Ambalavasi
Encyclopedia
Ambalavasi is a generic name for a collection of castes among Hindus in Kerala
who render temple services.
The temples in which they worked comprised four basic types:
The Ambalavasis were broadly classified into two groups; the sacred thread wearing castes and the non-threaded castes.
Among the former are included Moosad, Chakyar
, Nambiar
, Pushpakas
(i.e., Unni
, Nambeesan
, Nambidi
etc.), Ilayathu, Adikal
etc. The people of these threaded castes undergo Upanayana ceremony
, wear the sacred-thread called "Yajñopavītam
" or Pūnūl, and adhere to Gayatri mantra
. They are known as Yajñopavītadhārīs.
The latter include Variyar
s, Pothuval
s, Pisharody
s, Marars, and Kurup
s.
Each of the Ambalavasi castes claims to be greater than the other, but historically speaking they all had more or less equal status. Wearing the sacred-thread doesn't mean that the former is a greater caste. It can be said that Mūttatu headed the threaded while Pisharody headed the non-threaded Ambalavasis.
The major profession of the Ambalavasis is assistance in temples. In general, it is known as "Kazhakam". Each of the castes in the Ambalavasi community was associated with specific jobs and had fixed duties to perform. Even though they were temple employees, they were not aristocratic like the Nambudiris and Nairs. In the past they resided in their quarters with in the premises of temple and were sustained by the temple. The main ceremonials in the temples were carried out by the Nambudiri priests while assisting them was the duty of the Ambalavasis. The Ambalavasis were never allowed to enter in the Sree Kovil of the temple.
The Ambalavasis, specially the Pushpakans and the Pisharodys, were masters of the Sanskrit
language. They worked as teachers in Pathasalas associated with Temples.
In addition, most of the Ambalavasis were the performers of various temple related arts, such as Koodiyattam
, and Thullal.
Other than their services in the temple the Ambalavasis were the priests for other castes. including the Mūttatu, Ilayatu, Nambidi and Nambeesans conduct various religious sacrifices for Nair
s, though not in the temples. The Marars conduct the birth, wedding and death ceremonies of Nair subcastes in Travancore
. Elayatu is the traditional priest of Nairs who conduct the after-death rites for them in Malabar and Cochin
.
A brief description of each of these castes are given below:
s. As such, the caste is generally considered as an intermediate caste between those two groups. They are also known as Arddhabrahmanar, which means "semi-Brahmins".
There are various sub-castes within the Pushpaka caste. These include Nambeesans, Unnis, Nambis, Pilappallis, Daivampatis and Nambidis. The surname Nambeesan is used in North Kerala while Unni is used in South Kerala. In the Middle Kerala, both are common.
Pushpakas males served as teachers in Pathasalas, as assistants to the main priest and as lamp-bearers (vilakkeduppukaar), while females served as garland makers and as cleaners of inner cortyard of temples.
According to the Parasurama myth, the warrior sage Bhargava Rama is said to have brought a group of Brahmins to Kerala of which 64 families were allowed to conduct the ceremonies in the temples. They became the Nambudiris. The remaining families of Brahmins became their assistants and were not allowed inside the Sree Kovil or main shrine of the temple. They came to known as Pushpaka Brahmins because their work was associated mainly with flowers.
and were the priest of the Nairs.
The word "Variyar" originated from Tamil and means a person who maintains books of account. In the pre-Nambudiri era of Keralam, the agricultural property of every village belonged to a village temple. There was an elected committee to administer the temple and the properties. The Manager or Accountant of this committee was called Variyar, and he was accountable to the Committee. Managing the temple and providing materials required for "nivedyam," cleaning vessels used for the preparation of "nivadyam" and "puja", daily maintenance of the temple premises, etc., were responsibilities of the Variyar's family. Warrier ladies were known as Warasyars.
They are Hindus who converted from Buddhism
in the period of Sankaracharya. The origin of the name is traced from the name Bhikswaradiakal, associated with Buddhism in Kerala. Pisharody ladies were known as Pisharasyars or Sharasyars.
Another story says that the Pisharodys have originated from a Brahmin who was on the verge of becoming a Sanyasin as per the then existent customs but ran away in the last moment. That is also the reason why Pisharodys did not burn their dead.
during temple festivals.
Ambalavasia are traditional players of musical instruments such as Chenda
, Udukk, Idakka
, Mizhavu
etc.
s burn their dead. Their priests are either Nambudiris or the more orthodox among themselves. They offer Deeksha for a year. Pollution generally is observed only for twelve days, may extend to thirteen or fourteen, but never sixteen as in the case of the Sudras.
However, there are some differences in the customs of "sacred thread wearing ambalavasis" and non-threaded ambalavasis.
For the Yajnopaveetadhari Ambalavasis, many customs are similar to the Namboodiris though not exactly the same. While Nambudiris follow 16 samskaras, these Ambalavasis follow only 12. While Nambudiri women wear only white dress at the time of marriage, it is not allowed for these Ambalavasi castes.
Likewise the non-threaded Ambalavasis followed most of the Nair customs and traditions though not exactly the same. They follow Marumakkathayam
(matriarchal system) law of inheritance. Period of pollution after births and deaths for the Ambalavasis is usually lesser than that of the Nairs, though not always (For example, higher ranking Nair Nambiars have a death pollution period of 12 days, while Marars have a death pollution period of 16 days).
mantra and they possess various gotra
s. The gotras include Vasishta, Gautama, Atreya
, Kashyapa, Bharadvaja, Viswamitra
and Agastya
.
