Ultra right and wrong: Women in India face a new threat to their freedom of choice. Nehru, Iqbal, cricket and the question of Muslim identity. Hate smug liberals? Interested in blogging for timesofindia. We will be happy to have you on board as a blogger, if you have the knack for writing. Just drop in a mail at toiblogs timesinternet. Accept Reject. Update Consent. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email. Prashanth MP.
Start a Conversation. Please note: TOI will have complete discretion to select bloggers TOI's decision in this regard will be final There's no remuneration for blogging TOI reserves the right to edit all blogs. Islam, India and the Jamaat. More Blogs. Indrani Bagchi Globespotting. Dig into history. All your caste pride will vanish. Menon was not a caste but a title like Nambiar, Pillai and most of the title earners were ezhavas! Another example, Dr.
Ravindran last year wrote quoting Kodungalloor Kunhikuttan Thampuran's history book that Moose were Ayurvedic vaidyas brahmanised from ezhava caste. Read Kanippayur Namboothiri's history book and you will get a different picture of nairs. So cast aside the caste and live as good human beings.
April 21, at PM. This is far from lie. I am not a south Indian but have first hand experience with Malayalees. They are the worst racists on planet earth. I am not surprised at this article at all. April 26, at AM. Menon is a trade name who does clerical work by profession. It is not a caste name ,later the men belonging to Nair caste adopted this tail.
Their is no speciality for such people but a shameful history. So don't try to say that Nair's have big status. May 2, at PM. See these people were very keen to open their bedroom doors for namboori men to do asambandham.
And now from where they have this mentality. Nair's are the lowest cast people in terms of their tradition. They need to do rituals to get an Ezhava marriage relationship. No ezhava parents would allow their daughters to marry a nair. Yes those who did shamefull act need to be shameful. They did the most shamefull act in all human history. They need to pay for it. Everyone knows.. Anu If u were born in a poor family May 7, at AM. I just stumbled upon this page and can honestly say I'm horrified at this blog and the comments.
I'm a Keralite born and raised abroad and am proud to say I have no clue what caste I am! Its shameful to perpetuate such archaic beliefs in this day and age. Where I live, I come across many people who make fun of Indians because they think we are "backward". I argue with these people and like to re-educate them on the greatness of India. But when I come across comments like this, I'm really saddened to see that this is still a conversation!
Which caste you are does NOT define who you are as a person. And the caste of others does not define them. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!!! May 11, at PM. May 15, at AM. May 25, at PM. May 26, at AM. Why such kind of people Blog or comment on caste system or say anything about their caste For Example I don't believe in caste system then in very next sentence says i belong to Nair or Menon.
C'on guys Hahhaha now those people are trying to find out my caste Regards Vivek Vasudevan. May 28, at PM. May 29, at AM. Still the nairs and menons are dreaming of their past glory to be reinstated in the society and remain in the upper strata. Infact the nairs in kerala are the most ugliest community you can ever come across in your life as they presented their daughters and wifes before naboothirs for free sex inorder to be rich and privileged.
Actually this is a spineless community which accepted the sexual slavery of the namboothiris. Even today their real character can be seen in the form of sarita nair, latha nair, salu menon etc doing their traditional occupation of sex for money yet they claim that they are the most superior race Iam proud that I belongs to ezhava community which never accepted the sexual slavery of namboothiris and gave birth to genious people such as sri narayan guru, kumaran asan, SK pottakkad,sukumar azikode etc.
June 19, at AM. Thiyyas and Ezhavas are two different communities which is scientifically proven. If the thiyyas were poor and good for nothing as compared to ezhavas like some people have said, why are the ezhavas so hell-bent on ezhavanisation of the thiyyas.
On the other hand, the thiyyas don't want to identify themselves with the ezhavas. The only reason the ezhavas are doing this is to bask in the glory and the stature of the great thiyya community of North Malabar.
Historians and ethnographers have described the thiyya community in their works as one the most progressive communities in the country during the pre-independence era. Ezhavas can now boast of millionaires but don't forget the past. When thiyyas held high positions pre-independence during the Madras Presidency, they was not even a single peon from the ezhava community in government service.
Moreover, keeping the thiyyas in the loop is a way of showing off to the Nair community of Travancore that they also had highly educated and progressive people in their community who are called as thiyyas in North Kerala. The ezhavas have started claiming that Kavu, theyyam, etc. One thing you should understand is that money cannot buy class. Tharavadithum comes only from lineage and upbringing. The words used by certain people in this blog clearly reflect on their background trying desperately to get some hold in society through their riches.
