Unniyarcha (ഉണ്ണിയാർച്ച, Malayalam pronunciation: [uɳːijäːr̩t͡ʃɐ]) is a legendary warrior and heroine from the 16th century, mentioned in the Vadakkan Pattukal, a set of historical ballads from northern Kerala, a state in southwestern India. She was a member of a Thiyyar community family called Puthooram Veed in Kadathanad.[1] Her father's name was Kannappa Chekavar.[2] She is believed to have lived in the northern part of Kerala during the 16th century. She is a popular character in Kerala's folklore and is remembered for her valour and skills in Kerala's native martial art, Kalaripayattu. According to legend, Unniyarcha was mostly known for her deadly skill with the whip-like urumi, a unique type of sword that originates from Kerala. Like most traditional Kalaripayattu practitioners, she began training at the kalari at the age of seven.[1]
There are so many such instances in Vatakkan Pattukal where the warrior heroes or heroines of the stories would win or lose in some of the famous duels of Kalaripayattu. Among these instances, the fight between Unniyarcha and several men with an urumi (specially used for Kalarippayattu) to safeguard herself and her husband from a planned attack by some thieves is very popular.[3]
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