Each gotra has distinct pravaras. A list of major Gotras and Pravaras among the Brahmins of Ambalavasi community follows:
Marriages within the gotra ("swagotra vivaha") are banned under the rule of exogamy
in the traditional matrimonial system. People within the gotra are regarded as kin
and marrying such a person would be thought of as incest
. Since it is believed that gotra membership passed from father to children, marriages were permitted between cross-cousins (children of brother and sister). Thus, a man is allowed to marry his maternal uncle's daughter or his paternal aunt's daughter, but is not allowed to marry his paternal uncle's daughter or maternal aunt's daughter, i.e. a parallel-cousin, who is treated as a sister. This dubious explanation of gotra based marriages has long been a source of discontentment and criticism amongst present day Ambalavasis.
The non-threaded Ambalavasis generally do not possess a Gotram. However, some of the non-threaded Ambalavasis claim that they belong to different Gotras. For example,the Pisharodys claim that they belong to the Vaikuntha Gotram and the Warrier
s claim that they belong to the Kailasa Gotram as they are mentioned in the Keralolpathi text as Vaikuntha Vasis and Kailasa Vasis, respectively.
Brahmins of Andhra, Chithpaavan
Brahmins of Maharashtra, Bhumihar
s of Bihar, Mohyal
of Punjab
, Tyagi
s of West Uttar Pradesh
etc. are Brahmin communities which have the same status of Ambalavasis in Kerala. Besides all, the foreign travellers in Kerala classed the Ambalavasis with the Foreign Brahmins like Konkanastha Brahmins, Iyer
s etc. while making records.
In their caste-professional status, the Ambalavasis are generally categorized as Antaralas, from their occupying an intermediate position between the Brahmins of Kerala on the one hand, and the Sudra on the other. While according to one view they are fallen Brahmans, others, such as the writer of the Keralolpathi
, would put them down as an advance from the Sudras. The rationale of their occupation seems to be that, in accepting duty in temples and consecrating their lives to the service of God, they hope to be absolved from the sins inherited from their fathers. In the case of ascent from lower castes, the object presumably is the acquisition of additional religious merit . The delinquent Brahmin cannot be retained in the Brahmanic function without lowering the standard of his caste. He had, therefore, to be allotted other functions. Temple service of various kinds, such as garland-making for the Pushpakan, Variyar and others, and popular recitation of God's works for the Chakkiyar, were found to hold an intermediate place between the internal functions of the Brahmins and the external functions of the other castes, in the same sense in which the temples themselves are the exoteric counterparts of an esoteric faith, and represent a position between the inner and the outer economy of nature. Hence arose probably an intermediate status with intermediate functions for the Antaralas, the inter-mediates of Hindu Society.
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
who render temple services.
Etymology
The term Ambalavasi is derived from two Malayalam words, being Ambalam (Temple) and Vasi (Inmate). The term Ambalavasi (one who lives in a temple) is a generic name applied to all classes of temple servants in Kerala, and is applied to castes whose occupation is temple service. The treatise Keralamahatmyam speaks of them as Kshetravasinah, which has the same meaning.Castes and professions
The castes which comprised the Ambalavasi community each contained only a few members. They lived in villages either where the land was owned solely by one Nambudiri Brahmin family or where the land was owned by a temple, the running of which was in the control of a group of Nambudiri families. The latter villages were called sanketams.The temples in which they worked comprised four basic types:
- those in sanketams were large and were dedicated to deities which were worshipped throughout India, such as ShivaShivaShiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
and VishnuVishnuVishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
. - private temples, owned by Nambudiri families, which were smaller versions of those found in the sanketams.
- the private temples of the royal lines, feudatory chiefs and vassal chiefs of what is now Kerala, which were dedicated to Bhagavadi and BhadrakaliBhadrakaliBhadrakāli , is one of the forms of the Great Goddess mentioned in the Devi Mahatmyam. In Sanskrit, the word Bhadra means "blessed", "auspicious", "fair", "beautiful", "good", "fortunate", "prosperous"....
- village temples dedicated to Bhagavadi and run by senior Nairs who had been appointed by local rulers
The Ambalavasis were broadly classified into two groups; the sacred thread wearing castes and the non-threaded castes.
Among the former are included Moosad, Chakyar
Chakyar
Chakyar is a Brahmin caste coming under the Ambalavasi community of Hindus in the Kerala state of South India. The women in this caste are called Illotammas....
, Nambiar
Nambiar
-Communities:The name Nambiar applies to several Hindu communities from South India:-Kerala:*Nambiar - the Royal families and the subdivision within the Nair caste from the North Malabar region of Kerala....
, Pushpakas
Pushpaka Brahmin
Pushpaka Brahmins or simply Pushpakas are a class of Brahmins in Kerala. They carry out the various activities of the temple, though not actual priestly activities. Pushpakas lived on the income of the temple and were under its care...
(i.e., Unni
Unni
Unni is used as a first name in and Kerala, India. In Malayalam language, it is also used as an adjective meaning an infant boy. Thus, Unnikrishnan means Lord Krishna in the infant form and Unniyesu means Yesu in the infant form...
