Illathu Nair
Encyclopedia
Illathu Nair is one of the subcastes of the Nair
community among Keralites. They are mostly found in the Travancore
and Cochin areas. Illathu Nairs were considered highest in the Nair hierarchy in Travancore. Purification rites by the Maaran
s and priestly service from the Elayatus distinguished the Illathu Nairs. They were mostly aristocrats and soldiers although after the 18th century, some of them became agriculturists.
s like Maaran
s were considered inferior to them. Intermarriages with lower ranking Swaroopathil Nair
s and Itasseri Nair
s were quite rare. Due to their close association with Nambuthiri Illams, Illathu Nairs are prohibited from consuming fish, flesh and liquor.
. The Sripadam clan contest this as they were conferred higher rank by Rani Parvathi Bai of Travancore. A subsection of Illakkar, known as Naaluveetans, are known for their similarity with Kiryathils
.
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
community among Keralites. They are mostly found in the Travancore
Travancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
and Cochin areas. Illathu Nairs were considered highest in the Nair hierarchy in Travancore. Purification rites by the Maaran
Maaran
Maaran is the name given to the temple musicians of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar in the state of Kerala, India whose primary duty was to provide the traditional temple Sopanam music. Their position in the caste system varies from place to place in Kerala...
s and priestly service from the Elayatus distinguished the Illathu Nairs. They were mostly aristocrats and soldiers although after the 18th century, some of them became agriculturists.
Prominent personalities
Members belonging to the prominent families of Illathu Nairs were the prime ministers and commanders-in-chief of the armies of the kingdoms of Venad (Travancore), Kayamkulam, Pandalam. Thekkumkoor and Vadakkumkoor. Iravikkutty Pillai Padathalavar, Ettu Veettil Pillaimar, Azhakathu Kurup, Mathoor Panikkar, Raja Kesava Das, and Velu Thampi Dalawa belonged to this group.Demographics
According to the 1891 Census, Illathu Nairs composed around 35.7% of the total Nair population.Caste status
The absence of higher ranking Brahmins in South Travancore meant that Illathu Nairs were the top most ranking caste in most of the areas, as Kerala Iyers and AmbalavasiAmbalavasi
Ambalavasi is a generic name for a collection of castes among Hindus in Kerala who render temple services.-Etymology:The term Ambalavasi is derived from two Malayalam words, being Ambalam and Vasi...
s like Maaran
Maaran
Maaran is the name given to the temple musicians of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar in the state of Kerala, India whose primary duty was to provide the traditional temple Sopanam music. Their position in the caste system varies from place to place in Kerala...
s were considered inferior to them. Intermarriages with lower ranking Swaroopathil Nair
Swaroopathil Nair
Swaroopathil Nairs or Charna Nairs were one of the subcastes belonging to the Nair community in Kerala. They were warriors of Samanta Kshatriya Royal Households known as Swaroopams. This subcaste is found only in Travancore...
s and Itasseri Nair
Itasseri Nair
Itasseri Nairs or Itacheri Nairs were one of the subcastes belonging to the Nair community in Kerala. They used to be gentry, feudal lords, administrators or owners of temples and even vendors of milk, butter and curd....
s were quite rare. Due to their close association with Nambuthiri Illams, Illathu Nairs are prohibited from consuming fish, flesh and liquor.
Subdivisions
The major clans among the Illathu Nair caste are Azhvancheri, Pattazhi, Sripadam, Kumaranallur, Kollur, Netuvazhi and Tennur. Of these clans, those belonging to Pattazhi clan are considered to be the highest in rank, as they are thought to be favoured by the local goddess, Mannati Bhagavathi of Pattazhi desam in PathanapuramPathanapuram
Pathanapuram is an administrative division situated in the Western Ghats in the Kollam District of Kerala state of India. It is about 13 km from industrial town Punalur...
. The Sripadam clan contest this as they were conferred higher rank by Rani Parvathi Bai of Travancore. A subsection of Illakkar, known as Naaluveetans, are known for their similarity with Kiryathils
Kiryathil Nair
Kiryathil Nair or Kiriyathil Nair is a subcaste of the Nair community who traditionally lived in the region now known as Kerala, India. The 17th century Keralolpathi states them to be descendants of warrior Nāga tribes who came to Kerala from the north along the western coast...
.