Thamme HistoryOrigin of Dharmoth Panicker
History is traced back to 500 years to Karnataka when a master (warrior) named Thamman came to Zamorin of Calicut from Kallumthali of Canara (Karnataka State). Zamorin saw his ayodhana vidya and appointed as a teacher (Guru to the Zamorin of Calicut) and later he became the patanayaka of Zamorin. The house and things related to Thamman is later called Thammoth or in modified form as Dharmoth. I am including an historical evidence which is published in the daily, The Madras Mail dated 10th July, 1911 as an evidence of the origin of our family (This evidence is given to me by Late. Sri. Vappala Gopalankutty Menon, S/o. Late. Sri. P.K. Panicker, Kizhakkekkalam, Kulakkad) : "DHARMOTH PANICKER - A MALABAR CELEBRITY" "The origin of the family was interesting. In the "Keralolpathy" (Origin of Kerala) there is a passage to the effect that Sri. Parasurama who reclaimed Kerala from the sea established 100 places of 40 feet square and each in these places he placed an image of the Gods who preside over the arms and arts and then lamps were obtained and pooja (worship) was performed. These places are called "Kalaris" (fensing schools) and where indented for the purpose of training the young men of Kerala in the art of fensing. In Jhonston's "Relations of the most famous kingdoms in the world" (1611) there occurs the following passage :- " It is strange to see how ready the soldier of this country is at his weapons; they are all gentlemen and termed Nairos, at seven years of age they are put to school to learn the use of their weapons were to make them nimble and active, their sinews and joints were stretched by skilful fellows and anointed with oyle sesamos." The school above referred to is the Kalari and two such Kalaris by name Mullathavazhi and Kallunthali existed in the ancient days of Perumals, were and which is now known as Canara. The master of Kallunthali Kalari was a person called Thamman, who on hearing of the Zamorin's feats of arms, travelled by sea to calicut and stayed with Kozhikot Nair (the Nair of Calicut) one of the leaders of the Zamorin's troupe. The host asked if Thamman wished to pay his respects to the King, and on his answering in the affirmative, took him to the palace, then situated in Kottaparamba, near the tank now known as the Dhobi's Tank. The Zamorin's fencing master at that time was "Vettunkal Panicker" and when the Zamorin found that Thamman was an adept in the use of weapons, he asked him if he would meet the Panicker went upstairs in single combat, Thamman accepted the challenge, and Vettunkal Panicker went upstairs to dress in military style. Thamman had come in his usual dress, and taking his sword sheild, stood ready in the yard with his falchion in the right hand, his shield in the left and wholly covering his person. The posture in which he stood was so scientific that Vettunkal Panicker, who noticed it from his room upstairs thought prudence the better part of velour and slipped out of his palace unperceived. His appointment was then conferred on Thamman and he was then known as Thamma Panicker and as the fencing master is the Zamorin's preceptor in the use of weapons, he became a member of his cabinet, the three remaining members being Mangat Achan, Thinencheri Elayad and Malappurath Paranambi. Thamma Panicker brought his family into Calicut and settled down a Kalari being built there. Subsequently however, he removed his Tharavad (family house) to Pallippuram, were his Kalari still stands. This is 42 feet square and in it are the images of Gods and Goddesses who patronise the profession of arms. In the middle are Siva, Parvathi and eighteen Bhutams (Demons). All around are 23 images representing of Siva and Parvathi in different aspects and under different names. The Puja is still continued and during Duserah special prayers are offered for success in the profession of arms. In pre-British days Dharmothu Panicker trained the princes of Zamorin's house in the use of wepons, accompanied the Zamorin during the war, was the Minister for war who controlled the army regime. His special protection was sought by some of the cheiftains of the country, and the tradition runs that his gates were always left open so that any one may freely enter, as his house was a sanctuary and no one dared interfere with his persons and have taken refuge there. And even now when a Zamorin dies and is succeeded by another, he has on his installation, or shall I say coronation, to receive the sword from the hands of Dharmoth Panicker. No doubt, he must have been rather a trouble some party to tackle, and the Dutch Commander found him a "firebrand". His family name Dharmoth, Europeanized into D'Hermuta, is significant. It is an abbreviation of Dharmagunath (Dharma-gunam = Righteouness) indicating that he was chivalrous and fair in fight. Dharmoth Panicker's family house is situated in Walluvanad Taluq. They own extensive landed property, belong to the aristocracy of Malabar and are respected by the inhabitants of the country. The junior members are now awaiting themselves on the advantages of English education and are rising in the legal profession in the same manner in which their ancestors rose in the professions of arms, the first Master of Laws from Malabar being of the historic family. (Published in the Madras Mail, 1911) |