam were mainly from Palakkad, with a few others being Marars from Thalassery. A number of respectable teachers and performers were also served in the Kaliyogam, including Eachara Menon, Koothannur Madhavan Nair, Elannummel Kuttan Nair, Koottil Kunhan Menon, and Onakkan Menon. Gurikkal’s famous vesham was Hanuman in the play, Kalyana Saugandhikam. He usually shows superhuman ability while performing vella tadi(Hanuman). There had a hanuman Tara in the backside of Panayamparambil Tharavadu house worshipped by Gurikkal.

Gurikkal taught people, including children from Eranholi and Anjarakkandy.

Gurikkal married Panayamparambil Kalyani, who was residing at Panayamparambil,Kannur; they had three children, called Ramanunni ,Kittunni and Kunkichi. The second son Kittunni conducted a Circus troop named Malabar Cannanore Circus (Kannur) in 1918.

Gurikkal’s kaliyogam existed during the Malayalam Era from 1045 to 1070. However, he continued his Kathakali performance until his death. He was seriously injured by an accident while performing Hanuman vesham and lost one of his eye. Gurikkal died in ME 1077 in the age of 76 from Eranholi.

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