Nambiar (Nair subcaste)
Encyclopedia
Nambiār, alternatively spelled Nambiyār -the royal family - is a honorific title dignifying certain endogamous royal clans in the North Malabar
region, defined as north of the Korapuzha
river, of Kerala
. They, Nambiars of North Kerala are commonly referred as either Kshatriya
Nambiar or Nair
Nambiar, in order to distinguish from the Ambalavasi
Brahmin
caste in Central & South Kerala of the same name.
Men of this clan affix Nambiār as their caste
name. Nambiārs were Kings, Sāmantans and Nāduvazhi
(chiefs of fiefdoms and leaders of militias) and Jenmi
mar (landed gentry). Kolathiri
, the Rājā
of Kadathanādu
, Randuthara Achanmār (chiefs of Poyanādu),"Chulali Swarupam" ( descendents of last perumal) and the Iruvalinādu Nambiyārs (chiefs of Iruvalinādu) belonged to this clan. The largest landlords of Malabar
belonged to the Nambiar clan.
However, after Hyder Ali's invasion of Malabar in 1766, Nambiar clans were engaged in frequent guerrilla warfare with Mysorean troops as well as with Mappila troops of their ally Ali Rajah of Cannanore, who was gifted kingdom of Kolathiri. For 23 years, from 1766 to 1789, Hyder Ali and Tippoo Sultan fought and allied with Nambiar clans - independent chiefs of Randathara and Iruvazhinad and Eastern Chirakkal had their own agendas whereas Nambiars of Kadathanad, Kottayam, Chirakkal and Nileshwaram followed orders of their Rajahs. Also taking into account the immense power held by Nambiars in Northern Malabar, tax officials of Mysore government introduced Zamindari system of revenue settlement in North Malabar in contrast to Ryotwari system of tax collection of Southern Malabar.
But by 1789, all of Nambiar clans joined the mass uprising that spanned over Malabar as a response to the forcible conversion attempt of Tippoo Sultan and in 1790-91 period their help proved crucial for British victories at Katirur and Cannanore. In the turbulent 14 years that followed British seizure of Malabar in 1792, Nambiars played a crucial role in the turbulence that followed British attempt to establish their rule. From 1792 till 1798, Nambiars like rest of Nayar clans in Malabar kept up their low intensity resistance to British rule in North Malabar but in Kottayam, they joined ranks of Pazhassi Raja's armies and took part in his bloody decade long guerrilla warfare with British. Kaitheri Ambu and Kannavath Sankaran
, famed partisans of Pazhassi Raja belonged to Nambiar stock.
Despite loss of their military power following British annexation of Malabar in 1800, Nambiars, retained their land and social status till middle of twentieth century when they lost much of their social prestige and influence after Government of Kerala enacted Land Reforms Ordinance in 1960's.
Nambiārs like other Nāyars in north Malabār, until the early twentieth century held a prejudice that they were superior to their counterparts in South Malabar. In earlier days, Nambiār women, like most women of Nāyar clans of north Malabar would not unite herself to Nāyar men of South Malabar, nor to Nāyarr men from central and south Kerala. Therefore such superior-clan Nāyar woman of North Malabār (Nambiār women being no exception), could not pass the hills to the eastward and the Korapuzha
to the south. It was a taboo and breach of which involved forfeiture of caste
However in the early twentieth century, wives of government employees (stationed outside north Malabār) began to accompany their husbands and such customs and prejudices died out in due course.
Prominent families among Nambiārs claiming superior rank to the bulk also enjoyed ritualistic rights as ũrālar and constituted the village/desom assemblies and temple committees of Malabār, which were rural agrarian corporations in character, and enjoyed partial autonomy and took part in local administration as urban guilds/corporations. The term ũr means village and ũrālan (ũrālar, if joint partnership) means master (masters) or proprietor in these villages. Nambiār men were addressed with an honorary suffix of Eshmanan
('Master' in old Malayalam) and the women were addressed with a suffix of Kovilamma(sometimes kol) or Amma to their names , in the past by castes lower to them in hierarchy. The eldest male member was addressed suffixing Achan or Eshamanan to the family name.
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(Matrilineal) system of inheritance with both uxorilocal and virilocal marriages and lived in units called Tharavadu
s (matrilineal joint-family). General Nair customs and practices like pulikudi, irupethiettu, choroonu, Kāthukuthu, Vidyārambham, Tālikettu, Thirandukalyānam and Sambandham
(was referred to as pudamuri among Nambiārs) were practiced. After pudamuri in south Malabar the girl or woman never lived in her husband's house; she lived on in her own Tharavadu house and was there visited by her husband (uxorilocal). In contrast, in north Malabar, she lived in the house with her husband (virilocal) however when her husband dies, she must leave his house and return to her own at once, before his body is carried out. Though Nāyar women were permitted to practice polyandry, according to the Kerala Māhātmyam the women in north Malabar (should) live with but one man at a time. The tāli-kettu for Nambiār women were generally performed by Nambũdiri men and post death ceremonies required priests from a class of Brahmnins called Elayatu. However in the Kadathanadu
lineage, which once owed fealty to Kolathiri
as an ordinary chiefly lineage, the tāli rite was performed by Kolathiri princes.