, Nambeesan
Nambeesan
Nambeesan is a sub-caste of Ambalavasi. They belong to the Viswamitra Gotram.They wear the sacred thread "Yajñopaveetam" and adhere to the Maha 'Gayatri mantra'....
, Nambidi
Nambidi
Nambidi is a caste from Kerala, which is considered half Brahmin and half Kshatriya. Nambidi is believed to be an artificial caste which came in to existence when a section of the Nambuthiris got degraded or a section of the Nairs got upgraded in the caste system.Nambidis are divided in to two: the...
etc.), Ilayathu, Adikal
Adikal
Adikal is a sub-caste of Ambalavasi Nairs in Kodungallur, Kerala. Women in this caste are known as Adisyaar or as Adiyamma. In Travancore they are known as Adishens or Aadichan Nairs. Aadichans were counted as Nair until the Travancore Census of 1891...
etc. The people of these threaded castes undergo Upanayana ceremony
Upanayanam
Upanayana is the initiation ritual by which initiates are invested with a sacred thread, to symbolize the transference of spiritual knowledge .- Significance of the sacred thread :...
, wear the sacred-thread called "Yajñopavītam
Upanayanam
Upanayana is the initiation ritual by which initiates are invested with a sacred thread, to symbolize the transference of spiritual knowledge .- Significance of the sacred thread :...
" or Pūnūl, and adhere to Gayatri mantra
Gayatri Mantra
The Gāyatrī Mantra is a highly revered mantra, based on a Vedic Sanskrit verse from a hymn of the Rigveda , attributed to the rishi . The mantra is named for its vedic gāyatrī metre. As the verse can be interpreted to invoke the deva Savitr, it is often called Sāvitrī...
. They are known as Yajñopavītadhārīs.
The latter include Variyar
Variar
Warrier is a South Indian, Hindu caste of the Ambalavasi community from Kerala, India. They are engaged to assist the Namboodiri priests in temple-related chores, primarily catering to the floral requirements and daily maintenance of the temple. Variars form an intermediate between Dwija and...
s, Pothuval
Pothuval
Pothuval is a caste of Ambalavasis in Kerala. Ambalavasis are broadly grouped into the sacred thread wearing castes and the non-threaded castes, and Pothuvals belong to the latter group. The males were usually employed as managers, accountants or store-keepers in temples. Pothuval women are...
s, Pisharody
Pisharody
Pisharody is a sub-caste of the Pushpaka Brahmin caste in Kerala. As Vaishnavite Brahmins, Pisharodys were traditionally caretakers of Hindu temples, with temple related jobs and hence clubbed under Ambalavasis...
s, Marars, and Kurup
Kurup
Kurup is an occupational title among the Nairs of Kerala, India. They served as warriors, generals and warlords to kings. It was also a honorific hereditary title dignifying certain Kshatriya clans of Kiryathil Nairs in the Malabar regions...
s.
Each of the Ambalavasi castes claims to be greater than the other, but historically speaking they all had more or less equal status. Wearing the sacred-thread doesn't mean that the former is a greater caste. It can be said that Mūttatu headed the threaded while Pisharody headed the non-threaded Ambalavasis.
The major profession of the Ambalavasis is assistance in temples. In general, it is known as "Kazhakam". Each of the castes in the Ambalavasi community was associated with specific jobs and had fixed duties to perform. Even though they were temple employees, they were not aristocratic like the Nambudiris and Nairs. In the past they resided in their quarters with in the premises of temple and were sustained by the temple. The main ceremonials in the temples were carried out by the Nambudiri priests while assisting them was the duty of the Ambalavasis. The Ambalavasis were never allowed to enter in the Sree Kovil of the temple.
The Ambalavasis, specially the Pushpakans and the Pisharodys, were masters of the Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
language. They worked as teachers in Pathasalas associated with Temples.
In addition, most of the Ambalavasis were the performers of various temple related arts, such as Koodiyattam
Koodiyattam
Koodiyattam or Kutiyattam is a form of Sanskrit theatre traditionally performed in the state of Kerala, India. Performed in the Sanskrit language in Hindu temples, it is believed to be 2,000 years old...
, and Thullal.
Other than their services in the temple the Ambalavasis were the priests for other castes. including the Mūttatu, Ilayatu, Nambidi and Nambeesans conduct various religious sacrifices for Nair
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
s, though not in the temples. The Marars conduct the birth, wedding and death ceremonies of Nair subcastes in Travancore
Travancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
. Elayatu is the traditional priest of Nairs who conduct the after-death rites for them in Malabar and Cochin
Kingdom of Cochin
Kingdom of Cochin was a late medieval Hindu kingdom and later Princely State on the Malabar Coast, South India...
