The Nairs of Kerala

The Nairs of Kerala

Kerala was once described as “a mental asylum” by none other than swami Vivekananda. That was about sixty years back. Swamy Vivekananda while traveling through this state could understand the way in which people of Kerala were living. The great saint was shocked by the superstitions and archaic customs existed in this land. The word “mental asylum” he used, was in a sense quite a merciful enough from a saint. Considering the conditions prevailed here, much harsher words would have been more appropriate!
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Those were the times of extreme madness. The whole population was graded in to thousands of castes, like the rungs of a ladder. While the Nampoothiris’ (Malabar brahmins) occupied the top, the lowest rung was occupied by the most unfortunate people of that time- the original inhabitants of this land. It is funny to observe that even the tribals themselves were sub grouped in to thousands of categories based on their occupations, living places etc. Paraya, pulluva, vedars, ulladars, kani, mala-arayan etc. are just some of them. The caste by name nair (also spelt as nayar) comes about the middle of the rung.

At that time a person belonging to a higher caste could not even touch another of a lower caste. If by any way a body contact happened the upper caste person had to take bathe immediately, as he was supposed to be polluted. The lower caste being involved in this incidence had to face dire consequence! The numerous castes were graded from top to bottom. Grater the difference, the distance that had to be kept between them increased in proportion. There were even castes which were not even permitted to use roads which were used by upper castes. This form of un- touchability was known as “theendal”

Members of the nair caste having belonged to the middle rung had liberty to enter in to the house of upper caste and could do some menial jobs, but physical contacts were taboo! Male members of upper caste used to have illicit relations with low caste women, Of course there were exceptions for the sake of convenience!

The word “nair” was said to be derived from the word “nayakar” (troop leader) as the community was mainly serving as army peronnel of the then kings and local chieftains. The army of nairs was known as “nair pada” (pada means army). Even after India getting independence nairs have not fully left the tradition. They contribute a good percentage of the Indian army.

About a hundred years back, most of the land of Kerala belonged to the nampoothiri caste and all other people of lower castes lived in perpetual fear as they could be evicted from their land according to the whims and fancies of the land owner. Living in such a pitiable condition for generations, made the lower caste people- including nairs- too submissive before the nampoothiris. This situation gave way for rampant exploitation of the lower castes, and they lived in the utter mercy of the masters.

Nairs lived in a joint family set up and matrilineal system was followed by them. In matrilineal system, all the property of the joint family were owned by the entire family members. The senior most male member was generally deputed to administer the affairs. He was known as the “karnavar”. Other male members had no say in any thing in the house neither did they had the basic right to lead a normal family life, as they were not allowed to bring their spouses home. Their children had no right to the property owned by the joint family to which their father belonged. Neither could the fathers provide for their children (even if there was permission , what could the poor fathers do, as they themselves lived like mere parasites in their own house.

The nampoothiris too were victims of strange and un believably eccentric customs of their own making. As per the traditions of the nampoothiris only the eldest one of the siblings only was allowed to marry from their own community, rest of them lived a life not more than those of stray animals; They had to wander here and there in search of temporary spouses just to meet their human wants. They had no responsibility in rearing the children born out of such relationships,. As wanderers they themselves are neither could they fulfill any. These are about men.

Then how the poor women folks thrived in those dark ages is another story. As only the eldest of the brothers could marry from their own community, and others “married with bachelor effect”, many of the women remained unmarried for their whole life. They were a neglected lot and lived a life uncared. An extreme punishment by name “smartha vicharam”(excommunication) hung like the Democlese’s sword over their head. The state of those women could be expressed only through a poem.

“Full many a flower is blown to blush unseen
And waste its fragrance in the desert air:
Full many a gem of purest ray serene.
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear.”

The nampoothiri illoms were dark caves were women lived a rotten life immersed in superstitions and unfair customs of senseless rituals. In the joint family system all men but one, got reduced to the status of mere strays and had no duty other than fathernig. This system did much damage to the community, its progress got stalled, and entire community’s status took a severe beating. The contribution of an individual was not taken in to account and everybody got some thing to fill his stomach and just enough clothes to cover his body. The men folk got reduced to the level of mere useless appendage to the society and to the joint family in particular.

There exists a lot sub groups in the nair community, some of them based on occupations, others based on native places. Regarding the origin of some of the sub groups no body knows how such sub groups got formed. Menons were former supervisors and accountants of the kings and local chieftains. There are pillays, kurups, nambiars, panikkars, edayadi, etc. Other categories by name “illathu”nair and “swaroopathu”nairs were also existed. The vilakkithala nairs were formerly working as barbers. Veluthedathu nairs were washer men. Such sub categories are history, and fast losing its relevance.

The facts mentioned above are part of the Kerala history, at present the joint family system has crumbled down. Nairs are as progressive and smart as any community in the Indian union. Their progress in the field of education enabled them to reach greater heights in the society. They have migrated to different parts of the world and proved their worth as very intelligent and trust worthy people. The elimination of the joint family has made every person accountable. Laziness is not easily forgiven in a molecular family as it was in the case of a joint family.

The introduction of modern education has made all the difference. Nairs were fortunate enough to grab the opportunities offered by the modern education. The service rendered by the Christian missionaries in spreading the modern education was commendable. All the communities stood to benefit from the rapid change that swept through out Kerala, although in different degrees. Nairs were quick to grab new ideas and their change from feudal to modern life was dramatic.

The roles played by Sri. Mannathu Padmanaban in reforming the community is of tremendous importance. The “Nair Service Society” (N.S.S.) found by him has contributed much in spreading the education and rooting out of the harmful rituals and superstitions existed among the community.

The contribution of nairs in the field of art is tremendous. They constitute a good percentage of Kerala’s artists. Well known novelists, dramatists, poets, Performing artists, film artists etc. make nairs most visible among Indian castes. Conventionally nairs used to add their caste name as suffix. Vasudevan nair, Gopala kurup, Krishna panicker, Narayanan nambiar, Raman menon etc are examples. Of late that tradition is being changed. As in the west now children are being named with their father’s name as suffix.

It would be of immense help to understand the true living style of nairs from the novels written by Sri. M.T. Vasudevan nair. His books ‘Nalukettu”(the ancestral homes of nairs built as a square with open roof less portion in the middle) Murappennu”(uncle’s daughter) Olavum theeravum. Etc. give lurid reading to any who is interested in feeling the heart beats of a group of people belonging to a bygone era. English translations are available to some of his works.

Most Malayalam movies tell the stories of nair families. And some of them seem to be so real, that the audience could recollect more than one character exactly similar to that they could see in the film in their real life. Because, thanks to Mr. Vasudevan nair, the nair cultue and life style has become so transparent. So transparent that it can be seen live in the movies!

Author: Sasi Kumar

Source: Naturemagics.com - website on Kerala Tourism

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