Maniyani (caste)

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Maniyani Nair
മണിയാണി നായർ
Classification Lunar dynasty
Religions Hinduism
Languages Malayalam
Country India
Populated states Kerala   Puduchery
Related groups Nair   Nambiar

The Maniyani Nair (also known as Kolaya, Ayar, Konar, Iruman, Urali Nair [1] in different area) is a nair sub-caste [2] and Malayalam speaking Yadava community, [3] native to Kerala state of South India. [4] They are mainly distributed in Kozhikode, Palakkad, Kannur, Kasaragod and Wayanad districts. Their traditional occupation is tending cattle and cultivation. [5] They keep the Nair surname.

Contents

Origin

The Maniyanis are believed to have come from the ancient Yadava clan and associate themselves closely with the god Krishna. [6] 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.

Social life

The majority of the Maniyanis are concentrated in the districts of Kannur and Kasaragod. [7] 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, Payyanur Poduval, Nair, and Vaniya-Vattakad Nairs. [8]

Kannangattu bhagavathi is the tutelary deity of Maniyanis. Kannangattu bhagavathi has permanent place in every Muchilot Bhagavathi temple since Maniyanis have special brotherly relationship with Vaniya-Vattakad Nairs. Maniyanis also perform Poorakkali in Muchilot bhagavathi temples. [9]

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References

  1. Manakkadan Manicoth Anand Ram (1999). Influx Crete to Kerala. Keerthi Publishing House.
  2. Religion and Society. Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society. 1979.
  3. J. N. Singh Yadav (1992). Yadavas Through the Ages, from Ancient Period to Date. Sharada Publishing House. ISBN   978-81-85616-03-2.
  4. J. N. Singh Yadav (2001). Yadavas of South India. Yadava Publications.
  5. "www.ecoi.net" (PDF).
  6. T. Madhava Menon; International School of Dravidian Linguistics (2002). A handbook of Kerala. International School of Dravidian Linguistics. ISBN   978-81-85692-31-9.
  7. "www.ecoi.net" (PDF).
  8. P Radhakrishnan (1983). "Land Reforms and Social Change: Study of a Kerala Village". Economic and Political Weekly. 18 (52/53): A143–A150. JSTOR   41626951.
  9. Adoor K. K. Ramachandran Nair (1986). Kerala State Gazetteer. State Editor, Kerala Gazetteers. ISBN   978-81-85499-36-9.