Nambiārs take part in extensive Serpent
/ (Nāga
), Vettakkorumakan and Daivathar worship along with the worship of Shiva
, Durga
and Vishnu
as their clan-deities (Kula Daivam).
. While he was going to ascend "Sarwanjha Peedam" (throne of knowledge) Shiva intervened, disguised as a pulayan, with the intention to further test his knowledge. Siva came as 'Pulapottan', accompanied by 'Pulachāmundi' (Pārvathy in disguise) and, 'Pulamaruthan' (his minister Nadikesan). Shankaracharya asked them to go away as he did not want to be polluted by coming near to members of the lower caste. Then 'Pottan', who was Siva in disguise, engaged Shankaracharya in a series of arguments in which the former exposes the hollowness of caste system which divides the humanity into irrational fragments. "These arguments are ideated in "thottam" " that are verses pregnant with meanings."It is blood that flows through our veins (though I am a Pulaya); It is rice harvested from my dirty fields that is served as food for you"-the arguments of Siva in disguise goes. These statements made shankaracharya realize his prejudices and is enacted in this theyyam. During this performance by using different masks one after another the same performer acts the role of these different deities. There is also another myth that elders in Pulingome, near Payyannur in Kannur
about the origin of 'Pottan Theyyam'. According to that story one wise man belonging to Pulaya community entered into argument with Shankaracharya about untouchability and the pollution caused by lower caste. After the departure of Shankaryacharya from the scene his disciples killed him and put in pyre. Later this Pulaya got transformed into 'Pottan Theyyam' and was worshipped in repentance for the sin performed by killing him. The nearly five-hour long performance of Theyyam begins with 'Thottam Pattu". It is followed by the appearance of the performer as "Pulamaruthan", " Pulapottan" and "Pulachamundi" theyyam
s in that order . The most breath-taking part of the performance is "Pulapottan" lying over the burning embers ("meleri", heap of red hot embers ), which is what remains when the logs of tamarind
(Tamarindus indica) and jackfruit
(Artocarpus heterophyllus) trees burn.
– sweet cake made of rice powder, grated coconut and jaggery, covered with green leaves), cooling of Poorakkanji (raw rice prepared with grated coconut), send off ritual of Kāma, are performed exclusively by women.
A partial list is of notable Nambiars is given below:
North Malabar
North Malabar , is a historic as well as geographic distinction in India used to refer the area covering; present Kasaragod and Kannur Districts, Mananthavady taluk of Wayanad District and Koyilandy & Vatakara taluks of Kozhikode District in modern Kerala and the entire Mahé sub-Division of...
region, defined as north of the Korapuzha
Korapuzha
Korapuzha also known as Elathur River is a short river of , with a drainage area of , flowing through the Kozhikode district of Kerala state in India. It is formed by the confluence of two streams, Agalapuzha and Punnoorpuzha which originate in the mountains of Wayanad district. The Korapuzha...
river, of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. They, Nambiars of North Kerala are commonly referred as either Kshatriya
Kshatriya
*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
Nambiar or Nair
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...
Nambiar, in order to distinguish from the Ambalavasi
Ambalavasi
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...
Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
caste in Central & South Kerala of the same name.
Men of this clan affix Nambiār as their caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
name. Nambiārs were Kings, Sāmantans and Nāduvazhi
Naduvazhi
Naduvazhi refers to landlords, chieftains and descendants of royal households in Kerala, India.-Function:Prior to the British reorganisation of the area now known as Kerala, it was divided into around ten feudal states. Each of these was governed by a rajah and was subdivided into organisational...
(chiefs of fiefdoms and leaders of militias) and Jenmi
Jenmi
Jenmi is the term used to refer to the landlords of the Nair and Namboothiris castes from Kerala. In the past the majority, if not all the land was owned by these Jenmimar , and it was not unusual for an aristocratic family to own up to of land...
mar (landed gentry). Kolathiri
Kolathiri
Kolathiri or Kolathiri Rājā was the title by which the senior most male along the matilinial line of the Mushika or Kolathunādu Royal Family was styled...
, the Rājā
Raja
Raja is an Indian term for a monarch, or princely ruler of the Kshatriya varna...
of Kadathanādu
Kadathanadu
Kadathanadu was a former Nair Hindu feudatory city-state in present day Kerala state, South India, on the Malabar Coast famed for its anthology of heroic songs, folklores and ballads and for Kalarippayattu.-Geographical location:Geographically, Kadathanadu is part of North Malabar...
