It may not be easy to trace out the exact date of the origin of
Nair's. It is certain that they belonged
to the Dravidian group, not the Aryan. It is believed that in the Aryan society the rulers were
Kshatriyas. Chera rulers who ruled over
Kerala from AD 130 to AD 1100 were not Kshatriyas. But they belonged this place. So it can reasonably be presumed that they
were Nair's & Nair's were the rulers of the country in the past. Greek ambassador in the court of Chandra
Gupta, Megasthenes refers in around 300 BC about the Nair's & the kingdom of
Cheras, where there were female sovereigns, in his account of ancient India.
There is no ample evidence to prove the advent of Aryans to Kerala or their
establishment of kingdoms here. But
there are clear evidences for the involvement of Nair's in the rule of the
country. Wikipedia says that all the Cheras were Nair's & Kerala history is
more or less connected to Nair caste.
The word ‘Nair’ was authoritatively recorded in the 9th century
Thirukodithana (Trikodisthanam) command of Vijayaragadeven. Mention to Nair was also seen in the
Thirunelli Pattayam of Bhaskararavi Varma. There are inferences about to ‘Padanairs’ (warriors) in two stone
carvings of Nedumpuram Thali. It was
recorded in the stonewall of Suchindram Dwaraka Temple which belongs to AD 400
that ‘Pallikkkan Nair’ was the temple uralan. During the beginning of the 19th
century Nair became a caste name in Venad.
Before that, the word was used to mean “warrior”. One finds mention of
the Nair's during the reign of the King Rama Varma Kulashekhara (1020-1102) of
second Chera dynasty, when the Cholas attacked the Chera Kingdom. The Nair's
fought by forming suicide squads (Chavers) against the invading force.
There are differences of opinion about the origin of Nair
community.
- One argument is that Nair's
are descendents of Nagas, once a mighty group of India. Nagas were the oldest & strongest group
lived in India before the Aryan insurgency.
Before the advent of Namboodiris, an organized war-like group of people
exercised supremacy over Kerala. Their
origin was unknown. Owing to the worship
of Naga (snake), this set of people came to be known as Nagas. They exercised control over Adivasis, put
them to hard fieldwork & made them slaves, says K.M. Panicker (Keralathile
Swathanthrasamaram). Kodungallur Kunhikuttan Thampuran in his book ‘Keralathil’
firmly ascertains that Nairs are same as Nagas. P. Damodaran Pillai says that
Nagas were the group of people who moved to southwards from North India during
pre-historic times. They became the
Nairs of today. Some are of opinion that
the Nair's are the descendents of snake worshipping Scythians, who came to India
through northwest border and settled down in different parts of the country.
According to K.P. Padmanabha Menon, Keralan or Cheralan who ruled Kerala
centuries ago, brought Nagas and permitted to settle here & these Nagas were
later were known as Nair's & Ambalavasis.
- There is another version that Nair's belonged to Dravidian group of
people, which stretched from Europe to eastern end of Asia. Some believe that Nair's were transitioned
Naeri people who inhabited on the banks of Euphrates & Tigris rivers during
very ancient times. By about BC 3000 Urathier Naeri of Hurien tribe attacked
their country. The war lasted for a very
long period. In the end Sarhan-I
conquered the Naeri land completely by BC 2018. Naeris fled to different parts in different groups. Those who reached India settled in various
places like Lothal area, between Goa & Kannur, Thakshsila, Katmandu, North
Bihar, Bengal & in some places near Madras (now Chennai). Those who reached Karnataka settled in Tulunadu
and Kadathanadu. Another group crossed
the Sahya Mountains & reached Kerala. These Naeri settlers later become Nair's.
It is believed that there were 64 classifications in Nair
society. Nair's were grouped as Sudras
were turned into three main groups called Illam, Swaroopam & Padamangalam.
1. The first group
were servants of Brahmin houses.
2. The second were
servants in Kshatriya homes &
3. The third were
servants of temples.
Besides, there were a number of sub castes among Nair's like
Idachery Nair's, Maranmar, Athikurichikal, Chembukottikal, Odat Nair's, Chalia
Nair's, Kalamkotti Nair's, Pallichal Nair's, Veluthedathu Nair's & Vilakkithala
Nair's etc.
