Nayanar (Nair subcaste)

For other uses of the name, see Nayanar (disambiguation).

Nayanar
Classification	Aristocracy, Feudatory, Landlord
Religions	Hinduism
Languages	Malayalam
Populated States	Kasaragod, Kannur
Subdivisions	Nambiar, Samanta Kshatriya

Nayanar is an honorific title used among certain clans of Nairs in the North Malabar region of Kerala. Men of these clans were mainly chiefs of fiefdoms, and formed the aristocracy and landed gentry of the area.

Etymology

Main article: Nair

The word Nayanar means "The Nayar" and is used as an aristocratic title in the Malabar region.^[1]

Position in society

The Nayanars were Samanthans and Naduvazhi (chiefs of fiefdoms and aristocracy) and Jenmimar (landed gentry).^[2]

Nambiar Nayanars

The three noted families of Erambala, Varikkara and Vengayil were originally Nambiars but received the Nayanar Sthanaperu (title name) from authorities such as the Chirakkal Raja and the Brahmin heads of temples.^{[citation needed]}

Edathil Nayanars (Samanta Kshatriya Nayanars)

The Edathil Nayanars are of Samanthan or Samanta Kshatriya status. They are the first Nayanars of north Malabar whom did not receive the title as honorific by the raja like the Nambiar Nayanars. Some of these tharavads include Samanthan Kenothedam, Samanthan Karakkattedam, Samanthan Chittothedam and Samanthan Kaitheriedam. These Nayanar tharavads use the word Edam, which means Kottaram or palace, with their tharavadu or family name. These clans are Kshatriyas who once enjoyed very high position in the royal darbar of [[Chirakkal Raja|Chirakkal]. Women of this section of Nayanars married Namboothiris or into the royal family of Chirakkal. Men belonging to these four families were addressed with an honorary suffix of "Vanavar" along with their family names. Female members were addressed with "Akathoottu Vanavar".^{[citation needed]}

Notables

• Erambala Krishnan Nayanar
• Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar

References

1. ^ Census of India, 1901, Volume 1 By India. Census Commissioner p.131
2. ^ 1. Organized Struggles of Malabar Peasantry, 1934-1940 Prakash Karat Social Scientist, Vol. 5, No. 8 (Mar., 1977), pp. 3-17

See also

• Nair Subcastes
• Kiryathil Nair
• Upper Castes
• Mannadiar
• Madampi