Valiathan

"Valiathan" is a title held by a group of families, all branches along the matrilineal line of the main Valiathan family known as "Vattaparambil Valiathan". It is said that the Maharajah Marthanda Varma of Travancore sought the help of this Vattaparambil Thankal which was duly given to overcome the powerful clan of Ettuveetil Pillamar. The Maharajah and the heir apparent, the popular Dharmarajah, therefore addressed the senior most lady of the "Vattaparambil" house as "Valiyamma". Later the lord of the "Vattaparambil" house died in battle on the Travancore side with the Ettuveetil Pillamar.

When Marthanda Varma finally became king, he gave the title of "Valia Thankal" to the Vattaparambil family which was later corrupted into "Valiathan". This may also be the reason why the other thankal families came to be known as "Unnithans" or junior thankals.

The Vattaparambil family got divided into three branches, mainly Keerikad, Thiruvalla and Pandalam. The Thiruvalla Branch had marital relations with the Nedumpuram royal family there while the Pandalam Family, known as Thottathil, had relations with the Royal family of Pandalam.

Today these three families, known as the Valiathans, constitute a subcaste of the Nair community. They are not permitted to intermarry as they are matrilineal branches of the same family under the Marumakkathayam law.

References

*"Travancore State Manual", by V.Nagam Aiya
*"History of Travancore", by Shungunny Menon
*Census Report of Travancore 1901

ee also

*Nair
*Unnithan
*Jati system of Kerala
*V. S. Valiathan
*Dr M S Valiathan F.R.C.S.