According to Keralolpathy, Nair's were classified into 18 sub
castes based on profession. They are:
Kiriyath Nair
|
Family
man-Those who attends the affairs of his Kiriyam (House)
|
Illathu Nair
|
Dependent
of a Brahmin Illam (House)
|
Swaroopathil Nair
|
Dependent
of a swaroopam (Kshathriya Home). Also known as Chartha Nair
|
Menokki
|
Those
who supervises
|
Pattola Nair
|
An
accountant-One who writes kingly orders & keep accounts
|
Marar
|
Marayan-One who beats drums in temple
|
Padamangalam Nair
|
Servants
of temples
|
Pallichan Nair
|
Those
who carries Pallichumadu or Manchal
|
Chembotti Nair
|
Copper
worker
|
Edachery Nair
|
Idassery
Nair
|
Odathu Nair
|
Bronze
worker
|
Vattakkathu Nair
|
One
who extracts oil
|
Anthur Nair
|
Maker
of bells
|
Asthikurrissi (Athikurichi)
|
One
who performs rituals in the funeral of Nairs. Also known as Seethikan
|
Vyapari Nair
|
Merchant
|
Vilakkithala Nair
|
Barber
|
Veluthedathu Nair
|
Dhobi
|
Pulikkal Nair
|
Dhobi
|
There are certain classifications in the community on the basis of
awards, positions & honorofic titles, which are as given below:
- Pillai is
the award or title given by the Maharajah to the Nairs who hold Thirumukom.
- Chembakaraman Pillai is an award introduced by His Highness Anizham Thirunal Marthandavarma.
- Thampi is
the title given to the children born to Travancore Maharajahs in Nair wives.
The Thampis had the right to stand erect before the kings & to travel in Pallakks
(Planquins).
- Kartha is
one of the positions given to the Nairs of Travancore. It is also believed that
Thekkumkur-Vadukkumkur rajahs gave the title to some landlords.
- Kurup is one
who gave Kalari training to the members of royal family.
- Panicker is also
one those who gave training in weapons to the royal family members. Panicker's were also known as Asans. They
enriched history as saviors of the land.
- Kaimals were
experts in warfare and financial management. Unnithan, Valyathan, Menon, Menokki were also titles conferred on those
who performed remarkable deeds.
- Moopil Nair,
Nayanar, Adiyodi, Kurup of Malabar, Menon, Marar of Cochin were also honours
conferred by the rulers. Those who were in high positions in Nair community in
Cochin won the titles of Karthavu, Kaimal, Thamban etc. due to their intimacy
to the royal family and appeasement to Brahmins. Among the various groups like Akath
Charnnavar, Purathu Charnnavar, Nambiar, Kurup etc. of the Nairs of Malabar,
Nairs & Kurups were soldiers. Purathu Charnnavar and Akathu Charnnavar were
servants of the royal family. Out of
this, supremacy is for Purathu Charnnavar.
Nair priests who performed rituals in Kalaries were known as Kuruppans,
Unnikal, Kurukkal, Adikaletc.
The Nair community has attracted the attention of historians,
sociologists & anthropologists because of the unique matri-lineal joint family
system, rituals like thalikettykalyanam & sambandham type of marriage. In the matri-lineal system, Nair women enjoyed
equal rights with men. They had the right of inheritance and possess
decision-making powers and control over family. The protection & independence
enjoyed by the Nair women in the matri-lineal joint family system was lacking in
other systems. Thalikettukalyanam &
sambandham were the two types of marriages rituals performed by Nair's in the
past. Thalikettukalyanam was obligatory to all girls before they attain puberty
while sambandham is held after girls became adult.
Nairs are Hindus.
Traditionally they were a military class. Agricultural was also their
traditional occupation in the past. Now they are engaged in trade, business,
government service and other professions apart from agriculture.
Pregnancy & Birth Rituals :
Nair's observe pulikudy during the seventh month of pregnancy. Birth pollution is for 16 days. They
celebrate irupathyettukettu on the 28th day after birth. Choroonu is performed
after six months. Therandukalyanam or Therandukuly was observed with detailed
rituals in the past but not observed now a day.
Marriage Rituals :
Nair
marriage is known as Kalyanam, Vivaham, Mangalyam, Pudvakoda or Pudamuri.
Marriage is taken place either at the bride’s residence, temples or at Kalyana
Mandapams (special halls or auditoriums). Tying thali around the neck of bride,
presentation of a set of cloth, exchange of garlands & finger rings are the
main rituals. Similarly, sambandham type of marriage which does not exist now.
Death or Cremation Rituals :
Nair cremate the dead. The
death pollution (pula) lasts for 16 days. In certain areas, it is observed for 11 days. Pulakuli is held to end
the death pollution on the 11th or 16th day.
Nambidis :
The Nambidis are descendants of the Brahmins. They wear poonool (sacred thread). They
belong to Hindu religion & follow Brahmin customs. They consider themselves
below Namboothiri Brahmins but above Kshathriyas. They are inhabited in Palakkad & Thrissur
Districts. Nambidi were landlords & agriculturists in the past. Consequent on
the introduction of land reforms, now they possess small landholdings. Now they
engage other occupations for their livelihood.
