NAMBOOTHRI BRAHMINS OF KERALA


Friends.

I have been writing about various types of Brahmins. Now I am venturing into a very peculiar type of Brahmins i.e. KERALA’S FAMOUS NAMOOTHIRIS.

In India, if we are to say who are the most orthodox among Brahmins , they are this famous section of Brahmins called NAMBOOTHIRIS. In fact, even if a Namboothiri is highly educated, he invariably study VEDAS and rituals especially the retuals in temples. You can find Namboothiri Priests, in most of the temples in KERLA and many GREAT TEMPLES like BADARINATH TEMPLE, MOOKAMBIKA TEMPLE, PASUPATHINATH TEMPLE of NEPAL and many AYYAPPA TEMPLES etc. In fact, they are the chief priests of these temples.

The Word NAMBOOTHIRI MUST HAVE COME EITHER from the words NAMBU meaning BELIEVE and THIRI to show respect as upper caste, or blessed. Here is one more which I feel is apt. It must be a pollution of the words നമ്മുടെ തംപുരാന്‍ in Malayalam

In Tamil there is a word நம் தம்பிரான் meaning our Lord or God. Since I am of the view that Malayalam is the off shoot of KOTUMTHAMIZH ( கொடும் தமிழ் ) I feel, Namboothiri, is the short form of നമ്മുടെ തംപിരാന്‍. Or in Tamil நம் தம்பிரான்

They belong to PANCHA DRAVIDA BRAHMINS whose list is given below:-
Namboothiri Brahmins, , Embranthiris, Pushpaka Brahmins (Ambalavasis), Sharada Brahmins, Etc. In fact “They have the sole right of conducting rituals in Kerala and Kanyakumari of Tamil Nadu. Some major Mahakshetras around India (including North India) have a Nambudiri priest as the Head Tantri. Only “ ( WIKIPEDIA).

While we, IYERS perform POOJA as per Vedantha and UTHARA MIMAMSA, the Namboothiris of Kerala perform Poojas as per POORVA MIMAMSA i.e. THANTRA VIDHI. They were very orthodox and at present their orhodoxy is slightly reduced,
In fact even if an EMBANTHIRI OR IYER , IYENEGAR or any other brahmin touch them they used to take bath, since they condider it as ASHUDHAM. This rigidity made them not to take part in the last rights of the MOTHER OF ADI SHANKARA since the Sanyasins are considered as those who have renunciated from all worldly affairs including father , mother, house etc. Adi Shankata promised his mother, before he became SANYASI, that he woud go to her when she was in death bed and perform all retuals after her death which he did although it was against the principles of SANYASA. This is just to show their regidity as brahmins.

MIGRATION

Nambbothiris are believed to have migrated from THULU NAADU . In SANGAM LITERATURES it is given that the present THALIPPARAMBA known previously as
Perumchellur ( in KOLATHU NADU Old Name ) is the most important village of the Namboothiris and called it as Vedic Village. It is said that Parasurama gave 32 villages which are on the southern side of the river CHANDRAGIRI upto the river KANVANNUR in CHERPU of the present THRISSUR DT. The List of Namboothiri Gramams is given below :

Payyannur, 2) Perumchellur, 3) Alathur, 4) Kaaranthola, 5) Chokiram alias Sukapuram, 6) Panniyur, 7) Karikkat, 8) Isanamangalam, 9) Thrssivaperur and 10) Peruvanam; These villages are between the Rivers Perumpuzha and Karumanpuzha
(11) Chaamunda, 12) Irungatikkutal, 13) Avattiputhur, 14) Paravur, 15) Airanikkalam, 16) Muzhikulam, 17) Kulavur, 18) Atavur, 19) Chenganatu, 20) Ilibhyam, 21) Uliyannur, 22) Kalutanatu; These settlements are between the rivers Karimpuzha and Churni.
(23) Ettumanur, 24) Kumaaranallur, 25) Katamaruku, 26) Aranmula, 27) Thiruvalla, 28) Kitangur, 29) Chengannur, 30) Kaviyur, 31) Venmani, 32) Neermanna. These Namoothiri Gramams are between the rivers CHURNI and KANAYAKUMARI.
All Namboothiris originally belong to one of these villages.
A list of original NAMBOOTHIRIS is given below :=

