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Introduction

Nair is the name of a caste in the Southern Indian state of Kerala. Nairs are an integral part of Kerala's culture and have a long and illustrious history. Nairs are a warrior class (a martial nobility). In this regard, they are similar to the samurai of Japan. The word Nair is either derived from the Sanskrit word Nayaka (leader) or Naga (snakes, which the Nairs worshipped). The Nair class name also encompasses Menons, Panickers, Kurups, Pillais, Unnithans, and Nambiars.

Origins and History

According to Chattambi Swamigal, who interpreted ancient Tamil texts, Nairs were a Dravidian nobility called the "Naka Lords". Ancient South Indian history refers to the Nairs as a martial nobility, eminent historians, and foreign travelers.

The origin of the Nair caste is uncertain. Some anthropologists are of the view that the Nairs are not indigenous to Kerala. One theory is that Nairs are actually the descendants of the Newars of Nepal, who migrated to Kerala. There are many facts to support this view. The first is the lighter complexion, and sharper features of Nairs. The second is the distinct pagoda-like architectural style of Nair Tharavaadus and Temples. Finally, there is the Marumakkathaayam system of inheritance. This system is a matrilineal system which is also practiced by the Newars of Nepal. Another view is that the Nairs are actually descendants of the Chera Kings.

There exists another disputed view that the Nairs and Rajput are related, with the Rajput moving south and thus becoming the Nairs. There is no real proof behind this claim, which may or may not be true.

Yet another theory is that the Nairs are indigenous to Kerala, but gained the sharper features and fairer complexion due to intermarriages with the Namboothiris.

No one is sure when the Nairs actually arrived in Kerala. However, they were definitely present in Kerala before the arrival of the Brahmins in the seventh century A.D. One finds the first mention of Nairs during the reign of the Chera King Rama Varma Kulashekhara (1020-1102), when the Chera Kingdom was attacked by the Cholas. The Nairs demonstrated their bravery, courage, and nobility by forming suicide squads (Chavers) against the invading force.

Some Nair Customs and Traditions

Nairs have customs that are different from the rest of Kerala. The first of these is the Marumakkathaayam system of inheritance. This system is a matrilineal system of inheritance. It is exceptional in the sense that it was one of the few traditional systems that gave women liberty, and right to property. Under this system, women enjoyed respect, prestige and power. An exception is the community of Mannadiars of Palghat, because they follow patrilineal system.

In the Marumakkathyam system, the family lived together in a tharavaadu which comprised of a mother, her brothers and younger sisters, and her children. The oldest brother was known as the karnavar and was the head of the household and managed the family estate. Lineage was traced through the mother, and the children "belonged" to the mother's family. All family property was jointly owned. In the event of a partition, the shares of the children were clubbed with that of the mother.

The Marumakkathyam system is not very common in Kerala these days for many reasons. Kerala society has become much more cosmopolitan and modern. Nair men seek jobs away from their hometown and take their wives and children along with them. In this scenario, a joint-family system is not viable. However, there are still a few tharawads that pay homage to this system. In some Nair families, the children carry the last name of their mother instead of the father, and are considered part of the mother's family, and not the father's.

A curious practice called Sambandham evolved with the arrival of the Brahmins (Namboothiris). In a Namboothiri family, only the oldest brother was allowed to marry; he could marry up to four Namboothiri women. The younger brothers were allowed to enter into relationships with Nair women. The Nair woman would then have two husbands (a Nair and a Namboothiri) and in essence, a system of polyandry came into being. However, as a consequence of this practice, the number of Namboothiris declined and the number of Nairs increased because the children born in a Nair-Namboothiri marriage would belong to the Nair woman's family. It does not exist today.

The martial art known as Kalaripayattu was created by the Nairs. Kalaripayattu is believed to be the oldest form of martial arts in the world. It is thought that all other forms of martial arts are descended from it. There is some truth in this because Kerala had intense contacts with Buddhist monks, and Kung Fu, popularized by monks of the Shaoling Temple, traces its ancestry to Bodhidharma - an Indian Buddhist monk and Kalaripayattu master.

Nairs Today

Today, Nairs can be found in all walks of life. They are still aware of their cultural traditions and history and still form an integral and active part of Kerala society. The Nair Service Society (NSS) champions the interests of the Nair community in Kerala. The NSS has chapters all around the world and helps Nairs stay in touch with their traditions and culture, and with each other.

Famous Nairs

A significant fraction of famous personalities from Kerala are Nairs; to name a few

• Chattambi Swamikal
• Mannathu Padmanabhan (1878-1970)
• P K Vasudevan Nair, E K Nayanar, C Achutha Menon; all former Chief Ministers of Kerala
• Adoor Gopalakrishnan film director, Mohanlal Film actor, and many other film personalities
• M T Vasudevan Nair, Vallathol Narayana Menon, G Sankara Kurup and numerous other famous writers from Kerala
• Swami Chinmayananda
• V K Krishna Menon
• M G K Menon
• M. G. Ramachandran, film actor and former chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

External Links

• Nairs.org

References

• The Nair heritage of Kerala: People and Culture: by Dr. Zacharais Thundy
• Kerala Myths and Legends
• Chera Times of the Kulashekaras by Dr. Zacharais Thundy
• The Decline of Nayar Dominance by Robin Jeffrey

• Caste