, Randuthara Achanmār (chiefs of Poyanādu),"Chulali Swarupam" ( descendents of last perumal) and the Iruvalinādu Nambiyārs (chiefs of Iruvalinādu) belonged to this clan. The largest landlords of Malabar
Malabar District
Malabar District was an administrative district of Madras Presidency in British India and independent India's Madras State. The British district included the present-day districts of Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad , and Chavakad Taluk of Thrissur District in the northern part of...
belonged to the Nambiar clan.
Etymology
In Malayālam the word "Nambuka" means "trust", hence the title of "Nambiār" is dignification meaning "those who are trusted" or the "royal family".Sthānam holders (dignities)
- Among the two highest classes are certain persons of superior dignity, called Nambirs [Nambiars]. They were originally the kings, head men of Desams, or villages. The Nambiārs (along with a few other select Nāyar clans of north Malabār like Kurup, Viyyur, Manavallan, Vengdian, Nellioden, Adungadi, Kitavu, Adiyodi, Amayengolam) are composed of or correspond to the Kiryathil NairKiryathil NairKiryathil 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...
clans of south Malabār. Nambiārs were among the largest landlords in Malabār between the 16th and 20th centuries. In KolathunāduKolathunaduKolathunādu was one of the three most powerful feudal kingdoms on the Malabar Coast during the arrival Portuguese Armadas to India along with Zamorin's Calicut and Venad. Kolathunād had its capital at Ezhimala and was ruled by Kolathiri royal family and roughly comprised the whole northern...
, feudatories of KolathiriKolathiriKolathiri or Kolathiri Rājā was the title by which the senior most male along the matilinial line of the Mushika or Kolathunādu Royal Family was styled...
were predominantly of the Nambiār clan, and exercised quasi-independent and possessed armies of their own. As learned and landed gentry, Nambiārs were extremely influential in the socio-political scene of north Malabar during this period.
However, after Hyder Ali's invasion of Malabar in 1766, Nambiar clans were engaged in frequent guerrilla warfare with Mysorean troops as well as with Mappila troops of their ally Ali Rajah of Cannanore, who was gifted kingdom of Kolathiri. For 23 years, from 1766 to 1789, Hyder Ali and Tippoo Sultan fought and allied with Nambiar clans - independent chiefs of Randathara and Iruvazhinad and Eastern Chirakkal had their own agendas whereas Nambiars of Kadathanad, Kottayam, Chirakkal and Nileshwaram followed orders of their Rajahs. Also taking into account the immense power held by Nambiars in Northern Malabar, tax officials of Mysore government introduced Zamindari system of revenue settlement in North Malabar in contrast to Ryotwari system of tax collection of Southern Malabar.
But by 1789, all of Nambiar clans joined the mass uprising that spanned over Malabar as a response to the forcible conversion attempt of Tippoo Sultan and in 1790-91 period their help proved crucial for British victories at Katirur and Cannanore. In the turbulent 14 years that followed British seizure of Malabar in 1792, Nambiars played a crucial role in the turbulence that followed British attempt to establish their rule. From 1792 till 1798, Nambiars like rest of Nayar clans in Malabar kept up their low intensity resistance to British rule in North Malabar but in Kottayam, they joined ranks of Pazhassi Raja's armies and took part in his bloody decade long guerrilla warfare with British. Kaitheri Ambu and Kannavath Sankaran
Kannavath Sankaran Nambiar
Kannavath Sankaran Nambiar [circa 1760 - November 27, 1801] was the prime minister or Sarvadikaryakar of Pazhassi Raja.Word "Kannavath" means that which is associated with Kannavam - Kannavam is name of a village which is located in Thalasseri taluk of Kannur district...
, famed partisans of Pazhassi Raja belonged to Nambiar stock.
Despite loss of their military power following British annexation of Malabar in 1800, Nambiars, retained their land and social status till middle of twentieth century when they lost much of their social prestige and influence after Government of Kerala enacted Land Reforms Ordinance in 1960's.
Nambiārs like other Nāyars in north Malabār, until the early twentieth century held a prejudice that they were superior to their counterparts in South Malabar. In earlier days, Nambiār women, like most women of Nāyar clans of north Malabar would not unite herself to Nāyar men of South Malabar, nor to Nāyarr men from central and south Kerala. Therefore such superior-clan Nāyar woman of North Malabār (Nambiār women being no exception), could not pass the hills to the eastward and the Korapuzha
Korapuzha
Korapuzha also known as Elathur River is a short river of , with a drainage area of , flowing through the Kozhikode district of Kerala state in India. It is formed by the confluence of two streams, Agalapuzha and Punnoorpuzha which originate in the mountains of Wayanad district. The Korapuzha...
to the south. It was a taboo and breach of which involved forfeiture of caste
However in the early twentieth century, wives of government employees (stationed outside north Malabār) began to accompany their husbands and such customs and prejudices died out in due course.
