Malayali Brahmins
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The term "Malayali Brahmins" or "Malayala Brahmanamar" applies to two main groups of Brahmins from the Indian state of Kerala. They were the Swadeshi or native Brahmins of Kerala while all other Brahmins were considered Paradesi or foreign Brahmins.
The Malayali Brahmins are:
- Namboodiri Brahmins: These are considered the most sacredotal Brahmins in all Indian and they maintained great ritual purity and notions of caste and creed in the past. They were the only Brahmins in Kerala permitted to study the Vedas. Namboodiri houses were known as "Illams" or "Manas". The highest family of the Malayali Brahmins is that of Azhvanchery, known as the Azhvanchery Samrat.
- Pohtty Brahmins: This refers to all other Swadeshi Brahmins in Kerala except the Namboodiris. They were mostly found in Travancore kingdom where there were lesser number of Namboodiri families. Their houses are known as "Madhoms" and they were inferior in point of caste to the Namboodiris and did not have the right to actually study the Vedas. They were, however, allowed the priestly vocation. Following the Temple Entry Proclamation of Maharajah Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma in 1936, these Brahmins too adopted the surname of Namboodiri. They are divided as:
- Pohtty Proper: These were the Pohttys proper found in Travancore mostly. They were further subdivided into two classes, one of which were known as Thiruvalla Desis.
- Tulu Embranthiris: They are found mostly in Malabar and Cochin and use the surname of Embranthiri.
Moosad and Elayath' Moosad and Elayath are two castes of Kerala. Contrary to common belief, Elayaths (literally, younger ones) and superior in terms of caste to the Moosads (elder ones) and are so called because they are lower than Namboodiri Brahmins whereas Moosads are the highest of Ambalavasis. This is also the reason why Moosads are never priests whereas Elayads are priests in temples and also performed the rituals of Nairs. However both castes follow customs same as the Namboodiri Brahmins.
[edit] References
- Travancore State Manual by V.Nagam Aiya
- Malabar Manual by William Logan
