Nayanar (Nair subcaste)

For other uses of the name, see Nayanar (disambiguation).

Nayanar (meaning "the Nayar") is an honorific title used by sub-castes of the Nair community from North Malabar, India. The word Nayanar is believed to have originated from the word "Nayanmar" meaning "Nairs", which is a title of nobility. Nayanar families are mostly seen north of the river Korapuzha. Like other North Malabar (Kannur and neighboring districts) Nairs, Nayanars earlier claimed a higher status to Nairs of South Malabar (Kozhikode and neighboring districts).^[1]

Nayanar (Nair subcaste)

Regions with significant populations
North Malabar
Languages
Malayalam
Religion
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Nambiar (Nair subcaste), Kurup (Nair caste), Nair

The Nayanar title is mostly given to prominent Nambiar families by the Chirakkal Raja. They sometimes have interchangeable surnames like Nambiar and Kurup. Samantha Nairs of South Malabar, Kaimals of Cochin, and Pillais of Travancore are considered similar castes to Nayanars.^[2]

Position in society

The Nayanars were Samanthans, Kiryathils, Illathu Nairs and Naduvazhi (chiefs of chiefdoms and aristocrats) and Jenmimar (landed gentry).^[3]

See also

• North Malabar
• Kannur district
• Korapuzha