In News: Recently-released Malayalam film Pathonpatham Noottandu (‘Nineteenth Century’) is based on the life of Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker and on the stories of Nangeli and Kayamkulam Kochunni – associated with social reform in 19th-century Kerala which led to the large-scale subversion of the existing caste hierarchy and social order in the state.
About Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker:
Contribution of Panicker:
| 1858 | Achippudava Samaram strike | to earn women belonging to oppressed groups the right to wear a lower garment that extended beyond the knees |
| 1859 | Ethappu Samaram | the struggle for the right to wear an upper body cloth by women belonging to backward castes |
| 1860 | Mukkuthi Samaram | rights of lower-caste women to wear ‘mukkuthi’ or nose-ring, and other gold ornaments that helped in challenging the social order and in raising the dignity of women belonging to the lower strata of society in public life |
| Karshaka Thozhilali Samaram | first-ever strike by agricultural labourers in Kerala – successful | |
| 1861 | Kathakali Yogam | First area-based schools for the classical dance form Kathakali for the Ezhava community |
Post Death Recognition:
Miscellaneous:
Source: Indian Express
