Sunday, 14 September 2014

About a community

            In NCERT IX Social Science, JANAKI NAIR write under the subject of Caste Conflict and Dress Change that  women of the Shanar caste were attacked by upper caste Nairs in public places in the southern princely state of Travancore, for wearing a cloth across their upper bodies. Over subsequent decades, a violent conflict over dress codes ensued. The Shanars (also called Nadars) were a community of toddy tappers who migrated to southern Travancore to work under Nair landlords.
 
2.          Janaki Nair fails to refer the history.  What she has done as what the earlier Nair/Namboodiri writers had done with the ancient ruling class/native of the land. Namboodiri/Nair are the settler in the present land from Central/North East India, basically from Bengal.  Their cultures are very similar to Bengal; one is Pandava Marriage system, prevalent in earlier Nair community. Nair is the household of Namboodiri. Namboodiri-Nair Sambandhams may also be considered morganatic marriages for while the husband was of higher social status and the mother of relatively lower status, the children were still considered legitimate although they did not inherit the titles or wealth of their fathers.  Namboothri were given the Nair kshatriya functions, but only shudra status, thus originated the Nairs.  Namboothri’s introduction of Sanskrit and their melding of it with the local Tamil language to form Malayalam was also striking (see Malayalam script’s similarity with Tamil letters (Granthamil)/80% kodum tamil spoken in Kumari land are Malayalam words). Their dominating influence was to be found in all matters: religion, politics, society, economics and culture. Their present state’s population is Nair 12% and Brahmin 1.59%.  In Brahmin, half of Tamil brahmin in Kerala is called Tambrahn, remaining are Namboodiri. Then, who are the settler?.  For example, caste name in North India – Nayar, Nayak, Naga people from North east are similar in colour and Nair is worshiper of Nagam/Snake.  Their Kudumi (elevated Hair style) of the earlier Nair women/Namboodiri’s men are like the Naga paampu’s padam eduthu aaduvathu pol.

3.         Come to point.  What would be the counterpart point to the above author.  Nadars are one of the earliest inhabitants of India. There are records which establish their links with Chaldeans, Syria, Camobida, Jaya, Sumatra, China and it is well established by historians.  Their Origin was in the south, known as “Komari land” related to the southern tip of India- Kumari Kandam which cover in Kerala from Trivandurm to Idduki and Ernakulam and in Tamil Nadu from Kanya Kumari to Madurai. In Madurai, Pandiya Ruler is in power, from which Chera Ruler/ Aye Kingdom are born.  Why the present day “Malayalee” call the people in Tamilnadu as “Pandi”. The meaning is that the people of Namboodiri/Nairs (new arrival from North/North East) had become the server to the Pandya Kingdom at first by form of spiritual/warier status respectively.  When the Nair/Mamboodiri rose in power and the Pandiya King became their puppet, they used to call the natives in the present day kerala as Pandi and now, all Keralites use to call the people of Tamilnadu as Pandi.  Actual meaning of Pandya is derived from the Tamil word “Pandi” meaning bull. Ancient Tamils, considered the bull as a sign of masculinity and valour.  Pandya became the epithet of the first Pandyan king of Madurai, Kulasekharan Pandya as he was built like a bull.   
4.       The martial art of Southern Kalaripayattu/Suvadu was historically practiced by the Nadars. The Nadar/Nadan community as called in above as ‘Shanar’ was derived from ‘Chantor’.  When Travancore rule was there in Tranvancore samasthanam, Nadan (Nadar) of Kanya Kumari district had equal status like Nair/Namboodiri in Travancore Raja and had vast landed property.  Ezhava community in Kerala is also given this name and doing the duties of the toddy tapping. It is also believed that Ezhava community/Thyyias are from Eelam.  In Vadakkan pattu, they tell their ancestral story. This Nadar of Eelam (by a Headman/ the toddy tapping trade in Kerala and Tamilnadu/their traditional martial arts of Karipayattu and also adoption of herbal medicine by both communities) settled in Kerala are called Ezhava/Thiyyas (Ezhava word born out of Eelam).  Their living style/language accent is very similar to present Eela Tamils in Srilanka. 

