Channar
Encyclopedia
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....
till early 20th century. It was used by members of the Ezhava
Ezhava
The Ezhavas are a community with origins in the region presently known as Kerala. They are also known as Ilhava, Irava, Izhava and Erava in the south of the region; as Chovas, Chokons and Chogons in Central Travancore; and as Tiyyas, Thiyas and Theeyas in Malabar...
community and concentrated around Kollam
Kollam
Kollam , often anglicized as ', is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. The city lies on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake on the Arabian sea coast and is situated about north of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram...
and Allappuzha Districts.Tharisapalli plates
Tharisapalli plates
Tharisapalli plates or Tarsishapalli sasanangal are a set of copper-plate grants that were given to the Assyrian Monk Marwan Sr Easho or Iso by Venad ruler Ayyanadikal Thiruvadikal in 849 AD...
issued by the king Ayyanadikal Thiruvadikal of Ay kingdom
Ay kingdom
The Ay was the earliest ruling dynasty of the southern parts of present-day Kerala, south India. The Ay kings claimed descent from Yadavas or Ayar....
at 849 AD promised Mar Sapir Iso the Persian recipient of the plate that Channa Thalai the officers of the Ay kingdom
Ay kingdom
The Ay was the earliest ruling dynasty of the southern parts of present-day Kerala, south India. The Ay kings claimed descent from Yadavas or Ayar....
and Chera Dynasty
Chera dynasty
Chera Dynasty in South India is one of the most ancient ruling dynasties in India. Together with the Cholas and the Pandyas, they formed the three principle warring Iron Age Tamil kingdoms in southern India...
will not harass the immigrant Persian Christians. They were also known as Kollakkar. In Malayalam, channar means Headman, showing their transcendency in the society. Channar was the headman of the village and since they followed Matrilinear system of inheritance, the office were hereditary from uncle to nephews. They were warriors who were engaged in Kalarippayattu
Kalarippayattu
Kalaripayattu is a southern Indian martial art originating in Tamil Nadu but also practiced in contiguous parts of Kerala and Karnataka.Kalari payat includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods...
. They were also called chevannar and hence considered as cognate of the word Chevakar. They even referred in many books written during Sangam period. Even though all Channars were warriors, prior to that some of them were also related to palmyra tree (were coconut growers), but became major traders with the British East India company and other colonists. Some of them even acquired positions as local chiefs from the ruler. The name Olivan Channar (Ezhavan Channar) is found among those trading with the British (Letters to Fort St. George, Vol. XII, No. 89 dated 26 August 1719). Link http://www.keralahistory.ac.in/agrariansociety.htm
This headmen, channar or channan,were also responsible for conducting marriages and presides at all important ceremonies, for which he receives a gift of tobacco.
Among them, Alummoottill channars were part of Kayamkulam Army and were Kalari trainers.http://www.alummoottil.com/Heritage/Article/IndiaToday/Page2.jpg
Other famous channars include Chempakappaly channars, Channars of Mayyanad Link http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape10/PQDD_0023/MQ50688.pdf, Kottoor Pothinikkal Channars of Kaviyoor etc. The female members are called Channaattis. These surnames are not common any more in Kerala.
External links
- India today News 2003 Feature 1 http://www.alummoottil.com/Heritage/Article/IndiaToday/Page2.jpg
- India today News 2003 Feature 2 http://www.alummoottil.com/Heritage/Article/IndiaToday/Page3.jpg
- Alummoottill Website — Link http://www.alummoottil.com
- Kerala History http://www.keralahistory.ac.in/agrariansociety.htm
See also
- ChekavarChekavarThe Chekavar are a caste with origins in southern India, including Sri Lanka, Kerala and some parts of Tamil Nadu...
Another Ezhava warrior sect from kerala