Non-Malayali Keralites

The Non-Malayali people of Kerala or Non-Malayali Keralites (NMKs) are members of the collection of ethnic-cultural minority groups defined by the usage of languages other than Malayalam as their mother tongue and by their nativity to the Indian state of Kerala . [Keralathile Bhashakal(Languages of Kerala) By Dr. M. Sreenadhan. Published by International Centre for Kerala Studies, University of Kerala, ISBN 8187590114] [ Keralathile Bhasha Nyoonapakshangal(Language minorities of Kerala) By Mr. Paul Manalil. Published by Mathrubhoomi Books, Kozhikode. ISBN 8182642264 ]

Identity

dialect are integral parts of Tamil Brahmin culture in Kerala also"]

The non- Malayali identity is primarily linguistic as the definition includes all native Keralites of non-Malayali descent who maintain non-Malayali cultural traditions, even if they no longer regularly or fluently speak their mother tongues. Non- Malayali Keralites(NMKs) are ethnically, linguistically and culturally related to the people of other Indian States in the sub-continent. And, these ethnic minority groups of Kerala form integral parts of their larger ethnic groups or castes native to other regions or states of India as they share common languages, kinships and cultures among them practically making every NMK community as their domestic linguistic diaspora living in Kerala. Precisely, an NMK community is comparable to the tip of an iceberg in Kerala as its larger part is an ethnic and linguistic majority or native caste of another Indian state. Most of the NMKs speak languages other than Malayalam at home due to the factor that marriage outside one's own caste was rare till recent times. However, majority of NMKs still continue the tradition of the marriage within own castes and regions outside Kerala. Reverse migrations to the regions of linguistic origin is also an increasing trend among NMKs. The return of Paradesi Jews to Israel is an example in this regard.

Love for Malayalam language

It is interesting to note that all the NMKs born and brought up in Kerala are highly fluent in Malayalam language like any other native Malayali as many among them, especially in the younger generation induvidually introduce themselves as "Malayali" to their friends and colleagues without giving any trace of own mother tongue. However, as per urban legends, it is easy to find out who is an NMK in a college canteen since NMKs are predominantly vegetarians while Malayalees are not so. It will not be an exaggeration to say that it is nearly impossible to identify a primarilly multilingual NMK's mother tongue now a days while speaking in Malayalam. At the same time, all NMKs preserve their mother tongues very well at home. This may be due to the fact that Kerala, the Indian state is home to the religious and linguistic minorities as well since a culture of cooperation, unity and harmony is actively existing among its people for the past 2000 years as an excellent example of national integration in India.

Kerala's linguistic diversity

Kerala is the most linguistically diverse major region in India after the four metropolitan areas though ethnic Malayalis form 96.56% of the population. The language minorities of Kerala predominantly follow Vedic Hinduism as most of them are Brahmins who either migrated from other parts of India like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over centuries or happened to be the native inhabitants in the border regions which became parts of Kerala when it was formed in 1956 on linguistic basis with a Malayali majority.

Major Non-Malayali Keralite(NMK)communities

The following are the major ethnic communities among non-Malayali Keralites(NMKs):

Tamil Brahmins of Kerala

Iyers of Kerala(Also known as Palakkad Iyers) are the Tamil speaking Brahmins who have been living in Kerala for centuries after migrating from Thanjavur. The Iyers are now like any other community in Kerala with a long history and culture and are prominent in every sphere of Malayali culture like Malayalam literature, movies, politics, music and business. Iyers introduced and popularised Carnatic music in Kerala. Though they are a rapidly declining community due to heavy emigration to other cities in India, Iyers still form a sizable minority in regions like Palakkad. They are affectionately called as "Swami" by the members of other communities. Mahakavi Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer hailed from this community. Iyers are the only Hindu community in Kerala who traditionally follow Uttara Mimamsa or Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy and non-tantric forms of ancient Vedic rituals, unlike Nambudiris- the only Malayali Brahmin community indigenous to Kerala.

Cochin GSBs or Konkani Gaud Saraswat Brahmins

Cochin GSB's are a branch of the Konkani speaking Gaud Saraswat Brahmins community of India. GSBs of Cochin form the southern most subsect of Saraswat Brahmins of West coast. GSBs of north Kerala are similar to GSBs of Canara in speech and customs, whereas GSBs of former princely states of Cochin and Travancore have developed their own Konkani dialect and Customs, which distinguish them from rest of GSB community, this subsect is now called Cochin GSBs. In Geographical terms, Cochin GSBs are those who live south of Thrissur district of Kerala.

Kasaragod Havyaka Brahmins

Kasaragod Havyaka Brahmins or Kasaragod Havyakas are part of a Kannadiga Brahmin subsect primarily found in the Indian state of Karnataka and Northern Kerala. After the Kasaragod region's merger with Kerala in 1956, where Kasaragod Havyakas have lived for centuries, they have been fully retaining their Kannada culture, language and traditions. There are many Kannada language schools in Kasaragod district supported by the Government of Kerala since Kannadigas, like Tamil-speaking Iyers, are a language minority community in the Indian state.

Cochin Gujaratis

There are about 500 Gujarati families living for many generations in Kochi, the commercial hub of Kerala. Gujarati community is composed of various social groups like Jains, Saurashtris and Kutchis in the Indian state. The Gujarati Street at Mattanchery in the city is a main Gujarati cultural icon in Kerala.

Telugu Brahmins of Kerala

Telugu Brahmins living mainly in the Thiruvananthapuram district are members of the Hindu Brahmin caste whose mother tongue is Telugu. Most of them are the direct descendants of Telugu Brahmins migrated from the region of Andhra Pradesh, located in South India during the golden era of erstwhile Travancore Kingdom. Telugu Brahmins are known for their accomplishments in religious, musical and cultural endeavors, but have less population in Kerala compared to other language minority communities.

hivalli Tulu Brahmins of Kerala

Shivalli Brahmins living all over the Indian state of Kerala are part of the larger Tulu Brahmin subsect primarily found in the Indian state of Karnataka and in the Kasaragod district of Northern Kerala. Their mother tongue is Tulu language. Since the ancient times they have been spread through the northern Kasaragod, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka. Today, there is a sizeable Tulu Brahmin population in Thiruvananthapuram and elsewhere in the state, where they have migrated.

Cochin Sikhs

Kochi is home to the Punjabi speaking Sikh community in Kerala as the coastal city has the most number of Sikhs in the south Indian state. Many of the Kerala's Punjabi Sikh community are in the automobile spare parts industry. The only gurudwara in Kerala is also located in Kochi. The foundation stone of the gurudwara was laid on November 29, 1955.

List of mother tongues spoken in Kerala by number of speakers

(Excluding the tribal population) [Keralathile Bhashakal(Languages of Kerala) By Dr. M. Sreenadhan. Published by International Centre for Kerala Studies, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram.] [According to 1991 Census]

ee also

* Kerala
* Malayali
* Multilingualism

References

Notes