Prominent families among Nambiārs claiming superior rank to the bulk also enjoyed ritualistic rights as ũrālar and constituted the village/desom assemblies and temple committees of Malabār, which were rural agrarian corporations in character, and enjoyed partial autonomy and took part in local administration as urban guilds/corporations. The term ũr means village and ũrālan (ũrālar, if joint partnership) means master (masters) or proprietor in these villages. Nambiār men were addressed with an honorary suffix of Eshmanan
Eshmanan
Eshmanan corruption of Yajamaana is a term used in Kerala to refer to an individual of high social standing. The term means "lord" in Old Malayalam and referred to Chemb azhi nambi or Nambiars, Unnithans and other Samanthan Nair caste members who occupied the position of rulers and chieftains...
('Master' in old Malayalam) and the women were addressed with a suffix of Kovilamma(sometimes kol) or Amma to their names , in the past by castes lower to them in hierarchy. The eldest male member was addressed suffixing Achan or Eshamanan to the family name.
Nambiār lineages and origin
The chief lineages are as follows:| Nambiār lineages | |||
| Position | Conglomerates / families |
Origin /Description |
Appellation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nāduvāzhi | Vāzhunnore of Kadathanādu & Edachery Nambiars | Sāmantans/vassals to Kolaswarũpam/Chirakkal Raja Chirakkal Raja Chirakkal Raja is the title of the senior most king of the Chirakkal branch of the Palli division of the Kolathiri dynasty of the erstwhile feudal state of Kolathunadu in North Malabar, Kerala state, South India. Chirakkal Rajas and Kolathiris traces their ancestry back to the Mushika dynasty of... /Kolathiri Kolathiri Kolathiri or Kolathiri Rājā was the title by which the senior most male along the matilinial line of the Mushika or Kolathunādu Royal Family was styled... . |
Around 1750, the Vāzhunnore (ruler) of Kadathanādu' had adopted the title of Rājā, with the explicit consent of the Kolathiri. |
| Desavāzhi | Randu illom vargam' | Descendants of Mullapalli illom and Vellũr illom. They are a conglomerate of 9 Nambiār families and were granted chieftainship of Edakkād Edakkad Edakkad is one of the grama panchayats in Kannur District of Kerala state, in southern India.-History:Edakkad grama panchayat of Kannur in ancient times was referred to as Madhya-adavi . Similarly Eda means middle and kadu means forest... . These families were initially vested with the herditary trusteeship of ũrpazhachi temple by Mullapalli illom and Vellũr illom and administrative rights of Edakkād panchayat by explicit consent of the Prince with Koor-vazhcha (part-dominions) of the area formerly administered by the Kolathiri Kolathiri Kolathiri or Kolathiri Rājā was the title by which the senior most male along the matilinial line of the Mushika or Kolathunādu Royal Family was styled... family. |
The senior Nambiār of this family was styled Family name + Achan and all male members Kaikkor |
| Randu thara achanmār | Descendants of Eddathil Kadāngodan and Ponnattil Māvila. This is a conglomerate of 4 Nambiār families, were chieftains of Poyanādu. The senior Nambiār of this family was styled Achanand were sāmantans/vassals to Kolathiri. Poyanādu along with the temple of Chāla was portioned to Eddathil Kadāngodan and Ponnattil Māvila, the last aides of Cheraman Perumāl Cheraman Perumal Rama Varman Kulashekhara was the last King of the Later Chera Dynasty and the first ruler of the independent Venad state from 1102 A.D to 1122 A.D, according to the Rameswarathukoil Inscription. Kotha Varman Marthandam succeeded him as the ruler of Venad.-The end of the Chera dynasty:Rama Varman... before his final departure to Mecca Mecca Mecca is a city in the Hijaz and the capital of Makkah province in Saudi Arabia. The city is located inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of above sea level... . |
The senior Nambiār of this family was styled Achan. | |
| Iruvalinād Nambiārs | This is a conglomerate of 6 Nambiār families were chieftains of Iruvalinād. As on the division of Kerala by Cheraman Perumal Cheraman Perumal Rama Varman Kulashekhara was the last King of the Later Chera Dynasty and the first ruler of the independent Venad state from 1102 A.D to 1122 A.D, according to the Rameswarathukoil Inscription. Kotha Varman Marthandam succeeded him as the ruler of Venad.-The end of the Chera dynasty:Rama Varman... , iruvalinādu was vested in the families of Tekkādi Adiyodi and Vadakkādi Adiyodi and from them Nambiārs usurped small portions of the country till they took the whole. |
||
