Mannadiyar

This article is about the Tamil caste of Palakkad district. For the Nair sub-caste, see Mannadiar.

Mannadiar is a Hindu caste primarily located in Palakkad district of Kerala, South India.

Gothram

Mannadiars are Vaishyas and they belong to Kailasa gothram.^{[citation needed]} Agriculture and business were their traditional ways of earning livelihood in olden days. They follow Makkathaayam tradition and the after-death pollution time (pula) for family members is for 10 days.

Male members are identified by their family (tharavad) name and female members migrate to their husbands' family after marriage and keep the husband's family name. The practice of using title "Guptan" is normally seen after middle age. Married female members were earlier addressed as "Akathaal" (in short as "Thaal" - means the person leaves inside the house)and with the time, the suffix transformed to "Ammal" and later to Amma and Mannadiar.

Demographics

Mannadiar population is spread within Palakkad district only. The major pockets being Palakkad Town, Chittur, Kollengode, Koduvayur, Cherpullassery, Karippode, Nemmara, Katampazhippuram, Mangalamkunnu, Thiruvazhiyode, Punchapadam, Sreekrishnapuram, Mannampetta, Pulappetta, Peringode, Kongad, Karimba, Karakurussi, Pallikkurup, Mannarkkad, Thachanattukara, Attasseri, Edathanattukara, Chethallur,etc.

Culture

Mannadiars were traditionally farmers and agriculture was their main way of earning livelihoods in olden days. Families without even a small paddy field was very rare in those times. The cross section of the community was a blend, ranging from poor farmers to big feudal land lords. Most of their houses were called "Kalam" which means the place for after - harvesting activities of paddy. After the land reforms, the attraction of agriculture was in the downward trend and some have shifted to plantation field and later focused on education, business and service sectors. Teaching was the most popular profession in earlier days among the community and many prominent teachers with their proud disciples had positively contributed towards the improvement of their community as well as the society in general. Today's generations are more focused on professional education and many have excelled in the fields of Engineering, Medical Science, Robotics, Space Technology, Computer Software, etc. But there is almost a vacuum in the area of political and civil administration.

Food habits of Guptans are a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Though many women still prefer to be vegetarian but men are mostly non-vegetarians (mainly fish and chicken). Other than the normal Hindu festivals like Onam, Vishu, Thiruvathira, Karthika Vilakku, Deepavali and Dussehra are also celebrated by the new generation.

Marriage customs

Mannadiar' marriage related processes start from "Ashtamangalyam" (അഷ്ടമംഗല്യം) function- the engagement at bride's residence. After horoscope matching, on the day of "Ashtamangalyam", a "Thamboola Prasnam" - astrological prediction based on Beettle leaves and Deepam (oil lamp) - will be conducted as a ritual and results of the "Prasna" will be interpreted to all relatives assembled there.(This is to take remedial measures and precautions for hurdles foreseen in the future married life, if any.). Other customs connected to this function are tying of horoscopes of bride & groom together symbolically for the fixation of marriage and "Pon veykkal" ( presenting Gold ornament to bride)by Groom's relatives (normally sister of groom) followed by feast.

Marriage is normally called paanigrahanam (പാണീഗ്രഹണം) and it is a simple function nowadays (earlier marriage was eventful for four days and groom used to travel to bride's house on an elephant). Today's marriages are for one day and some major customs still followed are ayiru unnal (ayinioonu) - having a feast (for groom and his aid, normally brother-in-law)before starting from the house, kuda pidiykkal - groom's aid will hold umbrella till they reach bride's house irrespective of the weather and nadhaswaram - treated as sacred music will be accompanied, thalappoli - receiving function at bride's residence (marriage hall)by girls with a tray of flowers and oil lamp, kaalu kazhukal - Bride's younger brother will clean the groom's feet while receiving him to the mandapam, thalikettu (solemn vow) - Tying the thali chain in the bride's neck and exchange of rings there after, paanigrahanam (accepting the bride by taking holy vows)- Bride's uncle( or father)will perform the "kanya daanam" by keeping the hand of bride into the hand of groom and agni pradhakshinam - after holding the hands mutually by a knot of their small fingers, groom and bride together move around the "Vivaha-homa agni"-the sacred fire.

Kaikottikkali, an important art form used to be performed in bride's house(previous night of the marriage) and groom's residence (on the day of marriage after receiving bride & groom )in olden days. Elite class used to conduct Kathakali too. Palum Pazhavum ( feeding sweet milk and banana after marriage) and Kavukeral ( visiting their respective paradevatha temples after 7 days of marriage) are other customs related to marriage.

Birth customs

On birth of a child in the family, the main rituals are "Irupathettu" - the first birth day (star) as per lunar calender (28th day after birth) and choroon (ചോറൂണ്)- first feeding of food (annaprasam)in 6th month along with child's naming ceremony. Shashtipoorthy (ഷഷ്ഠിപൂര്‍ത്തി)- 60th birthday & Sathabhishekam(ശതാഭിഷേകം)- seeing of 1000 full moon/84th birth day, are celebrated widely .

Death customs

Mannadiayr observe 10 days of defilement (pula- after death pollution time). After cremation (sometimes buriel in olden days), the eldest son will follow deeksha for these days (or for a mandalam - 41 days or an year). On 9th day is Athazha oottu and on 10th day, Sanchayanam - collection of bones of the demised person- followed by Baliitharppanam by seshakriyakkar . Nimanjanam of the collected bones will be done at Thirunelli, Thirunavaya or in a near by river on 10th day or after an year.

Notables

• CS Sukumaran, state president
• Unnikrishnan Thiruvazhiyode, civil servant and author

References

• Kottichezhunnallath -(1909)
• Aaryavaisyanmaar - (1987)
• Desayanam by EP Bhaskara Guptan,samabhavini books (2004)
• Biography of Punnassery Neelakanta Sharma by Prof. KP Narayana Pisharody
• Puliyath Krishnan Kutty Guptan
• Malabar Manual (1887) - Willyam Logan
• A Journey from Madras through countries of Mysore, Canara & Malabar (1807)- Dr. Francis Bukkanan
• Castes and tribes of South India - Thurston Edgar
• Zamorins of Calicut - Prof. KV Krishna Iyer
• Kesari Magazine- Nila edition (1971)
• Vayillyamkunnu Devaswom Sthalapuranam by Adiyath Ramaguptan.