Tharavadu
Encyclopedia
Tharavad is a system of joint family practised by people in Kerala
, especially Nair
s. Tharavadu was a legal entity like a Hindu Undivided Family
as per Indian Income Tax laws, and was entitled to own properties. The others, like Namboothriris, Ezhavas, Christians and Muslims also now refer to their ancestral home as Tharavadu. However the Nairs system was very different and was an integral part of their joint-family lifestyle in the bygone era. There was a very complex system of relationships amongst tharavads, which were based on the matriarchal and marriage relationships. The key to a Nair Tharavad was a very prominent temple for forefathers and Serpent Groves.
For communities like Nair
s the Tharavad name is identified through the mother's house, but in some other communities like Namboothiris the names are identified by their fathers' Tharavad.
The Tharavad was administered by a Karnavar
, the senior most male member of the family, who would be the eldest maternal uncle of the family. The members of the Tharavad consisted of mother, daughters, sons, sisters and brothers. The fathers and husbands had only a very minimal role to play in the affairs of the Tharavad. It was a true matrilineal affair. The Karanavar took all major decisions, however, the consent of the eldest female member of the family was obtained before implementing the decisions. This eldest female member would be his maternal grandmother, own mother, mother's sister, his own sister or a sister through his maternal lineage. Since the lineage was through the female members, the birth of a daughter was always welcomed.
A fresh water pond (Kulam) was an essential requirement for the Tharavad for bathing purposes. Daily baths were a must for all. Also, there were many rituals which needed ceremonial bathing.
) revered by those in the particular tharavad. Temple
s were built to honour these deities. A Kalarideivam/devatha or deity presiding over the practice of Kalarippayattu
(martial art form in Kerala) was also honoured.
Every Tharavad had a Sarpa Kavu
(Sacred Grove for Serpents) for the worship of serpent deities. Annual rituals and feasts were ceremonially conducted at the Sarpa Kavus.
The Tharavadu house had a unique Kerala style architecture
with an inner courtyard or many inner courtyards enclosed within the several large buildings built in the traditional Kerala
style, including wells.
A house with one courtyard is a Naalukettu, one with two is an Ettukettu, and one with four courtyards is a Pathinarukettu.
There were specific locations for prayer places, kitchens, storage for grains, living places for women and men - both married and unmarried - in the Tharavad building complex. A NaaluKettu had four sectional buildings, Thekkini (Southern Section), Kizhakkini (Eastern Section), Vadakkini (Northern Section), and Padinjattini (Western Section), around a single inner courtyard. The Thekkini was the abode of the Karnavar. The Vadakkini was for the kitchen and for women. The Padinjattini consisted of bedrooms for the married women. There was a separate Uralppura (Building for Mortar) for rice meshing. This same room was used for separation of women during their menstrual periods.
officiated all the religious ceremonies.
The matrilineal communities had to change with times. Maternal uncles started caring for their own children instead of their nephews and nieces. Fathers took charge of their sons and daughters and the husband and wife started living together with their offspring.
Social reforms spread with modern education. Partition of Tharavadus for individual share (Ohari Bhaagam) happened due to enactments. Tharavadus crumbled. The matrilineal system disintegrated.
The change occurred within a span of 25 years and by 1940s the Tharavadu system of living became a thing of the past. Big Naalukettu and Ettukettu structures began to collapse or were sold off.
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....
, especially 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. Tharavadu was a legal entity like a Hindu Undivided Family
Hindu Undivided Family
Hindu undivided family is a legal term related to the Hindu Marriage Act. Due to the development of Indian Legal System, of late, the female members are also given the right of share to the property in the HUF...
as per Indian Income Tax laws, and was entitled to own properties. The others, like Namboothriris, Ezhavas, Christians and Muslims also now refer to their ancestral home as Tharavadu. However the Nairs system was very different and was an integral part of their joint-family lifestyle in the bygone era. There was a very complex system of relationships amongst tharavads, which were based on the matriarchal and marriage relationships. The key to a Nair Tharavad was a very prominent temple for forefathers and Serpent Groves.
Naming scheme
Each Nair Tharavad has a unique name. As joint families grew and established independent settlements, the Shakhas (branches) modified the names in such a way that the main Tharavad names are identifiable, yet the Shakha (or Thavazhi, i.e. Thay Vazhi which means Through Mother) had a distinct name.For communities like 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 the Tharavad name is identified through the mother's house, but in some other communities like Namboothiris the names are identified by their fathers' Tharavad.