Money must be a criteria to move up socially in South Kerala, but for the thiyyas of North Malabar who don't offer or accept dowry care two hoots about it. June 24, at AM. Ezhavas from the ancient past was very highly knowledgeble and educated community with high knowledge in sanskrit ayurveda philosophy high medical knowledge etc He hails from Kanichukulangara, Alappuzha district of Kerala.
Vellappally Natesan born as one of the 13 children of Late Vellappally Kesavan Muthalaly, of rich Vellappally family who were land-lords of the locality. The family were owning a school and a devi temple at Kanichukulngara. Even today their real character can be seen in the form of sarita nair, latha nair, salu menon etc doing their traditional occupation of sex for money July 27, at PM.
September 10, at PM. Grow up guys.. Pity on u.. N y why most of the Christians n Muslims admires upper caste is just because they themselves were converted from lower caste to get rid of this caste system once.. This same people when reach foreign countries will not do this bcz the rules n systems there are that much perfect.. September 14, at PM.
Rajiv said…. I'm a Menon who was born and brought up in Mumbai. This morning while browsing thru the internet to find reasons as to why a lot of Malayalees don't prefer to keep their surnames I chanced upon this article. I'm apalled to learn how a surname can be a potent poison in ones life. I must say I have been lucky to never have faced such discrimination or been offered preferential treatement for being a Menon, or rather I would never know if I was treated differently ever for being a Menon.
I guess its a different world back home in Kerala. I'll never want to live in a place where I would be discriminated because of my surname. September 25, at PM. Being an ezhava, born and bought up in kerala i never had or even heard about such kind of experiences.
I' blongs to a hindu ezhava panicker family. October 4, at PM. Dear Humans One thing comes out very clear, in a society or market corporate an identity, logo, assurance, breed, clan will come in new forms and there is no escape.
Whether you don't like to get attached today with Menon, Ezhava you will be know as engineer, doctor, lawyer, IAS families! End of the day you want to stand tall in the society. Remembering an old story title of Bhasheer 'My grandfather had an elephant'! All the best. December 22, at AM. To all my Anonymous friends and fellow bloggers, Some of you called this an article full of nonsense, others used this as an opportunity to call names, abuse others etc.
Very few people listened to what is being conveyed. A question: Why can't we discuss caste without flaring up, calling each other names? That is the problem we need to solve - you, I and we, the whole nation, we need to do this together. A discussion on caste is impossible unless you are willing to: 1.
Listen to what is being conveyed 2. Revisit your own thoughts, beliefs and prejudices if any about caste 3. Change your mindset. I am ready to listen to your experiences and views but not to abuse. I reiterate: Love and humanity is all that matters. No one is superior to another in the name of caste, religion, gender or anything else for that matter.
I have not said so anywhere in my article because I do not personally believe so. I am a Menon, a Hindu and a woman - I cannot change any of this but I can change my mindset and choose to be a good human being.
That's all I talked about - Love and humanity. What did you choose to understand? January 4, at PM. Kerala was ruled by Tulu-Nepalese people from Ahichatra in the Uttarkhand Nepal for the past six hundred years. All the indigenous Dravdian people were subjugated by the Ahichatra migrants ie Nairs and Nambuthiris. Samantha a subgroup of Tulunadus Bunt community became the rulers of Kerala.
Samanthas had the support of Arabs as well as the opportunistic Europeans who came to Kerala. Portuguese used Nair soldiers to promote themselves. Because of the European support the Primitive Naga Samantha rulers and their Nepalese culture survived in Kerala for five hundred years.
Otherwise the Samantha would have become history. Travancore kings were called Mannai Sulthan also. The support of Delhi Sulthanate and European colonial power kept a primitive Nepalese tribe for more than six hundred years. The Samanthan Nair rulers did not wear dress and barred the indigenous people from covering their upper part of the body too. Most of the Dravidian people were not allowed to walk in the roads by the Northern Aryan-Naga people.
Sanskrit and Tulu words were integrated into Malayalam language. Nairs descend from Bunts and not from ancient Tamils. Bunt subcastes Nayara Menava Kuruba and Samantha became rulers of Kerala but in the earlier period they had been Slaves brought from Ahichatra.
Kerala was given to them by Malik Kafur and not from sage Parasuraman. Keralas Villavar Tamil rulers of Chera dynasty never mention the legend of Parasuraman.
Villavar were indigenous to Kerala. Ancient Dravidian Villavar culture was destroyed while the Villavar were enslaved. Nadar Panickar and Channar all descend from the Villavars. Panickar armies supported Chera and Pandyan kingdoms from time immemorial. February 28, at AM. Hi swapna I would like to make one thing very clear to everyone over here although it has nothing to do with the topic but many people over here are very much conused with the fact March 11, at AM.
