Nambiar (caste surname)

Nambiar is a Hindu caste surname prevalent mainly in the Malabar region of Kerala, India.[1]

The term "Nambiar" meaning "trusted one" or “one who is trustworthy” which originates from the early Tamil words "Nambu" meaning "Trust"," a surname commonly given by royal families in North Malabar region to individuals from various communities who provided different services to the royal household or their temples. In some cases, it was also used as an honorific.[2]

List of castes using the Nambiar surname

Samanthan – The Samanthan Nambiars, were a caste found in Malabar region, where they were very numerous in number. They were Nambiar women who married into the royal families of the region. Many of these Samanthan families dropped the Nambiar surname in the early 1800s.[3][4]

Ambalavasi Nambiar – The Ambalavasi Nambiars, also known as Mizhavu Nambiars or Chakyar Nambiars and Thiyyadi Nambiars, as well as some sections of Pushpakas and Nambeeshans, also use the Nambiar surname. These communities were associated with temples and are considered to belong to the Antarala caste. They held the second-highest spiritual rank after the Nambudiri Brahmins. Many temple activities and privileges were reserved specifically for this community, such as playing the Mizhavu in temples and performing Chakyar Koothu, among others. The family occupation of the Thiyyadi Nambiars is the performance of the Thiyattu ritual. Like the Thiyatitunnikal, they are also called Thiyadikal and wear ponnol. Ambalavasi Nambiars were a strict vegetarian community, which distinguishes them from other Nambiars.[5][6][7][8][9]

Nair Nambiar – The Nair Nambiars are Nairs from the Kiriyathil and Charna Nair subcastes who served as landlords, soldiers, and ministers and were associated with royal families. Some families served as administrators under the Adiyodi rulers. There were different ranks and internal subdivisions among the Nair Nambiars. Chandroth, Korothu, Kallyat, Othayoth, Keloth, and Koodali Nambiars are some of the Nambiar families belonging to the Kiriyathil and Charna Nair castes. Many of these families were later upgraded to the title of Nayanar.[10][11]

Vaniya Nambiars – Families from the Vaniya caste are also allowed to use the Nambiar surname due to the duties assigned to them by various royal families and temples on special occasions.[12][13][14]

Chengazhi Nambiars - Chengazhi Nambiars are said to be descendants of the Shukapuram Azhvanchery Thamprakkal, who lost their caste rank after taking up arms in a conflict.[15]

Currently, the Nambiar surname is most commonly used by the Ambalavasi and Nair castes, is very rarely used by others. Other communities no longer use the surname Nambiar.

See also

References

  1. ^ MALABAR MANUAL by William Logan. VICTORIA INSTITUTIONS, Aaradhana, DEVERKOVIL 673508 India www.victoriainstitutions.com.
  2. ^ Menon, Krishnat P. Padmanabha (1924). A History of Kerala: Written in the Form of Notes on Visscher's Letters from Malabar. Printed at the Cochin Government Press.
  3. ^ The Madras Weekly Notes. N. R. K. Tatachariar. 1945.
  4. ^ Fawcett, F. (2004-02-01). Nâyars of Malabar. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 978-81-206-0171-0.
  5. ^ Sinha, Surajit (1993). Anthropology of Weaker Sections. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-7022-491-4.
  6. ^ Ghosh, S. K. (August 2003). Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Bioethics -3 Vols. Global Vision Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-87746-80-5.
  7. ^ Nirmmalāpaṇikkar (1992). Nangiar Koothu, the Classical Dance Theatre of the Nangiar-s. Natana Kairali.
  8. ^ Dutta, Madhumita (2008). Let's Know Music and Musical Instruments of India. Star Publications. ISBN 978-1-905863-29-7.
  9. ^ Variar, K. Sreedhara (1969). Marumakkathayam and Allied Systems of Law in the Kerala State. author.
  10. ^ Miller, Eric J. (1955). "Village Structure in North Kerala". In Srinivas, M. N. (ed.). India's Villages. Bombay: Media Promoters & Publishers.
  11. ^ Aiyar, Kudalūr Ramachandra (1883). A Manual of Malabar Law: As Administered by the Courts. Vest.
  12. ^ Innes, Charles Alexander (1997). "Peruvanian Nambiyars , Chelladan Nayars and Vennapalan Nayars . All three observe fifteen days ' pollution . The name Peruvanian means " great " or " principal oil - man and it is the duty of this caste to present the Kurumbranad Raja". Malabar Gazetteer. Kerala Gazetteers. p. 120.
  13. ^ CM Shankaran Nair, better known as CMS Chandera., CMS Chandera (1976). വടക്കേ മലബാറിലെ പാട്ടുത്സവം [The Song Festival of Northern Kerala.] (in Malayalam). The Author. p. 10.
  14. ^ Abraham, George (2020-12-28). Lanterns on the Lanes: Lit for Life…. Notion Press. ISBN 978-1-64899-659-7.
  15. ^ Panikkar, Kavalam Madhava (1931). Malabar and the Dutch: (being the History of the Fall of the Nayar Power in Malabar). D. B. Taraporevala sons & Company.
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