| Stānis of Payyanād | These include Pulliyāni Nambiārs , Orakatteri Nambiārs , Venmeri Nambiārs ,Punnan Nambiārs and Peruvānian Nambiārs .They are lineages with Nambiār title among the assembly (Kũttam) of the Rājā of Kurumbranād (Portion of Kurumbranād given by a Rājā of Kurumbranād to Ambādi Kovilagam Tamburātti -the stānam/title of the senior lady of the Zamorin Rājā's family). | The senior Nambiār of this family was styled Family name + Nambiar | |
| Thonder Nambiār | The son of Nelliote Thirumulpād and his descendants were granted chieftainship of Tondernād. His residence is styled Mel kotta (Upper Fort) and were sāmantans/vassals to Wayanād swarupam of Kottayam Rājā. Tondernād consisting of the amsam of that name was initially vested under Nelliote Thiru-mulpād, who granted it later to his son Thonder Nambiār. | The senior Nambiār of this family was styled Kovil. | |
| Vemom Nambiārs | Venom Nambiārs were placed under the direct control of the second Rājā of Kottayam > This family is known as Kārushor/Kāriya Purushanmār (men who administer the affairs) of Elankuttil Swarupam of Ellornād / Elankur-nād (country of the younger branch). |
||
| Jenmi | Nambiār Nayanārs | The families of Erambala, Varikkara and Vengayil were initially Nambiārs but were additionally dignified with the title Nayanār by an assembly of Chirakkal Rājā Chirakkal Raja Chirakkal Raja is the title of the senior most king of the Chirakkal branch of the Palli division of the Kolathiri dynasty of the erstwhile feudal state of Kolathunadu in North Malabar, Kerala state, South India. Chirakkal Rajas and Kolathiris traces their ancestry back to the Mushika dynasty of... . The Vengayil Nayanar family owned 200000 acres (809.4 km²) including forest lands. |
Nayanār. |
| Kalliat | They were one of the largest landlords of Malabar and owned 36779 acres (148.8 km²) of land. | The senior Nambiār of this family was styled Kalliat Eshamanan. | |
| Koodali | They claim swarũpam status | The senior Nambiār of this family was styled Koodali Eshamanan([2010~] K.T. Narendran Nambiar) | |
Customs and practices
Nambiārs followed the MarumakkathayamMarumakkathayam
Marumakkathayam is a matrilinear system of inheritance which was followed by all Nair castes including of Royal Families, some of the Ambalavasis, Arayars, Ezhava, some tribal groups and Mappilas in North Malabar of Kerala state, South India. Unlike other Brahmin families, Payanoor Nambootiris...
(Matrilineal) system of inheritance with both uxorilocal and virilocal marriages and lived in units called Tharavadu
Tharavadu
Tharavad is a system of joint family practised by people in Kerala, especially Nairs. Tharavadu was a legal entity like a Hindu Undivided Family as per Indian Income Tax laws, and was entitled to own properties. The others, like Namboothriris, Ezhavas, Christians and Muslims also now refer to...
s (matrilineal joint-family). General Nair customs and practices like pulikudi, irupethiettu, choroonu, Kāthukuthu, Vidyārambham, Tālikettu, Thirandukalyānam and Sambandham
Sambandham
Sambandham was a form of marital system primarily followed by the Nairs in what is the present-day Indian state of Kerala. This system of marriage was followed by the matriarchal castes of Kerala, though today the custom has ceased to exist...
(was referred to as pudamuri among Nambiārs) were practiced. After pudamuri in south Malabar the girl or woman never lived in her husband's house; she lived on in her own Tharavadu house and was there visited by her husband (uxorilocal). In contrast, in north Malabar, she lived in the house with her husband (virilocal) however when her husband dies, she must leave his house and return to her own at once, before his body is carried out. Though Nāyar women were permitted to practice polyandry, according to the Kerala Māhātmyam the women in north Malabar (should) live with but one man at a time. The tāli-kettu for Nambiār women were generally performed by Nambũdiri men and post death ceremonies required priests from a class of Brahmnins called Elayatu. However in the Kadathanadu
Kadathanadu
Kadathanadu was a former Nair Hindu feudatory city-state in present day Kerala state, South India, on the Malabar Coast famed for its anthology of heroic songs, folklores and ballads and for Kalarippayattu.-Geographical location:Geographically, Kadathanadu is part of North Malabar...
lineage, which once owed fealty to Kolathiri
Kolathiri
Kolathiri or Kolathiri Rājā was the title by which the senior most male along the matilinial line of the Mushika or Kolathunādu Royal Family was styled...
as an ordinary chiefly lineage, the tāli rite was performed by Kolathiri princes.
Nambiārs take part in extensive Serpent
Serpent (symbolism)
Serpent in Latin means: Rory Collins :&, in turn, from the Biblical Hebrew word of: "saraf" with root letters of: which refers to something burning-as, the pain of poisonous snake's bite was likened to internal burning.This word is commonly used in a specifically mythic or religious context,...