ChandranMethil said…. Dear Menon Kutti,You have disturbed a hornets nest with this blog. Nothing works in India without caste coming into the picture, The only places where caste is being eroded are in Metropolitan cities where people of different religions and castes are closely intertwined and the traditional joint family systems are breaking down.
The only way this pernicious system can be removed is by economic development and when all our citizens become "wealthy".
At the present rate of progress,it will perhaps take a little more than half a century. Perhaps our grand children will be able to breathe a little freer and caste becomes a historical memory.
I had a fun time reading your blog and all the comments. March 18, at AM. I am a north indian brahmin, my kerala friends who are namboothiris told that "Nai" means dog and that is how Nair caste name came it seems. Nairs had to show a dog's loyalty and work as dogs for Namboothiri brahmins. Nairs were considered as Shudras by namboothiri. If anybody could explain whether what my kerala namboothiri friends told is true or false? May 20, at PM.
J said…. I came across this article today. I'm a keralite brought up abroad. I am from the ezhava caste, and I'm mentioning this just so that people understand what I'm trying to say. I do not believe in caste, but I do agree with this article.
Caste system is a curse and it is racism. I was shocked and appalled. Reservation was created to uplift the backward classes and it was w good idea when we got independence. It was supposed to be a temporary solution. But it stuck on as caste politics took root. Now the jats and patels and various other affluent castes want reservation. India is no longer a country of meritocracy. I feel for what Seapna's father had to go through. It is the truth. Many upper caste students and candidates don't get what they deserve.
It's about time reservation is cancelled. Further more majority of the keralites love to leave kerala and go abroad. Reservation is not going to help them land a job outside of India. Th most important thing here is to be good human beings. We all bleed red not the communist red ; we should all work towards a future where the next generation do not have to think about caste and such nonsense. PS Swapna: Sree Chithira thirunal is held in high esteem and the temple entry proclamation is to this day considered a very important step in the right direction in our history.
Also let me add that it wasn't a decision that came about easily as he had a lot of agitating communities that made it impossible for him not to do it. Not in any way diminishing hat he did. May 31, at PM. In a nutshell, we as Menons and Nairs, are deprived of opportunities in education, government jobs and government promotion lists but we have the right to die out of frustrations arising out of govt discrimination.
Fact is that Menons in Kerala are denied jobs, education and promotions at every point. So what? We have social respectability, as if that can pay our bills! In reality nairs or menon are the shudras in kerala and they just converted in to upper caste by serving brahmins. Second thing is that, who told you that these shudras are denied jobs?
In fact they are the one who enjoys almost all the higher posts in kerala. I think she do not know about these things. If you married to a thiyya it is not a big deal. They have their own schools ,colleges. They have lands from land reforms and these lands were denied to Dalits and Lowe caste people in Kerala. So,dear girl your observations are entirely wrong and have to read more about malayali memorial and ezhava memorials.
Try to do a deep study about nairs and other people in Kerala. If you need any help you can mail me. Discrimination is not facing by you rather you are enjoying the privilege of caste colour and money. Malayalm movies are always related to brahmins and particularly about Nairs and still it continues.
You are the creature of Caste in Kerla Not the Hindus and Muslims,even though they are also practicing it. June 23, at PM. Viswakarma or viswabrahmins are the most superior caste.. Architects and vedic scholars..
July 29, at AM. Prejudice based on caste tile still exists in Kerala. Both these communities have swollen in number mainly due to conversion from the Ezhavas,Arayas and Dalits.
A sprinkling of Nairs and Nambudiris,when they broke the rigid caste rules had to join either of these communities. September 21, at PM. I am a nair and i am proud to say it i belong to a warrior family and i serve nation as a army officer in Indian army and i am not ashamed to put my surname along with my name as a student of history i know what all my forefathers sacrificed specially during the time tipu sulthan invention in kerala north Indians are not as stupid as keralets they keep there surname if you find that you are not fit as nair please do change your caste itself and be a Communist Whis is available only in one state Kerala but dont post all rubbish in web it all happened just because of that horrible Nambodhari EMS , Practice it dont publish it.
September 22, at AM. The caste system is terrible. My parents are against me as I'm willing to marry a ezhava person. M a nair girl. December 1, at AM. December 1, at PM. If economic conditions are good u Will have good social conditions in earlier day's obc sc and st theirs economic conditions wer bad and theirs social conditions sc st people's were considered as untouchables imagine urself in such a condition at least u haven't felt it ri December 10, at AM.
Prad said…. I could really relate to your post on casteism in Kerala. I have felt the same way except that I am way younger than you.
