Namboothiri

The Namboothiris (Malayalam :നമ്പൂതിരി)are the Brahmins of Kerala, thought to be the most orthodox brahmins in India. Unique thing about them is they follow poorva mimamsa unlike uttara mimamsa followed by most of the south Indians.

Namboothiri etymology

In Malayalam, the word Namboothiri is derived from Nambu meaning sacred or trustworthy, and thiri meaning Light.

Origins

Generally, Brahmins in South India are believed to have migrated from North India after most of South India was colonized. However, it is unclear if all of them migrated after various South Indian kingdoms started taking shape. At present, the only known migration is that of Tulu Brahmins from the region of Tulu Nadu to North Malabar(or Kolathunadu as it was known then). However, those accounts in fact talk about the migration during medieval times.

Myth of origin

The Namboothiris' own mythology holds that Parashuraaman created the land (of Kerala) and bestowed it upon them. Parasurama myth also exists amongst Brahmins of coastal regions of Karnataka, Konkan and Gujarat. Hence it has to be seen as a myth not exlusive to Namboothiris and Kerala alone. However, this myth also exist in an old Chera lore about King Velkezu Kuttavan. According to this myth, the king flings his spear into the sea to claim land from it. This lore was modified later in Malayalam language by the Namboothiris as part of their campaign to establish themselves in Kerala. In the Namboothiri version, Parashuraaman uses his Parashu (Axe), to create new land for the Brahmins.

Customs and traditions

Namoothiris are mostly Smarthas but Shaivism and Vaishnavism are also present to a minor extent. While Tamil Brahmins follow Vedic traditions in the temples, Namboothiris follow Tantrik tradition similar to Tulu Brahmins. The Namboothiris were considered to be the most orthodox brahmins of India. The Namboothiris are acknowledged as being among the foremost vedic scholars of India. In fact, among all the various Brahmin groups in India, it is only in the vedic chanting of the Namboothiris that one can find a relic of the PIE (Proto-Indo-European) language (in the form of some specific raised accent). This ancient oral tradition of Vedic chanting is getting extinct after merging of the erstwhile Princely ruled states of Cochin and Travancore to the Indian Union in A.D. 1947.

Namboothiri men

In old days, only the eldest son of a Namboothiri was allowed to marry a fellow Namboothiri girl. The standard caveat being other sons must be celibate and dedicate themselves for priestly tasks. Anyway, younger sons had alliences known as Sambandham with Nair women. The children of these alliances became part of Nair families true to matrilineal traditions.

One of the most illustrious namboodiri brahmin is Sri AdiSankara one of the foremost spiritual gurus of ancient India and the pioneer of the advaita vedanta. In recent times, EMS Namboodiripad the first elected Marxist chief minister has been a very illustrious and well read marxist leader known throught the world. You'll find Namboodiris of very different political inclinations and socio-economic status, but generally they follow a disciplined spiritual life and are looked upon as intelligent, hardworking and knowledgeable.

Namboothiri women

The Namboothiri women are called Antherjanam, the literal meaning being "people inside the house." The travel of Namboothiri girls were limited to the temples or to the house of their immediate relatives, but that too had to be accompanied by a maidservant. The rule that only the eldest son could marry hit Namboothiri women badly. However, polygamous relationship with Namboothiri women were not a rare phenomenon.

Caste system

The caste system enforced by Namboothiris in Kerala was one of the most rigid in whole India. The rules of untouchability across various levels of castes, the regulation on the language used, the regulations on the dress, the regulations on the place of dwelling and also on the construction of the houses were either extreme form of caste rules or unheard of in other parts of India.

Vivekananda, a Hindu monk, famously declared Kerala "a lunatic asylum of castes" after observing the strange caste practices in the society.

Namboothiri Brahmin Surnames

Namboothiri, Namboothirppadu, Bhattathiri, Bhattathirippadu

Malayalam literature

The Namboothiris were supporter of Sanskrit based Great tradition from Chera's period. However, Malayalam based Little tradition started gaining popularity in medieval Kerala. After initial opposition, Little tradition was accepted by Namboothiris. However, Sanskritization of literary Malayalam was already initiated by non-Brahmin scholars in Kerala society.

Namboothiris and social reforms

The Hindu Marriage Act and the influence of Communism during the start of 20th century made drastic effects on this otherwise orthodox community. Determined steps were made to give more rights to women, and to desist the men folk from having alliances (which were not even marriages) with members from other castes. The Land Reforms Act, also caused a heavy blow on this community (along with other castes like Nairs) as agricultural land was taken away from them.

Present

Today you find members of this community in all walks of life, all across the world - right from the priest at a nearby temple, to a software engineer or an accountant in the Middle East, Europe or in the United States.

Trivia

Mohini

Namboothiris were generally associated with magic and sorcery. The female spirit, Mohini, and Namboothiri made an irresistible pair in old Kerala society. The Malayalee romance with the pair has continued to moden times with many novels, TV serials catering to their insatiable curiosity.

However, on the other hand non Malayalee population like, Tuluvas, Kodavas and Kannadigas in North of Kerala as well as Sri Lankans of all ethnic origins, viewed all Malayalees as black magicians and were scared and suspicious of them. Now this stereotypism is dead.

Namboothiris & Iyers

Namoothiris consider Iyers as inferior and did not allow them inside their houses except in kitchen as Iyers depend on non-priestly occupations for their livelihood. On their part, Iyers or Pattar(as they were known in Kerala) considered Malabar brahmins(Namboothiris and Tulu Brahmins) low since the legends talk about Parashurama upgrading fishermen in the Malabar region to Brahminhood.Generally you will find Namboodiris as priests in most of the temples in kerala.

References

Kerala history

External links

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Kerala society | Malayali Brahmins | Social groups of India | Caste