Social structure and rituals
Some Tharavadus were the protectors and rulers of the Desham (region) that they were in and a reporting relationship emerged to a "Naadu Vaazhi" (Ruler of the land). Naadu is a group of Deshams. Since the tharavad had a name of its own, it invested the members with a sense of responsibility to conduct themselves in a manner befitting the traditions.The Tharavad was administered by a Karnavar
Karnavar
Karanavar or Karanavan or Karanava, parsimoniously speaking, was the title of male head in Malayalee and Kodava society.-Kodava:The founder of Kodava Okka was known as "karona"...
, the senior most male member of the family, who would be the eldest maternal uncle of the family. The members of the Tharavad consisted of mother, daughters, sons, sisters and brothers. The fathers and husbands had only a very minimal role to play in the affairs of the Tharavad. It was a true matrilineal affair. The Karanavar took all major decisions, however, the consent of the eldest female member of the family was obtained before implementing the decisions. This eldest female member would be his maternal grandmother, own mother, mother's sister, his own sister or a sister through his maternal lineage. Since the lineage was through the female members, the birth of a daughter was always welcomed.
A fresh water pond (Kulam) was an essential requirement for the Tharavad for bathing purposes. Daily baths were a must for all. Also, there were many rituals which needed ceremonial bathing.
Religious traditions
Each tharavad also has a Para Devatha (clan deityDeity
A deity is a recognized preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers....
) revered by those in the particular tharavad. Temple
Temple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
s were built to honour these deities. A Kalarideivam/devatha or deity presiding over the practice of 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...
(martial art form in Kerala) was also honoured.
Every Tharavad had a Sarpa Kavu
Sarpa Kavu
Sarpa Kavu is a traditional natural sacred space seen near traditional homes in Kerala state of South India. The site is believed to be inhabited by snakes, and the area usually contains a representation of Naga Raja and other Naga Devatas , where offerings and rites are performed during special...
(Sacred Grove for Serpents) for the worship of serpent deities. Annual rituals and feasts were ceremonially conducted at the Sarpa Kavus.
Architecture
Many Tharavad houses were grand and unique in style and architecture, and many tharavads owned temples, schools, other buildings and vast expanses of land. One peculiarity of Nair tharavad in the past was that they were built always quite deep into the landed property owned by the tharavad and almost in the middle of the main property, never at the edges, mainly for security and military strategy reasons. However as the families grew bigger and more homes were built, in recent times, things have changed.The Tharavadu house had a unique Kerala style architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
with an inner courtyard or many inner courtyards enclosed within the several large buildings built in the traditional Kerala
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....
style, including wells.
A house with one courtyard is a Naalukettu, one with two is an Ettukettu, and one with four courtyards is a Pathinarukettu.
There were specific locations for prayer places, kitchens, storage for grains, living places for women and men - both married and unmarried - in the Tharavad building complex. A NaaluKettu had four sectional buildings, Thekkini (Southern Section), Kizhakkini (Eastern Section), Vadakkini (Northern Section), and Padinjattini (Western Section), around a single inner courtyard. The Thekkini was the abode of the Karnavar. The Vadakkini was for the kitchen and for women. The Padinjattini consisted of bedrooms for the married women. There was a separate Uralppura (Building for Mortar) for rice meshing. This same room was used for separation of women during their menstrual periods.
Tharavads of occupational groups
Many occupational groups had their own Tharavads associated with the Naaduvazhi centres. These Tharavdus were centres for imparting various vocational knowledges. These Tharavadus also hosted Bhagavathi temples where the KarnavarKarnavar
Karanavar or Karanavan or Karanava, parsimoniously speaking, was the title of male head in Malayalee and Kodava society.-Kodava:The founder of Kodava Okka was known as "karona"...
officiated all the religious ceremonies.
Deterioraton of Tharavadu system
The socio-cultural changes which accompanied industrialization, modernization and political awakening had its toll on many old institutions.The matrilineal communities had to change with times. Maternal uncles started caring for their own children instead of their nephews and nieces. Fathers took charge of their sons and daughters and the husband and wife started living together with their offspring.
Social reforms spread with modern education. Partition of Tharavadus for individual share (Ohari Bhaagam) happened due to enactments. Tharavadus crumbled. The matrilineal system disintegrated.
The change occurred within a span of 25 years and by 1940s the Tharavadu system of living became a thing of the past. Big Naalukettu and Ettukettu structures began to collapse or were sold off.