/ (Nāga
Naga
Naga or NAGA may refer to:* Nāga, a group of serpent deities in Hindu and Buddhist mythology.-People:* Nayan / Nayar/Nair people of Kerala Society* Naga people, a diverse ethnic identity in Northeast India...
), Vettakkorumakan and Daivathar worship along with the worship of Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
, Durga
Durga
For the 1985 Hindi Film of Rajesh Khanna see DurgaaIn Hinduism, Durga ; ; meaning "the inaccessible" or "the invincible"; , durga) or Maa Durga "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eighteen arms, riding a lion...
and Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
as their clan-deities (Kula Daivam).
Pottan Theyyam
Pottan theyyam worship is popular among Nambiārs and other nāyars of Malabar. The tradition behind Pottan theyyam is related to Sree ShankaracharyaShankaracharya
Shankaracharya, is a commonly used title of heads of mathas in the Advaita Vedanta tradition. The title derives from Adi Shankara, a 9th century CE reformer of Hinduism. He is honored as Jagadguru, a title that was used earlier only to Lord Krishna...
. While he was going to ascend "Sarwanjha Peedam" (throne of knowledge) Shiva intervened, disguised as a pulayan, with the intention to further test his knowledge. Siva came as 'Pulapottan', accompanied by 'Pulachāmundi' (Pārvathy in disguise) and, 'Pulamaruthan' (his minister Nadikesan). Shankaracharya asked them to go away as he did not want to be polluted by coming near to members of the lower caste. Then 'Pottan', who was Siva in disguise, engaged Shankaracharya in a series of arguments in which the former exposes the hollowness of caste system which divides the humanity into irrational fragments. "These arguments are ideated in "thottam" " that are verses pregnant with meanings."It is blood that flows through our veins (though I am a Pulaya); It is rice harvested from my dirty fields that is served as food for you"-the arguments of Siva in disguise goes. These statements made shankaracharya realize his prejudices and is enacted in this theyyam. During this performance by using different masks one after another the same performer acts the role of these different deities. There is also another myth that elders in Pulingome, near Payyannur in Kannur
Kannur
Kannur , also known as Cannanore, is a city in Kannur district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the administrative headquarters of the District of Kannur and 518km north of state capital Trivandrum. During British rule in India, Kannur was known by its old name Cannanore, which is still in...
about the origin of 'Pottan Theyyam'. According to that story one wise man belonging to Pulaya community entered into argument with Shankaracharya about untouchability and the pollution caused by lower caste. After the departure of Shankaryacharya from the scene his disciples killed him and put in pyre. Later this Pulaya got transformed into 'Pottan Theyyam' and was worshipped in repentance for the sin performed by killing him. The nearly five-hour long performance of Theyyam begins with 'Thottam Pattu". It is followed by the appearance of the performer as "Pulamaruthan", " Pulapottan" and "Pulachamundi" theyyam
Theyyam
Theyyam or Theyyattam or Thira is a popular Hindu ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala state, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu area Theyyam or Theyyattam or Thira is a popular Hindu ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala state, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu...
s in that order . The most breath-taking part of the performance is "Pulapottan" lying over the burning embers ("meleri", heap of red hot embers ), which is what remains when the logs of tamarind
Tamarind
Tamarind is a tree in the family Fabaceae. The genus Tamarindus is monotypic .-Origin:...
(Tamarindus indica) and jackfruit
Jackfruit
The jackfruit is a species of tree in the Artocarpus genus of the mulberry family . It is native to parts of Southern and Southeast Asia. It is the national fruit of Bangladesh, . The jackfruit tree is believed to be indigenous to the southwestern rain forests of India...
(Artocarpus heterophyllus) trees burn.
Kadāngot Mākkam
Mākkam is an important theyyam worshipped by the Nambiārs. Mākkam represents the only case of a “sainted” women belonging to the nāyars of Malabar . The Mākkam theyyam is performed at the Kadāngot tharavadu in Kunhimangalam (Payyannur).The legend is that Mākkam was falsely maligned for having an affair with an vāniyan and her brothers under the influence of their wives (who were jealous of Mākkam's beauty and position in the Tharavādu) murdered Mākkam and her children. The Mākkam theyyam is in repentance of this.The festival of Theyyam is celebrated at Tharavādu every year in date of Khumbam 10-11 (in the month of Feb-March).Pooram (spring festival)
Pooram is an important festival for women of Nambiār households. In north Malabar, (the erstwhile Kolathunādu), Poorolsavam (Pooram) is a spring festival, observed by women and girls for fertility. The girls and virgins observe pooram for getting appropriate husbands while married women perform this ritual for the longevity of their husbands. This is exactly the parallel of Thiruvāthira, which is prevalent in the districts from Kozhikode to Thiruvananthapuram. Like the Thiruvāthira festival, pooram is also celebrated by women to appease Lord Shiva for the rebirth of Kāmadeva (Cupid). However the rituals, songs and dances are entirely different from those of Thiruvathira.The myth of pooram is that, after the demise of Kāma, 18 virgins of Devaloka prepared the idol of Kāma, decorated it with flowers and danced around the idols with varied songs and foot works. The important aspects of the pooram celebration are :Poovidal (setting of flowers), watering rituals, Pooramtheli (making auspicious sounds by women), preparation of Kām vigrahas (idols of Kāma), decorating Kāma with flowers and similar objects, Poovada chudal (cooking the adaAda (food)
Ada or Ela Ada, is a traditional Kerala delicacy, consisting of rice parcels encased in a dough made of rice flour, with sweet fillings, steamed in banana leaf and served as an evening snack or as part of breakfast. It can be seen even in parts of Tamil Nadu as well.Grated coconut and rice flour...