5.       In contradiction to the above author’s claim and as stated in para 3 above, the Nadar/Nadan has a history of over 2000 years and ever since they are found in Tamil Nadu and Kerala in South India- Kumari land, and also of Sri Lanka irrespective of other caste like Namboothri/Nair. The Nadar constitute 12% in Tamil Nadu's population. In other place, how much? The Nadar’s population in
         In Tamilnadu.  Southern districts of TN such as Kanniyakumari (65%), Thoothukkudi 
 (43%), Tirunelveli (36%), Virudhunagar (24%), Ramanathapuram (11%), Madurai             (18%), Theni (11%), Dindigul(6%).  Other districts are Coimbatore (11%), Tiruppur 
 %), Erode (11%),Sivagangai (9%) and the state capital Chennai (18%). Thanjavur          (5%), Cuddalore (5%).

          In Kerala, Nadars (Hindu+Latin Catholics+SIUC) form about one third of Thiruvananthapurams population and dominate Neyyatinkara, Nedumangad Taluks. The District of Kollam has 14% Nadars, while Idukki has 13%. The assembly constituences of Parassala (54%), Neyyatrinkara (52%), Nemom (35%), Kovalam (50%), Kattakada (32%), Nedumangad (40%), Aruvikkara (30%), Vattiyoorkavu (27%), Kazhakuttam (24%)are having huge Nadar Population. Thiruvananthapuram (U) has 18%, Attingal (13%), Chirayinkeezhu (11%) and Varkala (9%) are in TVM district, while Kollam (15%), Punalur (17%) are the other two northern segments having good Nadar presence.

6.       In “Kamba Ramayana” there is the story of “Chantor” community this is the “Channar” community another name of Nadar Community. At the glorious period the royal people also resort to climb Palmyra tree for collecting toddy in order to give “Pooja” to Sakthi or Deity Durga. Then that practice becomes a lively hood for latter period. The well known Chola Royal Dynasty of Sangham period at Tamilnadu was really “Nadar Community”. They are known by the surname “Perumal” that means “King” at Tamilnadu most of the Nadar members are known by the surname “Perumal” Meaning of the word “Nadar” is really “Nade Andavar” the meaning is “God of the Land”. Psychological Suppression of Nadar Community:-The suppress of Nadar Community begin by Eighth century that means during the period of Sri Sankaracharya the Brahmin domination begins. From that period which is approximately 1000 yrs ago the psychological suppression of Nadar community begins. All the available Kerala History data deliberately distorted so as not to trace the incoming Nadar generations mind to the reality that they are Royal People. About 150 yrs ago that means about one generation ago the suppressed Nadar do not have the right to proper dressing, At Travancore they even conduct mutiny for use “blouse” the famous “marumarakkal samaram” is really the after effect of this suppression. At Sucheendram Temple, Thiruvatar Temple, Padmanabha Swami Temple at East Fort, Trivandrum there are strong evidence of link with Nadar Community and Temple deities. And most of the evidences are dislocated or hided by so called “Savarna Communities of Nair and Namboodiri”.  Present Caste System and Nadar Community:- At present Caste System of Kerala designed so as to retain the Brahmin and Nair domination for ever. They are “forward communities” and all other communities are “backward” According to Hindu Mythology “Nair” community and sub castes are really belongs to “Sudras” that means servants. The reality of collecting toddy from Palmyra is now projecting as the “Tradition Job” of the Nadar Community. And most of the community members are unaware of the reality that they are Royal People and they familiar with the job of toddy collection.