(1) AADU , Specialists in performing Yagas who have the sole right to perform Yaga.
(2) EDU who are specialists in astrology , astronomy , Sanskrit , Vedas etc.
(3) BIKSHA or colloquially PICHA Namboothiris are Othikkans who help the main priest in Temples and also some of them are Sanyasins.
(4) OTHU Namboothirirs who are basically teachers who teach Vedas etc.
(5) SHANTHI Namoothiris who perform poojas in temples or priestly class
(6) ADUKKALA Namboothiris are specialists in cooking in temples , for marriages etc.
(7) CHATHTHIRA NANMBUTHIRIS who are either soldiers in this caste and famous for SANGHA KKALI.. They are also known as ARANGU Namboothiris.
(8) PANTHI NAMBUTHIRIS such as Panthi Graamani, Thangal, Vaal-Nambi and
Ashtavaidyans (all Mooss families except Vaidhyamadham) belong to this
category. Vaidhyamadham, though an Ashtavaidyan, belongs to Aadu claass as
they are the Vaidyans in the Yaagasaala (the hall where Yaagam is performed).
Mooss families are not included in the above eight classes as these physicians
perform surgery. Graamani Namboothiris, Thangal Namboothiris and Vaal
Nambis are Namboothiris performing village administration and hence excluded
from the above eight classes.

Some Nambuthiris have titles as BHATTATHIRI which is given to them by the Zamorins of Calicut during the famous PATTATHTHANAM ( പട്ടം means Title
താനം means giving ceremony )for proficiencies in various subjects. (Now-a-days this is given by universities and certain institutes.) There are three types of Bhattathiris Viz. SMARTHA BHATTATHIRIS, SHASTRA BAHTTATHIRIS and BHAGAVATHA BHATTATHIRIS. Some famous Bhattathiris are MELPATHIR NARAYANA BHATTATHIRI who wrote the famous NARAYANEEYAM which is a condensed edition of Maha Bhagavatha , since he was told to write (മത്സ്യം തൊട്ടു കഴിയ്ക്കുക ) by the famous THUNJATHU EZHUTHTHACHCHAN , as a cure for his rheumatic problem.; Polpaya Bhattathiripad: Pandamparambath Bhattathiripad (Ashta Grihathil Aadhyan families); Kunnathur Padinjaredath Bhattathiripad (Aadu), Manjappatta Bhattathiripad, Avinjikkad Bhattathiripad (both Edu) . .

I am still confused to write whether the NAMBOOTHIRIS WERE BROUGHT BY LORD PARASURAMA to KERALA which he discovered or resurrected from the Arabian sea and gave as gift, the land called Parasurama Kshethra which extended from Kanyakumari to Gokarna , to get the sin of killing his mother warded off. I leave it to the experts in the subject. There is a story that the soil of Parasurama Kshethra was saltish and nothing could be grown in that area and hence the Brahmins refused to accept this area as gift and hence Parasurama begged the king of snakes to make the land fertile by snake poison.. After that the land became fertile and the Brahmins accepted it as gift. The famous Sarpa Kavus (Snake Temples) owned by Namboothiris are MANNARSALA which is about 3 Kms from Haripad in Alapuzha Dt., Kerala and PAAMBUMEKKAT MANA near Guruvayur in Trichur Dt. I feel that there must be some connection with these Snake temples and Parasurama Kshethra which was gifted to Namboothiris. I also feel that among Dravidians there was caste system as among Aryans. In SREE RAMODANTHAM it is said “ पुरा विश्रवसः पुत्रॊ रावनॊ नाम राक्शस,
आसीजास्यानिजौ कुंबकर्ण विभीषणौ “ “Rakshasa is a term of contempt for Dravidians and other black aboriginals” .. Again Shree Rama after killing Ravana , in order to get pApa VimOchana for killing a Brahmin, (TO GET RID OF THE SIN OF KILLING A BRAHMIN ), built a temple in RAMESHWARAM. Hence , I am of the opinion that Namboothiris were Dravidian Brahmins who were well versed in Vedas and Thanthric method and ASTROLOGY, unlike Tamil Brahmins who follow Vedangas and Manthric Method.