– sweet cake made of rice powder, grated coconut and jaggery, covered with green leaves), cooling of Poorakkanji (raw rice prepared with grated coconut), send off ritual of Kāma, are performed exclusively by women.
Pula (ritualistic defilement / pollution)
Pula or ritualistic defilement / pollution was observed for 12 Days after every death in the Tharavādu. Partial pollution called Valāima was observed whenever there was a birth in the family.Māttu (change of raiment) for purification
Nambiār women observed pollution for three days during menstruation. While in her period, she did not eat or drink with any other member of the Tharavādu, and at the end on the fourth day, she must be purified by māttu (change of raiment). It involved, after a bath, accepting washed clothes from the washerwoman normally ordained for the tiya caste (vannāthi). Pollution, which may come through a death in the family, through child birth, or menstruation must be removed by māttu. There was no avoiding it. Until it was done, and it must be done on the fourth day, the woman was out of caste. It must be done in the right way at the right moment under pain of the most unpleasant social consequences. In Malabar sometimes kudippaka or family vengeances were taken out by preventing the māttu of one another. Fawcett notes
“How that the influential rural local magnate wreaks vengeance on a Taravad by preventing the right person giving " mattu " to the women is well known in Malabar. He could not with all the sections of the Penal Code at his disposal inflict deeper injury.”
Notable families and people
- The Thammangadan Nambiar Family (The Vediyara Chandroth Tharavadu), a sub-branch of the MushikaMushika KingdomMushika Kingdom was an ancient kingdom of the Tamil Sangam age in present day northern Kerala, India ruled by the Royal dynasty of the same name. They ruled the strip of land between Mangaluru in the north and Vadagara in the south...
/KolathiriKolathiriKolathiri or Kolathiri Rājā was the title by which the senior most male along the matilinial line of the Mushika or Kolathunādu Royal Family was styled...
/ChirakkalChirakkal RajaChirakkal Raja is the title of the senior most king of the Chirakkal branch of the Palli division of the Kolathiri dynasty of the erstwhile feudal state of Kolathunadu in North Malabar, Kerala state, South India. Chirakkal Rajas and Kolathiris traces their ancestry back to the Mushika dynasty of...
Royal Family, have by tradition, the right to being the first to have their Ghee offered to the Deity for 'Abhishekam', during the "Naallam Thurakkal" ritual, at the KottiyurKottiyurKottiyur, located in Kannur District, Kerala, India, is a place which has a very ancient temple by the same name and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to the Sthala Purana, it is supposed to be the location of the famous Yagna of Daksha, also called the Daksha Yagna or the Dakshayaagam....
ShivaShivaShiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
Temple, believed to be the site for the famous Yajna of DakshaDakshaIn Hinduism, Daksha, "the skilled one", is an ancient creator god, one of the Prajapatis, the Rishis and the Adityas. Daksha is said to be the son of Aditi and Brahma...
. - Vadakara Vazhunnore (The ruling family of KadathanaduKadathanaduKadathanadu was a former Nair Hindu feudatory city-state in present day Kerala state, South India, on the Malabar Coast famed for its anthology of heroic songs, folklores and ballads and for Kalarippayattu.-Geographical location:Geographically, Kadathanadu is part of North Malabar...
, who used the RajaRajaRaja is an Indian term for a monarch, or princely ruler of the Kshatriya varna...
title from the 19th century onwards) - Kaitheri Ambu Nambiar, brother in law of Pazhassi Raja who was an intelligent general and valorous fighter.
- Lt Gen Satish NambiarSatish NambiarLieutenant General Chenicheri Satish Nambiar is an Indian general who achieved international recognition as the first Force Commander and Head of Mission of UNPROFOR, the United Nations Protection Force in the former Yugoslavia, between March 1992 and March 1993...