In the past, the Nambidi women had sambandham alliances with
Namboothiri Brahmins & Nambidi men with Nayar women. Similarly, they
celebrated thalikettukalyanam in the olden days. They follow all the life cycle rituals as per
shodasacharangal of Brahmins.
They observe birth pollution for ten days. They
observe Namakaranam, Choroonu, Upanayanam, therendukuly rituals.
The veli
(marriage) is conducted at the bride’s residence. Tying thali is an important
ritual of the marriage.
The Nambidi cremate the dead. Death pollution (Pula) lasts for 11
days.
Namboothiri :
The Namboothiri are the Malayala Brahmins. Brahmins are the highest ranking of the four
varnas (social classes). The elevated position of the Brahmans goes back to
the late Vedic period, when settlers in northern India were divided into
Brahmans (priests), Kshatriya (warriors), Vaisya (traders) & Sudra
(labourers). Since then there has been no fundamental change in their relative
position & the Brahmans still enjoy great prestige & many privileges. The
basis of the age-old veneration of Brahmans is the belief that they are
inherently of greater ritual purity than members of other castes & that they
alone are capable of performing certain vital religious tasks. The study and
recitation of the sacred scriptures was traditionally reserved for this
spiritual elite. Because of their high prestige & tradition of education,
they acted as advisers and ministers of ruling class.
According to
legend, Parasurama created Kerala. After creation he brought from all parts of
India & allowed to settle in Kerala, which was divided into sixty-four gramas
(villages). They were declared as the lords of the land and allowed special
privileges by Parasurama. He also prescribed the customs and manners to be
followed by the new settlers.
There are seven sub divisions among Namboothiri's viz.
- Thamprakkal
(Pontiffs in spiritual law)
- Vishishta (Performers
of vedic rituals)
- Adhyars
(Interpreters of Vedas),
- Samanyas
(Temple priests),
- Jatimatas
(Warriors),
- Sapgrasthas
(Group of people who were cursed by Parasurama)
- Payyannur
Gramakkar (16 families following Marumakkathayam)
These subdivisions are having
social & religious significance. Once they were the landowners. They used to
lease the land to Nair's for cultivation. Traditionally they were priests & settled agriculturists. Now they are engaged in different occupations &
professions in almost all walks of life.
The Namboothiri are handsome with
different complexions. They are having medium height. The Namboothiri ladies
are generally fair & beautiful. In the past the eldest son of the Namboothiri
was permitted to marry from the community. The younger had sambandhams with
ladies of Nair's, Nambiar's, Ambalavasis's, Varier's communities etc. Similarly child
marriages were common. But both the
practices have been discontinued since several years.
The Namboothiri follow shodashacharangal for life cycle rituals.
They cremate the dead. Death pollution (Pula) lasts for 11 days.
Nassuvan :
The Nassuvan are inhabited in Palakkad, Kozhikode & Kannur
districts. They were the migrants from Kongu Nadu (Coimbatore). Their mother
tongue is Tamil. Traditionally they are barbers & they are experts in hair
cutting and dressing.
They observe seemantham.
Birth pollution lasts for 15 days. Mundan
ceremony is performed when the child attain three months.
They celebrate
puberty rite known as savanja kalyanam.
Marriage takes place in bride’s
residence. Tying thali is the important function of marriage.
They cremate
their dead. Death pollution (Pula)
continues for ten days.
Nayadi :
The word Nayadi means a hunter & as indicated the name they are
hunters. They are one of the Scheduled
Castes inhabited in Malappuram district. They were nomadic food gathers.
A
document of 1924 accounted that they cover their nakedness by tying around the
waist strings of leaves and plants. In past they consumed the meat of the
animals that they hunted. The Census of
Cochin 1931 described them as nomadic unclean group of people who eat vermin
and reptiles. Now, they use clothes like mundu (Dhothi), shirt, jacket (blouse) & even saris. Their food habits have also been changed to that of other
communities. They were considered as the most untouchable community & they
had to keep a distance of 300 feet from a Brahmin.
They observe pulikudy at the seventh month of pregnancy. Birth pollution lasts for 15 days. Naming
ceremony is held on the 28th day.
They perform puberty rite when their girls
attain maturity.
Marriage takes place in bride’s residence. A type of beads
known as pasikal is used as thali i.e. the symbol of marriage.
They bury their
dead & death pollution (Pula). Pula terminates after 15 days by observing pulakuli.