.
| Ambalavasi Castes and their Professions | |||||
| Caste | Male surname |
Female surname |
Profession | House | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pushpakas | Nambeesan Nambeesan Nambeesan is a sub-caste of Ambalavasi. They belong to the Viswamitra Gotram.They wear the sacred thread "Yajñopaveetam" and adhere to the Maha 'Gayatri mantra'.... , Unni Unni Unni is used as a first name in and Kerala, India. In Malayalam language, it is also used as an adjective meaning an infant boy. Thus, Unnikrishnan means Lord Krishna in the infant form and Unniyesu means Yesu in the infant form... , Nambi or Nambidi |
Brahmani, Ittiamma or Amma | Teaching, Lamp works, Floral works, Theeyattu | Pushpakam, Madham or Illam | Pushpakan Unnis are associated with Teaching and Garland Making while Theeyattunnis are associated with Bhadrakali Theeyattu |
| Moosad | Moosad | Manayamma | Performing rituals for Nairs,"vidhyam" | Illam | |
| Ilayathu | Ilayathu | Kunjamma, Illotamma or Amma | Performing rituals for Nair Nair Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala... s |
Illam | |
| Pothuval Pothuval Pothuval is a caste of Ambalavasis in Kerala. Ambalavasis are broadly grouped into the sacred thread wearing castes and the non-threaded castes, and Pothuvals belong to the latter group. The males were usually employed as managers, accountants or store-keepers in temples. Pothuval women are... |
Pothuval | Pothuvalasyar | Accounts and Sopana Sangeetam Sopanam Sopana Sangeetham is a form of Indian classical music that developed in the temples of Kerala in south India in the wake of the increasing popularity of Jayadeva's Gita Govinda or Ashtapadis.-Etymology:... |
Pothuvatt | Poduvals were originally Jains, in the post-vedic period they are converted to Hinduisam. They were originally managers of the temple and the term is derived from Pothu (Common) Aalu (person), meaning a common manager of affairs in the temple |
| Chakyar Chakyar Chakyar is a Brahmin caste coming under the Ambalavasi community of Hindus in the Kerala state of South India. The women in this caste are called Illotammas.... |
Chakyar | Illottamma | Performers of Kooth | Madhom | Nagam Aiya states that they are descendants of Namboodiri Brahmins who were excommunicated for various offences. |
| Nambiar | Nambiar | Nangyar | Temple arts like Tiyattu, Kooth, Thullal | Madhom | Theeyattu Nambiars are associated with Ayyappan Theeyattu and Mizhavu Nambiars are associated with Kooth and Thullal |
| Warrier Variar Warrier is a South Indian, Hindu caste of the Ambalavasi community from Kerala, India. They are engaged to assist the Namboodiri priests in temple-related chores, primarily catering to the floral requirements and daily maintenance of the temple. Variars form an intermediate between Dwija and... |
Varyar | Varasyar | Temple accountants and managers | Varyam, Madom | Varyars were managers in Temples, while their women, Varasyars, were garland makers. |
| Marar | Marar | Marasyar or Amma | Temple music like Sopana Sangeetam Sopanam Sopana Sangeetham is a form of Indian classical music that developed in the temples of Kerala in south India in the wake of the increasing popularity of Jayadeva's Gita Govinda or Ashtapadis.-Etymology:... |
Marath | |
| Adikal Adikal Adikal is a sub-caste of Ambalavasi Nairs in Kodungallur, Kerala. Women in this caste are known as Adisyaar or as Adiyamma. In Travancore they are known as Adishens or Aadichan Nairs. Aadichans were counted as Nair until the Travancore Census of 1891... |
Adikal | Adisyar or Adiyaramma | Performing rituals in Bhadrakali Bhadrakali Bhadrakāli , is one of the forms of the Great Goddess mentioned in the Devi Mahatmyam. In Sanskrit, the word Bhadra means "blessed", "auspicious", "fair", "beautiful", "good", "fortunate", "prosperous".... temples |
Madhom | They are said to have been pure Brahmins initially but were degraded by officiating as priests in temples of Bhadrakali where offerings of sacrificed animals was made |
| Pisharody Pisharody Pisharody is a sub-caste of the Pushpaka Brahmin caste in Kerala. As Vaishnavite Brahmins, Pisharodys were traditionally caretakers of Hindu temples, with temple related jobs and hence clubbed under Ambalavasis... |
Pisharody or Sharody | Pisharasyar or Sharasyar | Temple related activities essentially in Devi temples | Pisharam | Originally Nambudiris who were about to undertake Sannyasa, but ran away at the last moment |
| Kurukkal Kurukkal Kurukkal are a group of Ambalavasis in Kerala.-History:Kurukkals were the people who prepared milk and milk proucts for temples. They mainly belonged to the temples in old southern Travancore temples like Sri Padmanabhaswami Temple, Thiruvattar temple etc. They have relation with the Gurukkal in... |
Kurukkal | Amma | Suppliers of milk and milk-related products to temples | Madhom | |
| Kurup Kurup Kurup is an occupational title among the Nairs of Kerala, India. They served as warriors, generals and warlords to kings. It was also a honorific hereditary title dignifying certain Kshatriya clans of Kiryathil Nairs in the Malabar regions... |
Kurup | Kuruppasyar | Performing kalamezhuthu paattu "kalampaattu" | Kalamezhuthu pattu is performed as part of the rituals to worship and propitiate gods like Kaali, Ayyappan or Vettakkorumakan.This ritualistic art is a common feature of temples as well as noble households. | |
| Pilappalli | |||||
A brief description of each of these castes are given below:
Chakyar
The Chakyar were the highest ranked of the Ambalavasis in ritual terms, along with the Pushpagans. They recited stories from the Puranas.Nambiar
Nambiars were a matrilineal caste whose traditional temple servant role was as players of drums.Pothuval
Pothuvals were a matrilineal caste whose traditional temple servant role was as players of drums.Pushpakas
Pushpagans ranked with the Chakyar and were the gatherers of flowers for the temples. As with the Chakyar and indeed the Nambudiri Brahmins themselves, they were a patrilineal caste. They were seen as low rank Brahmins and showed attributes of both the Brahmins and KshatriyaKshatriya
*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
s. As such, the caste is generally considered as an intermediate caste between those two groups. They are also known as Arddhabrahmanar, which means "semi-Brahmins".
