Unniyarcha

Unniyarcha (or sometimes spelled Unniarcha) is a popular legendary woman warrior mentioned in the "Vadakkan Pattukal", the old ballads of north Malabar. [ [http://www.india9.com/i9show/Unniyarcha-78557.htm Unniyarcha] ] She is a popular character in Kerala folklore. She was from North Kerala a small state in south India who lived in the 16th century. [ [http://malayalamresourcecentre.org/Mrc/literature/folk.html History of Malayalam Literature: Folk literature] ]

According to the folklore, Attummanammel Unniyarcha is from the famous Puthooram Veedu an Ezhava Chekavar family of Malabar. She is the sister of Aromal Chekavar and Unnikannan (another legendary warrior). She is trained in the arts of "Kalari", and is an expert at wielding the "Urumi", a waist belt-like weapon used in "Kalaripayattu". She saves the women of her village from being forcibly kidnapped by the rival community. [cite book
last = Majumdar
first = Ramesh Chandra
authorlink = R. C. Majumdar
coauthors = Madhavananda
title = Great Women of India
publisher = Vedanta
year = 1980
origyear = 1953
isbn = 978-0874811117
pages = 318-319]

Unniyarcha spurns Chanthu (or Chandu) Chekavar's love for her, which leads to the murder of her brother Aromal by Chanthu. Later, Aromalunni, the son of Unniyarcha, takes the revenge against Chanthu. [cite book
last = Ayyappapanicker
first = K.
title = Medieval Indian Literature: An Anthology
publisher = Sahitya Akademi
year = 2000
isbn = 8126003650
pages = 316]

Unniyarcha is praised for her bravery and beauty in Vadakkan Pattukal. She is considered as a heroine and symbol of female ability in Malayalee woman. The songs and chronicles have to this day kept the legend alive.

The legend of Unniyarcha has been made into the films such as "Unniyarcha" (1961), starring Prem Nazir and Sheela, "Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha" (1989), "Puthooramputhri Unniyarcha" (2002), etc.

ee also

* Aromal Chekavar
* Chekavar
* Vadakkan Pattukal
* Ezhava
* Kalarippayattu
* Kannur
* Vatakara
* Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha

References