Panicker

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Surname in India

title: "Panicker" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["titles-in-india"] description: "Surname in India" topic_path: "geography/india" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panicker" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Surname in India ::

Panicker was an honorary title conferred by the kings of Kerala to distinguished individuals. This title was given to prominent families from different communities and religions, including Syrian Christians, Nairs, Ezhavas, and others.

Many of these families were warriors and led soldiers. They were well known as masters of the Kalari tradition, with some having Nalpatheeradi Kalari centers (name derived from its area of 42 x 21 feet). They also propagated and practised Kalaripayattu, the native martial arts of Kerala.

History

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Aloor_Kalari,_Thrissur.jpg" caption="A present-day Kalari in Aloor, Thrissur, Kerala (Aloor Kalari)"] ::

Kalaris in Kerala were established during different periods. The formation of Kerala is interlinked with the story of Parashurama. It is believed that Parashurama established 108 kalaris across Kerala. Several kalaris were established during the reign of Kulasekharas. In the 12th century towards the end of Perumal era, the present state of Kerala was divided into small autonomous provinces called Nadus and ruled by its Kings. During the Kulasekhara rule and later the kings of Nadus brought in warriors from Tulu Nadu.

The Portuguese traveller Duarte Barbosa said that "They are the skillful men who teach this art Kalarippayattu, and they are called the Panickers: these are the captains in war." In Journal of the Epigraphical Society of India it, is given that "The teachers of martial arts in order to distinguish themselves from other Panikkars, named themselves as Vanma, Varma Panikkars, Other titles include a middle name of "Kalarikkal" (literally, 'of the kalari') generally following the name of the respective 'kalari' to which he/she belongs to.

Meloot Panicker

'Meloot' is a prominent varma family in kerala. During their dynasty period, the Meloot family branched themselves into two formations - Ruling authority and Military authority. Henceforth the military authority Meloot Varmas were acknowledged as Panickers (warrior) and upheld the kingdom's shield and administration. Varmas received principal royalty status from The Kingdom of Travancore Since 1827 for their service . They are chiefly known as Meloot Varma Panickers or Meloot Panickers." At present, Kalaripayattu is not practiced or followed in some of the Meloot families, yet they keep their tradition and heritage very close to them.

Mathur Panicker

'Mathur' is located in Nedumudi in the Alappuzha district, the home of Mathur Panicker, the Nair General of the Chembakassery King. The Mathur Temple and the Mathur Gallery are there. The place is famous for the arts of Kathakali and Velakali. Kunjan Nambiar stayed at the Mathur temple for Bhajan and offered prayers to Bhagwati. There are Padma Shri award-winning artists including Mathur Govindan Kutty. There is also references to Mathur Panikker in English and Dutch documents. There is existing the pathinaru kettu of Mathur built entirely of wood.

Notable people

See also Panikkar

References

References

  1. (2000). "Social Mobility in Kerala: Modernity and Identity in Conflict". Pluto Press.
  2. "Kalaripayattu".
  3. "Keralolpathi (The origin of Malabar)".
  4. Lord Egerton of Tatton. (2002). "Indian and Oriental Arms and Armour". Courier Dover Publications.
  5. Nossiter, T. J. (Thomas Johnson). (1982). "Communism in Kerala : a study in political adaptation". University of California Press for the Royal Institute of International Affairs, London.
  6. Panikkar, K. M.. (July 1918). "Some Aspects of Nayar Life.". The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland.
  7. Thampuran ., Ramavarma Appan. (1923). "Bhootharayar".
  8. Sreedhara Menon, A.. (2007). "A survey of Kerala history". D C Books.
  9. "മാമാങ്കം: ചോര കൊണ്ടെഴുതിയ വീരചരിത്രങ്ങൾ; പോരാട്ടം, മരണം വരെ".
  10. (2016-03-04). "Festivals in Ancient Kerala: Mamankam".

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