There are various sub-castes within the Pushpaka caste. These include Nambeesans, Unnis, Nambis, Pilappallis, Daivampatis and Nambidis. The surname Nambeesan is used in North Kerala while Unni is used in South Kerala. In the Middle Kerala, both are common.
Pushpakas males served as teachers in Pathasalas, as assistants to the main priest and as lamp-bearers (vilakkeduppukaar), while females served as garland makers and as cleaners of inner cortyard of temples.
According to the Parasurama myth, the warrior sage Bhargava Rama is said to have brought a group of Brahmins to Kerala of which 64 families were allowed to conduct the ceremonies in the temples. They became the Nambudiris. The remaining families of Brahmins became their assistants and were not allowed inside the Sree Kovil or main shrine of the temple. They came to known as Pushpaka Brahmins because their work was associated mainly with flowers.
Muthatu
Muthats, also known as Moosads, were considered as the highest of the Ambalavasi castes and are said to be degraded Brahmins, the cause of degradation being that they tattooed themselves with Shaivite images.Elayathu
The Elayaths were considered as the lowest of Malayali BrahminsMalayali Brahmins
The term "Malayali Brahmins" or "Malayala Brahmananmar" 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....
and were the priest of the Nairs.
Variar
The Variyar (also spelled as Warrier, Varier and Variyar) were temple stewards, and practiced matrilineality.The word "Variyar" originated from Tamil and means a person who maintains books of account. In the pre-Nambudiri era of Keralam, the agricultural property of every village belonged to a village temple. There was an elected committee to administer the temple and the properties. The Manager or Accountant of this committee was called Variyar, and he was accountable to the Committee. Managing the temple and providing materials required for "nivedyam," cleaning vessels used for the preparation of "nivadyam" and "puja", daily maintenance of the temple premises, etc., were responsibilities of the Variyar's family. Warrier ladies were known as Warasyars.
Pisharody
The Psharodis were temple stewards, and practiced matrilineality.They are Hindus who converted from Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
in the period of Sankaracharya. The origin of the name is traced from the name Bhikswaradiakal, associated with Buddhism in Kerala. Pisharody ladies were known as Pisharasyars or Sharasyars.
Another story says that the Pisharodys have originated from a Brahmin who was on the verge of becoming a Sanyasin as per the then existent customs but ran away in the last moment. That is also the reason why Pisharodys did not burn their dead.
Marar
Marars are mentioned in the Jati Nirnayam as among the eighteen castes known as Nairs. However, as they solely engaged in temple service, they were subsequently considered as Ambalavasis as well. There is some controversy whether the higher classes of Marars, known as Asupanis should be considered as Nair or as Ambalavasi. The customs and ceremonies of the Marars are the same as the Nairs of lower subdivisions, including pollution after death for 16 days, though the lifestyle is typically Ambalavasi. Marars were a matrilineal caste and they played the percussion instrument called a chendaChenda
The Chenda is a cylindrical percussion instrument used widely in the state of Kerala, and Tulu Nadu of Karnataka State in India. In Tulu Nadu it is known as Chande....
during temple festivals.
Art Forms
The contribution of Ambalavasis of Kerala to the cultural heritage of India in the fields of art is substantial in every sense. Ambalavasis has through the centuries developed several art forms of a religious or quasi-religious character. The major art forms developed by Ambalavasis are:- KoodiyattamKoodiyattamKoodiyattam or Kutiyattam is a form of Sanskrit theatre traditionally performed in the state of Kerala, India. Performed in the Sanskrit language in Hindu temples, it is believed to be 2,000 years old...
- KoothuKoothuKoothu , means dance or performance in Tamil language, is a folk art originated from the early Tamil country. But more precisely Koothu refers Therukoothu that is street dance or street play since it will be performed village squares. At early age the art of entertainment reached its peak in...
- Thullal
- Thiyyaattu
- Sopana Sangeetam
- BrahmanippattuBrahmanippattuBrahmanippattu is a type of domestic devotional offering performed usually in connection with marriages. Women of Pushpaka Brahmin caste Hindus called Brahmanis or Pushpinis alone are entitled to do it....
- PanchavadyamPanchavadyamPanchavadyam, literally meaning an orchestra of five instruments, is basically a temple art form that has evolved in Kerala. Of the five instruments, four -- timila, maddalam, ilathalam and idakka -- belong to the percussion category, while the fifth one, kombu, is a wind instrument.Much like any...
Ambalavasia are traditional players of musical instruments such as Chenda
Chenda
The Chenda is a cylindrical percussion instrument used widely in the state of Kerala, and Tulu Nadu of Karnataka State in India. In Tulu Nadu it is known as Chande....
, Udukk, Idakka
Idakka
The idakka , also spelt edaykka, is an hourglass-shaped drum from Kerala in south India. This handy percussion instrument is very similar to the pan-Indian damaru. While the damaru is played by rattling knotted cords against the resonators, the idakka is played with a stick...
, Mizhavu
Mizhavu
A mizhav or mizhavu is a big copper drum played as an accompanying percussion instrument in the Koodiyattam and Koothu, performing arts of Kerala . It is played by the Ambalavasi Nambiar community.The drum is played only with hands...
etc.
