Panicker is a Nair title or last name. Panicker is an ethnic group belonging to the Hindu religion, who live in the South Malabar and central parts of the Indian state of Kerala. They were well-known as the masters of Kalari tradition, having their Nalpatheeradi Kalari. They are the people who propagated and practised Kalaripayattu, the martial art form of Kerala. Illathu or Kiriyathu Panicker belong to upper caste in Kerala.
Etymology
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.".This title was most commonly used by the Nairs. The title was also used by Kaniyars, Ezhavas and Syrian Christians.
Details:
The surname Panicker is used by many communities today. Kiriyathil and Illathu Nair-Panickers have no relation with other Panickers. Kiriyathil and Illathu Nair-Panickers were the teachers of Kalarippayattu and suicide squads of Kings. 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 or Varma Panikkars." In Crucible of Conflict: Tamil and Muslim Society on the East Coast of Sri Lanka By Dennis B. McGilvray it is given that "Velappanikan and Palapanikkan both have military connotations and possible Kerala roots." In The History of Ceylon Tamils, by Mrs. Vasantha Nadarajah it is given that "During the reign of King Kunaveera Singaiariyan, Parakramabahu VI ruled the Kotte kingdom. A great warrior by the name of Panikkan came to Ceylon from Malayalam during this period. Parakramabahu took Panikkan under his wings and got him married a lady from his clan." Shri.K.Sankara Narayana Menon of Chavakkad was trained by his father Veerashri.Mudavannattil Sankunni Panicker of Tirur, who in turn was trained by his uncle, Shri.Mudavannattil Krishna Panicker Asan, who learned under his uncle, and so on. As recorded in the family's palm-leaf manuscript, the Mudavannadu family was given the title Anchaikaimal By The Raja of Vettattu Swaroopam in recognition of its exclusive responsibility for training those who fought on the Raja's behalf and its responsibility for destroying the evil force. In ancient times, in some regions of Kerala special titles like 'Kurup', 'Nambiar', 'Panicker' etc were also conferred on the Kalarippayattu experts and they became identified with the castes by these names. The 'Nair' who had charge of a particular Kalari or group of Kalaris for the training and upbringing of warriors were called the Gurukkal of the Kalari or Kalaris." Shri.Putumanna Kantur Menon is mentioned as one of the Chaver leaders who fought vainly to the death - so is Putumanna Panicker; the context indicates that the names refer to the same person. If so, the title Panicker was an honorific accorded to certain families who were totally committed to the profession of battle. Chandrattil, Putumanna, Kolkat and Verkot families, represented by the respective Panickers, were all leaders of the Chaver. There is a caste called Kalari Kurup/Kalari Panicker. It is a recently created caste with the word Kalari added in the caste name. They actually belong to Kaniyar community, the community of astrologers. They have no relation with Kiriyathil Nairs and Illathu Nairs. Some people claim that Panicker was also a title given to Nadar community. But Nadars never practiced martial arts in ancient times.
