| Maniyani Nair മണിയാണി നായർ | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Lunar dynasty |
| Religions | Hinduism India |
| Populated states | Kerala • Puduchery |
| Related groups | Nair • Nambiar |
The Maniyani Nair [1] (also known as Kolaya, Kolari, Ayar, Konar, Urali Nair [2] [3] in different areas) is a Malayalam speaking Yadava community, [4] and Nair sub-caste native to Kerala state of South India. [5] They are mainly distributed in Kannur and Kasaragod districts. [6] They are a pastoral community and their traditional occupation is tending cattle and cultivation. [6] They are sometimes also referred as Itasseri Nairs. [7]
The Maniyanis are believed to have come from the ancient Yadava clan and associate themselves closely with the god Krishna. [8] It is believed that from Gokarnam, a group of those who set out for various parts of India, reached the Kolat land and the Tulu land via Mangalore.
The majority of the Maniyanis are concentrated in the districts of Kannur and Kasaragod. [6] They follow similar birth, marriage & death customs and rituals like other Nair sub-castes. Even though they practice endogamy, they do sometimes intermarry with other castes like Nambiar, [9] Payyanur Poduval, Nair, and Vaniya-Vattakad Nairs. [10] [11] [12] Today, two sub-castes among the Nairs, namely Pallichan and Maniyani, are theyyam worshippers, and they have their own shrines for their theyyams. [13]