Customs and practices
Generally all Amabalavais abstain from animal food and intoxicating drinks. Some adopt the Brahmin mode of dress while the others adopt generally the Nair dress. All except the PisharodyPisharody
Pisharody is a sub-caste of the Pushpaka Brahmin caste in Kerala. As Vaishnavite Brahmins, Pisharodys were traditionally caretakers of Hindu temples, with temple related jobs and hence clubbed under Ambalavasis...
s burn their dead. Their priests are either Nambudiris or the more orthodox among themselves. They offer Deeksha for a year. Pollution generally is observed only for twelve days, may extend to thirteen or fourteen, but never sixteen as in the case of the Sudras.
However, there are some differences in the customs of "sacred thread wearing ambalavasis" and non-threaded ambalavasis.
For the Yajnopaveetadhari Ambalavasis, many customs are similar to the Namboodiris though not exactly the same. While Nambudiris follow 16 samskaras, these Ambalavasis follow only 12. While Nambudiri women wear only white dress at the time of marriage, it is not allowed for these Ambalavasi castes.
Likewise the non-threaded Ambalavasis followed most of the Nair customs and traditions though not exactly the same. They follow Marumakkathayam
Marumakkathayam
Marumakkathayam is a matrilinear system of inheritance which was followed by all Nair castes including of Royal Families, some of the Ambalavasis, Arayars, Ezhava, some tribal groups and Mappilas in North Malabar of Kerala state, South India. Unlike other Brahmin families, Payanoor Nambootiris...
(matriarchal system) law of inheritance. Period of pollution after births and deaths for the Ambalavasis is usually lesser than that of the Nairs, though not always (For example, higher ranking Nair Nambiars have a death pollution period of 12 days, while Marars have a death pollution period of 16 days).
Gotras and Pravaras
Of the various castes of Ambalavasis, the Yajñopavītadhāris (sacred-thread wearing Ambalavais) adhere to the GayatriGayatri
Gayatri is the feminine form of , a Sanskrit word for a song or a hymn. Gayatri is a consort of Brahma and the goddess of learning. Brahma married her when there was a need for a companion during a yajna. Brahma had to start the yajna along with his wife...
mantra and they possess various gotra
Gotra
In the Hindu society, the term Gotra broadly refers to people who are descendants in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor. Panini defines gotra for grammatical purposes as apatyam pautraprabhrti gotram , which means "the word gotra denotes the progeny beginning with the son's son"...
s. The gotras include Vasishta, Gautama, Atreya
Atri
This article is about the sage named Attri. See also the gotra named Atri. For the Italian city, see Atri, AbruzzoIn Hinduism, Attri or Atri is a legendary bard and scholar and was one of 9 Prajapatis, and a son of Brahma, said to be ancestor of some Brahmin, Prajapatis, kshatriya and Vaishya...
, Kashyapa, Bharadvaja, Viswamitra
Viswamitra
Brahmarshi Vishvamitra is one of the most venerated rishis or sages of ancient times in India. He is also credited as the author of most of Mandala 3 of the Rigveda, including the Gayatri Mantra. The Puranas mention that only 24 rishis since antiquity have understood the whole meaning of, and...
and Agastya
Agastya
Agastya was a Tamil/Vedic Siddhar or sage. Agastya and his clan are also generally credited with uncovering many mantras of the Rig Veda, the earliest and most revered Hindu scripture, in the sense of first having the mantras revealed in his mind by the Supreme Brahman...
.
Each gotra has distinct pravaras. A list of major Gotras and Pravaras among the Brahmins of Ambalavasi community follows:
| Gothras and Pravaras | |
| Gothra Name | Pravaras |
|---|---|
| Bharadwaja Bharadwaja Bharadwaja was one of the greatest Hindu Arya sages descendant of rishi Angirasa, whose accomplishments are detailed in the Puranas. He was one of the Saptarshis in the present Manvantara; with others being Atri, Vashishtha, Vishvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, Kashyapa.Bhardwaj Rishi was father of... |
Angirasa, Baaryhaspatya Brihaspati Bṛhaspati also known as Brahmanaspati and Deva-guru , is the name of a Vedic deity... , Bharadwaja Bharadwaja Bharadwaja was one of the greatest Hindu Arya sages descendant of rishi Angirasa, whose accomplishments are detailed in the Puranas. He was one of the Saptarshis in the present Manvantara; with others being Atri, Vashishtha, Vishvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, Kashyapa.Bhardwaj Rishi was father of... |
| Kashyapa | Kasyapa, Aavatsaara, Naidruva |
| Vasishta | Vasishta, Maitreya Maitreya Maitreya , Metteyya , or Jampa , is foretold as a future Buddha of this world in Buddhist eschatology. In some Buddhist literature, such as the Amitabha Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, he or she is referred to as Ajita Bodhisattva.Maitreya is a bodhisattva who in the Buddhist tradition is to appear on... , Kundina Kundina Kundina is an ancient Indian city, named as part of Kanishka's territory in the Rabatak inscription. It is thought that is it the locality of Kaundinyapura on the Wardha River in the Amravati Division of Vidarbha, or Berar in Maharashtra, which is an archaeological site identified as a trading city... , Indrapradama, Aabharaswatha |
| Gautama | Angirasa, Gautama, Aayasya |
| Atreya Atreya An Atreya is a descendant of Atri, one of the great Hindu sages whose accomplishments are detailed in the Puranas.The descendents of Atri Rishi use Atreya as their surname just like many other Gotras, or clan names used by the Brahmin community of Hindus in India and Nepal. In Northern India,... |
