Nasimahamad.vitaniya at 22:13, 20 March 2026

2026-03-20T22:13:08Z

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{{Short description|Indian ethnic group of Hindu religion}}
'''Kalari Panicker''' / '''Kalari Kurup''' is an ethnic group belonging to the [[Hindus|Hindu]] religion, who live in the [[Malabar District|Malabar]] (North Kerala)<ref>{{Cite book |last=Menon |first=Indudharan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xouADwAAQBAJ&dq=kalari+kurup+caste&pg=PT108 |title=Hereditary Physicians of Kerala: Traditional Medicine and Ayurveda in Modern India |date=2018-12-18 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-0-429-66312-3 |language=en}}</ref> and central parts of the Indian state of [[Kerala]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=Bahadur) |first=L. Krishna Anantha Krishna Iyer (Diwan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nPFWAAAAYAAJ&q=kalari+&pg=PA492 |title=The Cochin Tribes and Castes ... |date=1912 |publisher=government of Cochin |language=en}}</ref> They were known as the masters of [[Kalari]] tradition, having their ''Nalpatheeradi Kalari'' (a name derived from its area of 42 x 21 feet).{{cn|date=July 2024}} They are the people who propagated and practiced [[Kalaripayattu]], a martial art from Kerala.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvX4YwLqUBC2NUPs1mZbhKbP42N%2bXtmvwb%2bHm6V1GqYkr6sDSgvI%2fSb|title=National Commission for Backward Classes}}</ref>

''The titles Kurup and [[Panicker]] are prevalent in several other communities in Kerala, e.g. [[Kurup of Travancore|Nair Kurup]] and [[Panicker]] who belong to the Nair, Ezhava and even in Christian communities.''<ref name=":6" /> "Panicker" was often an honorary rank conferred by Kerala's kings to distinguished individuals and warrior families. They served as protectors and martial instructors, sometimes maintaining close ties with royal families. <ref name=":6" />

== History ==
[[File:Aloor Kalari, Thrissur.jpg|thumb|A present-day Kalari in Aloor, Thrissur, Kerala (Aloor Kalari)]]
Kalaris in Kerala were established during different periods of time. The formation of Kerala is interlinked to the story of [[Parashurama]]. It is believed that Parashurama established 108 kalaris across Kerala.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Keralolpathi (The origin of Malabar)}}</ref>{{full|date=July 2024}} Several kalaris were established during the reign of ''Kulasekharas''.<ref name=":1" /> 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 own Kings. During the ''Kulasekhara'' rule and later the kings of ''Nadus'' brought in warriors from [[Tulu Nadu]]. The [[Purananuru]] poems mentions about such warriors.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=K|first=Vijayakumar|title=Kalaripayattu - Keralathinte Shaktiyum Soundaryavum|pages=15, 48}}</ref>{{full|date=July 2024}} These warriors known as ''Nambi Kurup'' were helped by the kings to settle in Kerala by granting them land and wealth to maintain and upkeep kalaris.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Thampuran|first=Ramavarma Appan|title=Bhootharayar|pages=28}}</ref>{{full|date=July 2024}}They used the martial arts mastery of the ''Nambi Kurup'' to settle their disputes and hence, existence of kalaris became prevalent.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Prasad|first=S R D|title=Kalarippayattu Vignana Kosham (Encyclopedia)|pages=107, 111}}</ref>{{full|date=July 2024}}

Kalari Panicker or Kalari Kurup are descendants of those ''Aacharyas'' or masters migrated from Tulu Nadu.<ref name=":2" />

The community which based on its traditional occupation around [[Kalari]], were given the title ''Kurup'' or ''Panicker'' by the kings and villagers and later came to be known as Kalari Kurup or Kalari Panicker.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|last=Menon|first=K P Padmanabha|title=Kochi Rajya Charithram|pages=84}}</ref>{{full|date=July 2024}}

== Traditional occupations ==

Fencing masters from the Kalari Kurup / Kalari Panicker community historically taught [[Kalaripayattu]] to the Thiyya community in Kerala.<ref name="Kalari1">Literacy in Traditional Societies - Google Books
[https://books.google.com/books?id=B9SUyI-3tRwC&pg=PA149 in Traditional Societies-Google Books]</ref>{{full|date=July 2024}}

