The character of Atikaya is found in the Kannada Torave Ramayana but not in Valmiki Ramayana. Torave Ramayana was written by Kumara Valmiki in the 14th century CE. Atikaya was a demon and general in the army of Ravana. But he was also an ardent devotee of Bhagavan Sri Rama.
Atikaya is a Vira Vaishnava, patriot and a devotee of Rama. For him, the battlefield looks like ‘swayamvara mandapa (marriage platform) of Muktisari (liberation). These deviations, perhaps, are due to the influence of Adhyatma Ramayana and Ananda Ramayana. To the poet, the incarnation of Sri Rama was meant for the purification of all lives.
Atikaya knew the greatness of Bhagavan Sri Rama. He knew Rama was Bhagavan incarnate. But still he went to fight Rama to please Ravana. The sole aim of Atikaya was to get killed at the hands of Rama so that he can achieve moksha or liberation.