7.       The acclaimed “Forward Community” has the following sub-caste system among Nair/also lower caste :-

Kiriyath Nair

Family man.  Those who attends the affairs of his Kiriyam (House).
Illathu Nair
Dependent of a Brahmin Illam (house).
Swaroopathil Nair
Dependent of a swaroopam (Kshathriya Home).  Also known as Chartha Nair.
Menokki
Those who supervises.
Pattola Nair
An accountant. One who writes kingly orders and keep accounts.
Marar
Marayan. One who beats drums in temple.
Padamangalam Nair
Servants of temples.
Pallichan Nair
Those who carries Pallichumadu or Manchal
Chembotti Nair
Copper worker.
Edachery Nair
Idassery Nair.
Odathu Nair
Bronze worker.
Vattakkathu Nair
One who extracts oil.
Anthur Nair
Maker of bells.
Asthikurrissi (Athikurichi)
One who performs rituals in the funeral of Nairs. Also known as Seethikan.
Vyapari Nair
Merchant
Vilakkithala Nair
Barber
Veluthedathu Nair
Dhobi.

7.       It was said that Parayar/Pulayan are now very lowly people.  Once upon a time, they are doing the job of announcing scheme of King by beating the drum. They were very access to the King.  InTamil, parai adithu, thagaval/cheidhi solluvathu.  In Malayalam, “Parainnu” means speaking. Pulambal – uttering incoherently, raving, weeping.  What is the present status of the once acclaimed/sociallyhigh people?.

 8.      When these Brahmin/other Ariyan people had access to the native King.  These parai adithu sonna people became Parayan/Parayar/Pulayan/Pulayar, the low caste.  Likewise, many indigenous/native/original people became low.  Raja/King became puppet to the Brahmin/other Ariyan people.  Later, the Native raja became Brahmin or their slave’s clan. In Kerala, Cherumar are low caste, see deriving word of Chera ruler now are low caste.  Kerala is born out of Chera/Kera. 

9.       From the above, who are ancient people?.  Who are Royal?. Who are native?.  Why one caste is against another caste?.  Why the above author claim indirectly they are superior and native of the land?.  All are Maya and illusion.

10.    When we go through Indian caste system/history in the form of Hinduism, it was found that there are grouped into four varnas: Brahmins, Kshatriyaas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. Certain groups now known as “Dalits” were excluded from the varna system. When we open the sangam age of Tamil or the history of Southern rulers, there are two classes, one is the Valangai or right-handed faction was made up of castes with an agricultural basis, other is the Idangai was made of metal workers, weavers, etc. i.e. castes involved in manufacturing.

11.     Here in para 10 above, you see, who are given the first status, others in downward form. A caste was not given a name in Varna system. Because, they are from where?.  This means that Asuran like Ravana, Mahabali, Vali, Karna are the Dravidan/native of land ('lower world'-Pathalam). When we pick up the story of Mahabali, this connects to the tale behind the festival of Onam, by which, this is the place on which Lord Vamana set his foot to push down Mahabali to the 'lower world' Pathalam. God, Deva and Brahmin are Ariyan (they are from Sky/Akasham).  Even Lord Shiva, Dravidan God was not given a place in Vainavam.  Many vainava followers do still not recognize the Lord Shiva as their God.  In contrast, there is a history, Shiva followers harassed and killed Vainava followers in Tamil kingdom. How a community misused a community against another community.  It is the fact.     Then, the author has to explain or the dominance caste hindu writers without taking account of Brahmin should explain, where is your position?.  Where you are placed?. How are you exploited?.  In long run, the native of the land have undergone many misadventures like
(a)          Other caste people should not wear a cloth over breast.
(b)         Nair women should not wear a cloth over breast in front of Namboodiri.
(c)          Namboodiri women should not wear a cloth over breast in front of deity.

13.     All are the impositions to retain a formidable ruling over a community and in end, the one community is very nearest to the God.


14.     In the digital world, there is no supremacy no lowliness.  However, Deva community is still in dominance in politics, bureaucracy or any discussion in TV channel and rituals.  They still have a foot hold.  We can exert and remove this existing since then when we all are one.