Atreya Atreya An Atreya is a descendant of Atri, one of the great Hindu sages whose accomplishments are detailed in the Puranas.The descendents of Atri Rishi use Atreya as their surname just like many other Gotras, or clan names used by the Brahmin community of Hindus in India and Nepal. In Northern India,... , Aarchanaasa, Syaavaasva |
| Viswamitra Viswamitra Brahmarshi Vishvamitra is one of the most venerated rishis or sages of ancient times in India. He is also credited as the author of most of Mandala 3 of the Rigveda, including the Gayatri Mantra. The Puranas mention that only 24 rishis since antiquity have understood the whole meaning of, and... m |
Vishwamitra (Kausika), Devarata, Owtala |
| Jaamadagnya Jamadagni Jamadagni is one of the Saptarishis in the seventh, i.e. the present Manvantara. He was a descendant of the sage Bhrigu, one of the Prajapatis created by Brahma, the God of Creation... |
Bhargava Bhargava Bhargava is a common surname in Northern India and Maharashtra, mainly around Nashik. In Maharashtra, it is pronounced as Bhargave instead of Bhargava. It is also used as a first name in parts of southern India.... , Chyavana Chyavana Chyavana was a maharshi in Hindu mythology. He was son of sage Bhrigu and known for his rejuvenation after penances for several years. According to the Mahabharata, he was powerful enough to oppose the Vajra of Indra and was responsible for the Ashvins getting their share of the sacrificial... , Aapthavaana, Jaamadagnya Jamadagni Jamadagni is one of the Saptarishis in the seventh, i.e. the present Manvantara. He was a descendant of the sage Bhrigu, one of the Prajapatis created by Brahma, the God of Creation... |
Marriages within the gotra ("swagotra vivaha") are banned under the rule of exogamy
Exogamy
Exogamy is a social arrangement where marriage is allowed only outside of a social group. The social groups define the scope and extent of exogamy, and the rules and enforcement mechanisms that ensure its continuity. In social studies, exogamy is viewed as a combination of two related aspects:...
in the traditional matrimonial system. People within the gotra are regarded as kin
Kinship
Kinship is a relationship between any entities that share a genealogical origin, through either biological, cultural, or historical descent. And descent groups, lineages, etc. are treated in their own subsections....
and marrying such a person would be thought of as incest
Incest
Incest is sexual intercourse between close relatives that is usually illegal in the jurisdiction where it takes place and/or is conventionally considered a taboo. The term may apply to sexual activities between: individuals of close "blood relationship"; members of the same household; step...
. Since it is believed that gotra membership passed from father to children, marriages were permitted between cross-cousins (children of brother and sister). Thus, a man is allowed to marry his maternal uncle's daughter or his paternal aunt's daughter, but is not allowed to marry his paternal uncle's daughter or maternal aunt's daughter, i.e. a parallel-cousin, who is treated as a sister. This dubious explanation of gotra based marriages has long been a source of discontentment and criticism amongst present day Ambalavasis.
The non-threaded Ambalavasis generally do not possess a Gotram. However, some of the non-threaded Ambalavasis claim that they belong to different Gotras. For example,the Pisharodys claim that they belong to the Vaikuntha Gotram and the Warrier
Variar
Warrier is a South Indian, Hindu caste of the Ambalavasi community from Kerala, India. They are engaged to assist the Namboodiri priests in temple-related chores, primarily catering to the floral requirements and daily maintenance of the temple. Variars form an intermediate between Dwija and...
s claim that they belong to the Kailasa Gotram as they are mentioned in the Keralolpathi text as Vaikuntha Vasis and Kailasa Vasis, respectively.
Social status
Ambalavasis are considered by some as a sub-sect of Brahmins, while others consider them a intermediate class between Brahmins and Kshatriyas. There are similar Brahmin communities found all over India. NiyogiNiyogi
Niyogis are a sect of Hindu Brahmins who gave up priestly occupations and are predominantly Telugu language speakers, from Andhra Pradesh, India.-Theories of origin:...
Brahmins of Andhra, Chithpaavan
Chitpavan
The Chitpavan or Chitpawan, also known as Konkanastha Brahmins , are a Smarta Brahmin community of Konkan, the coastal region of western Maharashtra in India....
Brahmins of Maharashtra, Bhumihar
Bhumihar
Bhumihar or Babhan or Bhuin-har is a Brahmin Hindu community mainly found in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh.- Varna status :...
s of Bihar, Mohyal
Mohyal
Mohyal is the name of an endogamous ethnic group that originates from the Gandhara region and consists of seven Brahmin lineages of that area that left the usual priestly occupation of Brahmins long ago to serve as soldiers and in government services.The...
of Punjab
Punjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
, Tyagi
Tyagi
Tyagi is a surname of North India and Pakistan. There are both Hindu and Muslim Tyagis. Tyāgī is a sanskrit word meaning the renouncer Once localized to Western Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi, they are now also found in Sindh and Punjab provinces of Pakistan due to the...
s of West Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
etc. are Brahmin communities which have the same status of Ambalavasis in Kerala. Besides all, the foreign travellers in Kerala classed the Ambalavasis with the Foreign Brahmins like Konkanastha Brahmins, Iyer
Iyer
Iyer is the title given to the caste of Hindu Brahmin communities of Tamil origin. Most Iyers are followers of the Advaita philosophy propounded by Adi Shankara...
s etc. while making records.
