The surname Panicker(पणिक्कर) is used by many communities today. Kiriyathil and Illathu Nair-Panickers are not related to other Panickers in any way. Kiriyathil and Illathu Nair-Panickers were the teachers of Kalarippayattu and suicide squads of Kings. Some non-Nair people who too keep the surname Panicker have created some false stories related to Kalaris. These stories have no historical evidence.
My maternal grandmother's maternal grandfather was a Nair-Panicker. My maternal grandmother had four sisters. All four of them were elder than her. Her fourth sister's husband was also a Nair-Panicker.
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(Lancer) and Palapanikkan(Spearman, guardian) both have military connotations and possible Kerala roots (Panikkan or Master is a Malayali honorific)."
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."
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(Lancer) and Palapanikkan(Spearman, guardian) both have military connotations and possible Kerala roots (Panikkan or Master is a Malayali honorific)."
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. Kalarippayattu experts beloged to Kiriyathil and Illathu Nair castes. The 'Nair' who had charge of a particular Kalari or group of Kalaris for the training and upbringing of warriors were called the Gurukkal(meaning teacher or instructor) of the Kalari or Kalaris."
Shri.Putumanna Kantur Menon is mentioned as one of the Chaver(suicide squads) 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. As far as I have seen, its 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. The caste Kalari Kurup/Kalari Panicker was formed in the 18th century and they are not related to Kiriyathil and Illathu Nairs castes. There is no mention about castes called Kalari Kurup and Kalari Panicker in Keralolpaththi and Kerala Mahathyam.
Some data were collected from Martial Arts of the World: Encyclopedia by Thomas A. Green, Kalarippayattu: the ancient martial art of Kerala by Shri.P.I.Balakrishnan and A handbook of Kerala, Volume 1 by T. Madhava Menon, International School of Dravidian Linguistics
