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.
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.
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.
See also
- Aromal Chekavar
- Chekavar
- Vadakkan Pattukal
- Ezhava
- Kalarippayattu
- Kannur
- Vatakara
- Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha
References
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Last updated on Monday July 14, 2008 at 05:07:07 PDT (GMT -0700)
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