I felt really sad when I couldn't get to a reputed college because I am a Nambiar whereas my other friends got in the name of OBC. I am not against positive discrimination. But I felt like it was a curse to people like me. I used to live in Sharjah and the society was so fine there - I had no idea what my caste was and I even thought "Nair" was a family name. It was when I came to Kerala that I started learning about this ugly truth of caste.
I was a bit angry about this that I was desperate to introduce "Nambiar" to my name. But my father also made me realise just the way your father did.
But this frustration still lingers within me. Glad that I could open up my feelings here. December 21, at PM. Only a small number of families who were Identified as Nairs were in privileged positions before the independence.
The waste majority of Nairs were ordinary servants or doing similar service without any specific trade skills. Also they treated by Brahmins as Shudras and were never allowed to study Vedas. Ordinary Nairs should have been included in the OBC category excluding then privileged nairs like kartha,kaimal,nayanar,thampi etc It was a mistake from then NSS leaders to group all into one for political reasons.
Muslims also had privileged families like thangals and keyis, but Mappilas who formed the majority were included in the Obc category for reservation by Muslim leaders. January 24, at AM. Caste system is so ridiculous and very much offending. Were we all tagged with it while we were born or was it written in our DNA? Why don't we think about the disgrace done to the people in name of lower castes.
When we don't have rights to discriminate any living being which we didn't create, then how can a person discriminate another person? The reservations given to them has wiped only a bit of disgrace done to them and their ancestors. We should have stood in their shoes in order to understand their troubles they had underwent in their past. We speak so much about their reservations but fail to see the tortures laid on their ancestors by our ancestors centuries together. In what way we will pay back?
It is a shame if we can't understand this. March 11, at PM. Having gone through all the comments ,one really gets a bullseye view of how much havoc post truth is wrecking Atleast all those who have wanted to be generous in the name of humanity and love such an overloaded word can realise how futile it was to believe in equality when it is so apparent that the tables shall be reversed given the slightest opportunity. And that is the secret behind the enduring significance and power of caste.
And yes DNA is very much apparent in responses. March 17, at PM. Menon is actually an occupational name. So it doses not only belong to nair caste.
Nair caste is a dependent- servant class to Kerala Namboothirees. That is how they earned the social status "Foreward Caste". April 1, at PM. Prakash P said…. There is caste system in the minds of Muslims and Christians too It is well understood I am a Vaniya by caste from Kannur.
I am educated at Kottayam and after that a Padre who was a friend of me there tried a job for me in a company making rubber based products of our daily usage and automobile related product. He was with good intention to help me as he was knowing me very well.
But the next day he came and asked me my caste saying their management is very particular about caste, they will take a specific group of christians and Brahmins and Muslims. At least a candidate should be a nair and they need school certificates to see before selecting for interview..
I was feeling very much insulted and outrageous I am not belonging to any of these groups they prefer.. Hi I am from Hyderabad. I just read your article just wanted to share what I had observed being a upper caste I am a Nambiar and yeah my family belongs to well known Nambiars in payyanur.
I remember my grandfather had friends of other caste being from Nambiar family we never had a different view on other caste I have seen Muslims and Christians having lunch at my home and we at there place and u mentioned dowry to be frank I never heard about dowry in our place I just clarified when u criticised our part of place never takes dowry and we never appreciate it. I don't no much about kerala or the caste just i said what i had seen on my vacations to kerala and am proud to say after reading all the above comments my family members are are way better there thoughts and all equal.
I am really sorry If I have said anything wrong. June 17, at AM. After the land reforms act, passed by the Communist Govt in Kerala, the tenants Ezhavas in Palakkad became the new Savarnas Upper castes while the previous land owners Nairs and Brahmins became poor and landless. None of the Nairs hold any lands while all the lands are with the OBC groups, who enjoy the land and also the reservation benefits for the OBCs.
I know one Army fellow having 30 acres of land and his son got an officer job in a Bank with a false claim of having an annual income of Rs.
I will not be surprised if in the coming years, some terrorist arises from these deprived people who lost their land, wealth and have no social benefits. June 28, at PM. Someone in the a hove blog said that he being a caste of thiyya is superior to all. Let me remind him that don't put such comments in this blog and at least try to think that all are same.
During mys childhood in my taravadu I have seen all our servants working were from thiyya community and they used to call us kaikkoru which during that time was a new word for me. July 8, at PM. Jeevanrahi said…. Similarly, the Ezhuva community, which had been among the BCs in the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin State, remained a BC in Kanniyakumari district and Shencottah taluk of the erstwhile Tirunelveli district even after the merger of these areas with the erstwhile Madras State.
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