Nairs Another Interesting History Lookup

Nair's are a strong group of people having deep-rooted influence over Kerala. No other society had possessed their status or standard. They were deeply immersed with the history & culture of Kerala. Truly speaking, the history of Nair's is indeed the history of Kerala.

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.