AZVANCHERRY THAMRAKKAL

There is a saying in Malayalam. “ എല്ലാ തംബ്രാക്കളും തംബ്രാക്കളല്ല, ആഴ്വാന്‍ചേരി തംബ്രാക്കളാണു തംബ്രാക്കള്‍ ” Thambran were known as SAMRATS who were highly learned in Vedas etc who were capable to curse or bless any one and which world happen . Ultimately the THAMBRAS after death directly join PARABRAHMA without taking rebirth . Although AADIREYIDAM OF KARIKKAT GRAMAM
Mentions 10 THAMBRAKKALS only AZHVANCHERRY THAMBRAKKALS REMAIN NOW. The legends say that Lord Parasurama made them the chief Thambrakkal of the EIGHT OR NINE REMAINING THAMBRAKKAL of the 32 Villages (GRAMAM) which he gave to the Namboothiris to atone the sin of killing his mother. It is alsom said that Azhvancherry Thambakkals were the early teachers of Adi Shankara. AZVANCHERRY MANA is is located in Athevanadu Village , Near THIRUNAVAYA in Malapuram District of Kerala Now. Brahmasree Azhavancherry Raman Valia Thambrakkal or AR Thambrakkal is the present Azhvancherry Thambrakkal. Since, I am dealing with the Nambuthiris I leave this topic here.

While Azhvancery Thambrakkal remain the Samrats , they have a Political Leader also
c.alled as Perumpadapu Swaroopam or Kuru Swaroopam who were earst while Cochin Royal Family . “Traditionally Perumpadappu Moopil is considered as the political head of all the brahmins in Kerala (spiritual head AND SAMRAT being Azhvanchery Thamprakkal”
-ADHYAN NAMBOOTHIRIS
In general those who perform YAGAM in which GOAT is sacrificed are called ADHYAN NAMOOTHIRIS – AADU means GOAT.
Among Nambuthiris there are some lower class who are neither fully brahmin Namoothiris or Kshathrias. They are called PUSHPAKA BRAHMINS. There are also some separate people who are called AMBALAVASIS. They are lower to Namboothiri Caste but higher to other castes sine they wear holly thread and adhere to GAYATHRI MANTHRA.
(1) CHAKKIYARS, FEMININE GENDER : ILLATHTHAMMA , House MADHOM
(2) NAMBIARS who wear Holly Thread ( यञ्नोपवीतं ) ( பூணூல் ) പൂണൂ‍ല്‍), FG.
NANGIAR , House : MADHOM
(3) UNNI /NAMBISAN, NAMBI OR NAMBIDI : FG : ITTIYAMMA OR
BRAHMINI, House : ILLAM , MADHOM
(4) MOOTHATHU OR MOOSADU FG : MANAYAMMA , House : ILLAM
(5) ILAYATHU FG. :KUNHAMMA, ILLATHTHOMMA House : ILLAM
There are also some other AMBALAVASIS who are higher among Nairs but below Pushpaka Namboothiris, They are:

(1) WARRIARS Feminine Gender VARASYAR House VARIAM.
(2) PISHARODISFG : PISHARASYAR OR SHARASYAR House : PISHAARAM
(3) MARAAR FG MARASYAR OR AMMA House : MARAATH
(4) ADIKAL FG ADISYARAMMA HOUSE :MADHOM Since they were pure Brahmins but degraded since as priests of Bhadrakali Temple , they gave Liquor as offering to Bhadrakali.
(5) KURUKKAL FG : AMMA , House : MADHOM
(6) PODUVAL FG.PODUVALASYAR House :PODUVATHTHU
(7) There is one more about whom nothing is known much called PILAPPALLY
Some experts are of the view that all AMBALAVASIS belong to the same class.

NAMPOOTHIRIS AND GOTHRA

As Tamill Brahmins have GOTHRAMS & PRAVARAMS and CHARANAMS Namboothiris also have the same GOTHRA AND PRAVARA and CHARANA System.
OCCASIONS WHEN NAMBOOTHIRIS CHANGE THEIR GOTHRAMS

(1) As we change the Gothram when we take a child from another Gothram Namboothiris also change the GOTHRAM . i.e called DATHTHU
(2) During Marriage which they call VELI or PENN KODA (வேளி அல்லது பெண்கொடை)the girl changes her GOTHRAM , Pravaram and Charanam to her HUSBAND’S GOTHRAM like us.
(3) When there is no potent male member in the whole family or there is no male member in the whole family, they call this as “Vettirikkal" or “Sarvaswa Danam Vettirikkal” .I think DATHTHU is permitted among Tamil Brahmins also. .
VELI – VIVAHAM - MARRIAGE

