Ithikkara Pakki (or Ithikkara Pakky / Ethikkara Pakki / Ethikkara Pakky) was an Indian
outlaw
An outlaw, in its original and legal meaning, is a person declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, all legal protection was withdrawn from the criminal, so that anyone was legally empowered to persecute or kill them ...
who lived in the
Travancore Kingdom in the 19th century. He is said to have plundered from the rich and distributed to the poor. Pakki, whose real name was Muhammad Abdul Khader, hails from
Ithikkara
Ithikkara is a scenic place in Kollam district, Kerala, India about 13 km from Kollam city. It received its name from Ithikkara River.
Ithikkara has the strong connection with the legend of Ithikkara Pakki, well known for his feats as a ...
village. He is said to have moved as swiftly as a bird or butterfly, meaning ''Pakki'' in
Malayalam, hence he was known by the name Ithikkara Pakki.
Legends on him are part of the
folklore of
Kerala where he is represented as a heroic outlaw. Stories about him often include his friend and fellow bandit
Kayamkulam Kochunni. Ithikkara Pakki is depicted in various films, television and literature.
History
Pakki was born to a fisherman, in
Umayanalloor
Umayanaloor is a village near Mayyanad in the Kollam District, Kerala, located near the western coast of the southern tip of India.
Overview
Umayanalloor is a village in the Mayyanad panchayat, and is situated in the South Kerala Division. I ...
,
Kollam
Kollam (), also known by its former name Quilon , is an ancient seaport and city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. The city i ...
in
Kingdom of Travancore (present-day
Kerala),
British India. He was raised in
Ithikkara
Ithikkara is a scenic place in Kollam district, Kerala, India about 13 km from Kollam city. It received its name from Ithikkara River.
Ithikkara has the strong connection with the legend of Ithikkara Pakki, well known for his feats as a ...
village on the shore of
Ithikkara River
Ithikkara River is a 56 km long river in Kerala, India. It originates in the Kulathupuzha in the Western Ghats and flows through the Kollam district, finally emptying into Paravur Lake. The village of Ithikkara is located on the river, 15&n ...
. He was skilled in water sports from childhood and is said to have saved many from drowning. Pakki began stealing due to the prevailing social structure, as the country was under British rule. Farmers and the lower class were treated poorly. They were discriminated against, denied rightful wages and paid high taxes, levied by the landlords and ruling officials. Pakki stole from them and gave to the poor. It is said that the police never captured him. Pakki died of
cancer at age 45. His remains were buried at the Kottumpuram
Juma Masjid
A congregational mosque or Friday mosque (, ''masjid jāmi‘'', or simply: , ''jāmi‘''; ), or sometimes great mosque or grand mosque (, ''jāmi‘ kabir''; ), is a mosque for hosting the Friday noon prayers known as '' jumu'ah''.*
*
*
*
*
*
...
in
Mylakkadu,
Kollam district.
Pop culture
*''
Vellayani Paramu'', a 1979
Malayalam film,
M. G. Soman portrayed Pakki.
* Pakki was a character in the TV serial ''Kayamkulam Kochunni'' aired on
Surya TV.
* ''Ithikkara Pakki'', a graphic children's story book was published in April 2010.
* Pakki was portrayed by
Mohanlal in the 2018 Malayalam film ''
Kayamkulam Kochunni''.
*TV series of the same title was aired on Surya TV in 2020.
See also
*
Robin Hood
*
Kayamkulam Kochunni
*
Mulamoottil Adima
*
Vellayani Paramu
*
Jambulingam Nadar
Jambulingam Nadar was a notorious brigand of the southern Madras Presidency in the early 20th century. He was shot to death by the police on 20 March 1923.
History
Born in Vadalivilai , Tirunelveli district of the state of modern Madras Pres ...
References
{{Reflist
Indian outlaws
Indian robbers
People from the Kingdom of Travancore
Kerala folklore
Indian highwaymen
Indian Muslims