In their caste-professional status, the Ambalavasis are generally categorized as Antaralas, from their occupying an intermediate position between the Brahmins of Kerala on the one hand, and the Sudra on the other. While according to one view they are fallen Brahmans, others, such as the writer of the Keralolpathi
Keralolpathi
The Keralolpathi is a Malayalam work that deals with the origin of the land of Kerala. Shungunny Menon ascribes the authorship of this work to Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, a 17th century scholar of the Malabar region of India. The Keralolpathi is mostly an expansion from an earlier Sanskrit...
, would put them down as an advance from the Sudras. The rationale of their occupation seems to be that, in accepting duty in temples and consecrating their lives to the service of God, they hope to be absolved from the sins inherited from their fathers. In the case of ascent from lower castes, the object presumably is the acquisition of additional religious merit . The delinquent Brahmin cannot be retained in the Brahmanic function without lowering the standard of his caste. He had, therefore, to be allotted other functions. Temple service of various kinds, such as garland-making for the Pushpakan, Variyar and others, and popular recitation of God's works for the Chakkiyar, were found to hold an intermediate place between the internal functions of the Brahmins and the external functions of the other castes, in the same sense in which the temples themselves are the exoteric counterparts of an esoteric faith, and represent a position between the inner and the outer economy of nature. Hence arose probably an intermediate status with intermediate functions for the Antaralas, the inter-mediates of Hindu Society.
Prominent Ambalavasis
- Kottarathil SankunniKottarathil SankunniKottarathil Sankunni is a well known author of Malayalam literature, was born on 23 March 1855 in Kottayam, Travancore. He made huge contributions in both poetry and prose. He died on 22 July 1937. He started compiling the legends of Kerala in 1909 and completed the work in eight volumes over a...
- Malayalam writer; writer of Aithihyamala - Unnayi WarrierUnnayi WarrierUnnayi Variyar Unnayi Variyar Unnayi Variyar (also, Variar/Warrier/Warriar was a poet, writer, scholar, dramatist who lived in Kerala, India during the later part of the 17th century.He gave immense contributions to the art of Kathakali the classical dance-drama form of Kerala...
- author from irinjalakuda, composed nalacharitam in malayalam - Shadkala Govinda MararShadkala Govinda Marar, or was a Carnatic Musician from Kerala, India. He was a contemporary of Saint Tyāgarāja and Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma. He was also adept in playing musical instruments like Chenda, Edakka and Thimila...
- Carnatic musician - Kunchan NambiarKalakkaththu Kunchan NambiarKunchan Nambiar was a renowned Malayalam poet and inventor of the art form Ottamthullal.-Early life:Kunchan Nambiar spent his early childhood at Killikkurussimangalam in Kerala state, south India, his boyhood at Kudamaloor and his youth at Ambalappuzha. Scholars like Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar have...
- inventor of the performing art called Thullal - E. Ikkanda Warrier - Prime Minister of Cochin
- Pisharoth Rama PisharotyPisharoth Rama PisharotyPisharoth Rama Pisharoty was an Indian physicist and meteorologist, and is considered to be the father of remote sensing in India.-Early life and education:...
- physicistPhysicistA physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
and meteorologist - Neralattu Rama PoduvalNeralattu Rama PoduvalNeralattu Rama Poduval or Njaralathu Rama Poduval was an exponent of the ashtapadi/sopanam music form practised in Kerala in southern India...
- SopanamSopanamSopana Sangeetham is a form of Indian classical music that developed in the temples of Kerala in south India in the wake of the increasing popularity of Jayadeva's Gita Govinda or Ashtapadis.-Etymology:...
artist, recipient of kendra sahitya akademi award - K.Karunakaran - former Chief Minister of Kerala
- Manju WarrierManju WarrierManju Warrier is an Indian film actress. She was among the popular lead actress in Malayalam cinema during the mid to late-1990s.She made her debut in Saakshyam...
- Actress - Divya UnniDivya UnniDivya Unni is an Indian actress of Malayalam and Tamil films. She appeared in films like Pranayavarnangal and Bharathan's last movie Churam, in which she acted alongside Manoj K. Jayan. She migrated to the US after her marriage.-Dance career:...
- Actress - Kalamandalam Sankara WarrierKalamandalam Sankara WarrierKalamandalam Sankara Warrier is an acclaimed Indian percussionist of the Kerala ethnic drum called maddalam, and has specialised in its playing for the dance-drama of Kathakali.-Personal life:...
- Kathakali Maddalam Artist - P. Unni KrishnanP. Unni KrishnanP. Unnikrishnan is a Carnatic vocalist and a national award winning playback singer.-Early life and background:Unnikrishnan was born to K.Radhakrishnan and Dr.Harini Radhakrishnan, in Palakkad, Kerala....
- Playback singer - Vaikkath Pachu MoothathuVaikkath Pachu MoothathuVaikathu Paramesvara Sivadvija, popularly known as Vaikath Pachu Moothathu, was a versatile scholar of erstwhile princely state of Travancore...
- Remya Nambeesan - Actress
- Jyothirmayi - Malayalam Actress