Friends, there was a peculiar marriage system among NAMBOOTHIRIS till the year AD 1933 that only the eldest brother in the family should marry a NAMBOOTHIRI GIRL which they call it as VELI (வேளி, വേളി). Others were not permitted. This is as considered by them for increasing the progeny since they followed MAKKA THAYAM. They were only to learn Vedas, Sastras etc Viz. Hindu philosophy. However, since sexual urge cannot be stopped by any law or customs, they started having SAMBANDAM with other caste ladies especially NAIR girls and NON-BRAHMIN AMBALA VASI GIRLS. Hence from the year 1933 onwards marriage of other family male members with Nambootrhiri girls was permitted. Quote :-
“With the spread of western education by the late 19th century modern thought within Kerala moved towards the end of Sambandham connections between the Namboothiris and Nairs. With the passage of legislation in 1933 in the Madras Presidency district of Malabar and previously in the princely states of Travancore and Cochin, by which Sambandham was considered equal to "Veli" or legitimate marriage, thereby giving right of succession to the non Namboothiri children of Namboothiri men to their paternal estate, within a short period of less than a decade, the Sambandham system of informal marriage which bound the Namboothiris and Nairs together came to an end.” There was another cause, that before the legislation , the NAMBOOTHIRI BOYS who could not marry from their caste , started swndling family property and gave to their concubines. Thus the family of concubines started becoming rich, and the NAMOOTHIRI FAMILIES BECAME POOR. Hence the NAMOOTHIRIS , THEMSELVES, APPRECIATED AND WELCOMED THIS CHANGE.

NAMBOOTHIRI MARRIAGES
Namboodiris used to conduct the marriage ceremony for Four days. However, like us , they have also curtailed it to aboit 4 hours.
Namoothiri Marriages are called VELI (வேளி,വേളി ) by Bridegroom’s family and PENN KODA ( പെണ്‍ കൊഡ, பெண் கொட ) by the bride’ family. They call the bride as KUDY {குடி, കുഡി). The marriage ceremonies will be up-to four days. As we perform marriages in the Bride’s house or Marriage Hall fixed by the Bride’s family, Namboothiris also conduct marriages by the bride”s family. It starts with AYANI OONU. Thali Kettu (தாலி கெட்டு, താലികെട്ടു) can be by the father of the bride or the bridegroom. Generally father of the bride,( since smruthis suggest both types of tying the THALI as in order ) performs it since the girl can perform Bali and Sraaddha of her father and mother also. This practice is in contrast with our practice.

GHOSHA SYSTEM OF NAMBUTHIRIS FOR WOMEN
The Namboothiri women are called Antherjanam ( ान्तर्जनम्) or in pure Malayalam, AKATHTHULLAVAR (അകത്തുള്ളവര്‍), Meaning"people who stays inside the house." Since they rarely go out of the house (ILLAM) either to have bath in the POND inside the ILLAM premises or to temples. During this time they completely wrap their body with clothes, carry an umbrella made of Palm leaves ( ഓല ക്കുട, ஓலக்குடை) and hide themselves within it. They used to be accompanied by a SERVANT MAID generally of Nair Caste. I have witnessed this practice. As the days progressed such practices also started vanishing as in the case of other caste /societies.

Friends, in my opinion this class of Brahmins are most intelligent, unlike we , Tamil Brahmins , learn Vedas properly which they call (ഓത്തിനു പോകുക) , except very few. They also consider PERFORMING POOJAS IN TEMPLES ( SHANTI) as accreditation to them. There was one Dr. Nambidi, a friend of mine, who had taken Doctorate in Nuclear Science performing SHANTI in a small temple which he cherished more than his real engagement as professor in a reputed college. He is no more now alive.

SOME IMPORTANT MANAS (HOUSES) OF NAMBOOTHRI BRAHMINS ARE GIVEN BELOW ( This list is not exhaustive )

Akavur Mana, Madangarli Mana, Payur Mana, Mangalathu Mana, Mannazhi Mana, PelakkAttu Mana, Muthirankottu Mana, .Madangarli Mana, Chennas Mana, Brahmakulathu Mana, Maranaattu Mana, Polpaya Mana, Desamangalam Mana, Eda Mana, Kanipayur Mana, Kanjirapilly Mana, Kadamapatta Mana, Kunnathur Patinhaaretathu Mana, Killimangalthtghu Mana, Kootallur Mana, Naicker Mana, Nenmeni Mana, Olappamanna Mana , Poomulli Mana, puzhathol Padur Mana, Pazhur Kuruthedathu Mana , Vemancheri Mana, Panayil Pazhur Mana, Payyur Mana Etc.
Before I conclude, I would like to say that EMBRANTHIRIS are POTTIS who came from TULU NADU. They are a different section of brahmins who although are VAISHNAVATES perform POOJA in LORD SHIVA TEMPLES and DEVI TEMPLES in KERALA.

Friends, opinions may differ but notwithstanding all these, I have given my views.