Following the recommendations of Lord Richards, the British Administration in 1804 abolished the practice of martial arts and using weaponry in Kerala.{{cn|date=July 2024}} As a result of this, ''Naalpatheeradi Kalaris'' were transformed into family temples. When the Kalari institutions were forcefully closed by the implementation of law, many Kalari masters adopted astrology as their occupation. Since then, the community has seen several scholars in astrology.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|last=Kurup|first=Mukundan|title=Kalariyum Kalariyadhiparum|pages=98,99,196}}</ref>{{full|date=July 2024}}

During Kalaripayattu training and during wars, Kalaris offered Kalari Marma treatment. ''Kalari Gurukkal'' (Kalari Masters) were specially trained in administering these traditional treatments. They were also identified for their proficiency in ayurvedic medicines.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xouADwAAQBAJ&pg=PT108|title=Hereditary Physicians of Kerala|last=Menon|first=Indudharan|date=18 December 2018|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9780429663123}}</ref>{{full|date=July 2024}}

More complex forms of marma treatment which give agility, flexibility and suppleness of the body through massage or ''Uzhichil'' were performed by the masters.<ref name=":0" />

[[File:Engandiyur Kalari.jpg|thumb|Pooja of books during Saraswathi pooja at Engandiyur Kalari, Thrissur, Kerala]]
Masters from the Kalari Panicker community were also involved in providing preliminary education (reading and writing) to their students.<ref name=":0" />

== Dwelling ==
The Masters of ''Naalpatheeradi Kalari'' registered their presence in Kerala and were present at geographical limits between south of [[Korapuzha]] and north of Aluva Puzha (Tributary of [[Periyar (river)|Periyar]] river) comprising the [[South Malabar]] area, the present Palakkad, Thrissur and some parts of [[Ernakulam district]] coming under the Cochin Province.<ref name=":7">{{Cite book|last=Kurup|first=Mukundan|title=Kerala Charithram|pages=61–62}}</ref>

== Culture ==

=== Customs and Tradition ===
The customs and religious traditions followed throughout the length and breadth of Kerala is similar in nature and derives its base from the Arya-Dravida culture and religious traditions. The Kalaris were a unification of temple of worship and ground for training in martial arts. The structure and design of Kalari and the ''Devi'' or Goddess deities of the Temple is an indication of the Arya-Dravida influence in their tradition.<ref name=":8">{{Cite book|last=K K|first=Bhaskaran|title=Attu Poya Kannikal|pages=32–48}}</ref>

Masters from Kalari Panicker community usually established their Kalari near the south west corner of their residence (''Tharavadu''). The Kalari typically has idols of Kalari Gods - the deities of War and the idols of great forefathers and ''Aacharyas''. Inside the Kalari premises a separate premise is designated to pay respects and prayers to the forefathers and the founders of the Kalari. This method of making idols of forefathers (founders of the Kalaris) as ''Guru Tharas'' is unique and makes this community distinct from most other castes in India.<ref name=":8" />

=== Attire ===
Dressing style adopted by Kalari Panicker community was similar to that of the Nair in the Society. They used to wear ''mundu,'' a piece of white long cloth, fastened to their waist and also used to wear ''Randam Mundu,'' a similar small cloth which is folded neatly and put on the shoulder. They used to put sandal paste on the forehead, tighten their lengthy hair to a ''Kuduma'' and welcome the mornings with devotional [[Sanskrit]] chants. There was a society-imposed restriction that people of lower castes were not allowed to adorn or carry an umbrella made of palm leaves while on a journey. Since Kalari Panicker were masters to ''Savarna'' or upper castes, they were allowed to use the palm leaves' umbrellas.<ref name=":3" />

== Social status ==
The community is listed under the Other Class as published by the Government of Kerala.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=https://www.keralapsc.gov.in/list-scheduled-castes-kerala-state|title=Kerala Public Service Commission - List of other backward classes}}</ref>

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:Social groups of Kerala]]
[[Category:Other Backward Classes]]
[[Category:Indian castes]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in India]]

Kalari Panicker - Revision history

Nasimahamad.vitaniya at 22:13, 20 March 2026