- recipient of a Vir ChakraVir ChakraVir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration carried with it the right to use Vr.C. as a postnominal abbreviation Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration...
and Force Commander of UNPROFOR - A. K. GopalanA. K. GopalanAyillyath Kuttiari Gopalan , 1 October 1904 to March 22, 1977, popularly known as A. K. Gopalan or AKG, was an Indian communist leader and first leader of opposition of India.- Early life and education :...
or AKG (Ayillyath Kuttiari Gopalan Nambiar) an important veteran communist leader - Kottayan Katankot VenugopalKottayan Katankot VenugopalK. K. Venugopal is a senior advocate of Supreme Court of India and a constitutional lawyer. He has appeared in many high profile cases. He was conferred Padma Bhushan award by Government of India...
- Senior Advocate Supreme Court of India - Kodiyeri BalakrishnanKodiyeri BalakrishnanKodiyeri Balakrishnan is one of the prominent communist leader from Kerala , India.During 2001 to 2006 United Democratic Front government, he was the deputy opposition leader of Left Democratic Front . During 2006 to 2011 LDF government, he was the home and tourism minister of Kerala state...
(Home Minister in present Achutanandan ministry of Kerala) - P. K. SreemathyP. K. SreemathyP. K. Sreemathy , popularly known as P. K. Sreemathy Teacher, is an Indian politician and a member of Communist Party of India...
(Health MinisterHealth ministerA health minister is the member of a country's government typically responsible for protecting and promoting public health and providing welfare and other social security services....
in present Achuthanandan Ministry of Kerala) - M.N.NambiarM. N. NambiarM. N. Nambiar M. N. Nambiar M. N. Nambiar ( (born Manjeri Narayanan Nambiar 7 March 1919 — 19 November 2008) was a film actor in Tamil cinema and had been in the film industry for more than 50 years.-Biography:...
- Famous yesteryear actor in South IndiaSouth IndiaSouth India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area... - Vijay K. NambiarVijay K. NambiarVijay Nambiar is a veteran Indian diplomat and the Chef de Cabinet under UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon since 1 January 2007. He holds the rank of Under-Secretary-General and is a member of the Secretary-General's Senior Management Team....
(Former ambassador to China & Pakistan and current Chef de CabinetChef de CabinetChef de Cabinet is the head of an office in the United Nations Secretariat, appointed by the Secretary-General, or in the European Commission, appointed by an individual European Commissioner for his personal cabinet. The position's rank and responsibilities are equivalent to a chief of staff....
(Chef of Staff) under UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-MoonBan Ki-moonBan Ki-moon is the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations, after succeeding Kofi Annan in 2007. Before going on to be Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he...
) - Mavila Vishwanathan NairMavila Vishwanathan NairMavila Vishwanathan Nair is one of the seniormost bankers in the Indian Banking Industry. He is the current Chairman & Managing Director of the Union Bank of India. Earlier he was the Chairman and Managing Director of the Dena Bank...
- Noted Banker associated with Dena BankDena BankDena Bank is one of the earliest banks in India headquartered in Mumbai.-History:* Dena Bank was founded by the family of Devkaran Nanjee under the name Devkaran Nanjee Banking Company Ltd....
and Union Bank of IndiaUnion Bank of IndiaUnion Bank of India is one of India's largest state-owned banks , is listed on the Forbes 2000. It has assets of USD 13.45 billion and all the bank's branches have been networked with its 1135 ATMs. Its online Telebanking facility are available to all its Core Banking Customers - individual as... - O.M. Nambiar - who coached P.T.Usha
See also
- Kiryathil NairKiryathil NairKiryathil 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...
- Nair subcastes
- Nayanar (Nair Subcaste)Nayanar (Nair subcaste)Nayanar is an honorific title used among certain clans of Nairs in the North Malabar region of Kerala. Men of these clans were mainly chiefs of fiefdoms, and formed the aristocracy and landed gentry of the area.-Etymology:...
- Forward Castes
- KalarippayattuKalarippayattuKalaripayattu is a southern Indian martial art originating in Tamil Nadu but also practiced in contiguous parts of Kerala and Karnataka.Kalari payat includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods...
- SamanthanSamanthanSamantan Nair or more commonly Samantan was a generic term applied to dignify a collection of Kshatriya sub-clans among the ruling elite and feudal estate owners of Kerala belonging to the Nayar race.-Historical background:Kerala was under the second Chera Empire approximately during 800...
- JenmiJenmiJenmi is the term used to refer to the landlords of the Nair and Namboothiris castes from Kerala. In the past the majority, if not all the land was owned by these Jenmimar , and it was not unusual for an aristocratic family to own up to of land...
- NaduvazhiNaduvazhiNaduvazhi refers to landlords, chieftains and descendants of royal households in Kerala, India.-Function:Prior to the British reorganisation of the area now known as Kerala, it was divided into around ten feudal states. Each of these was governed by a rajah and was subdivided into organisational...
- Martial RaceMartial RaceMartial Race was a designation created by Army officials of British India, where they classified each ethnic group into one of two categories: 'Martial' and 'Non-Martial'. A 'martial race' was typically considered brave and well built for fighting. The 'non-martial races' were those whom the...