The Celebrating Panicker:
Derived from Sanskrit 'Parinayaka' meaning 'captain of warriors', ours is a common surname among several communities in Kerala. Originally, our title was conferred on Kalari teachers in Kerala, especially among the Nairs and Ezhavas. The Maharajah of Travancore bestowed our title on members of the Hindu and Christian communities, who excelled in martial arts. So Panicker is a common surname shared by Hindu Nair and Ezhava families as well as Syrian Catholic, Orthodox and Marthoma Church communities.