Guptan (Malayalam: ഗുപ്തന് ) is a Hindu caste from the Palakkad district of Kerala, South India. The majority of the Guptans are in Valluvanad, with major agglomerations around Vayillyamkunnu, Katambazhippuram, Sreekrishnapuram, Chethallur and Mannarkkad. Many Sanskrit scholars and popular astrologers originated from this community.
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The name Guptan is derived from the Sanskrit word Gupta "protected, secret".[1] It also denotes the position in society.[2]
Guptans belong to Kailasa Gothram.[3] Agriculture and business were their traditional ways of earning a living in times past. They follow Makkathaayam traditions and the after death pollution time (Pula )for family members is 10 days.
Male members are identified by their family (Tharavad) name and female members move in with their husband's family after marriage and keep the husband's family name. The title "Guptan" is common after middle age. Married female members were earlier addressed as "AkathaaL" (in short as "Thaal" - means the person lives inside the house)and with time, the suffix transformed to "Ammal" and later to Amma and Gupta.
There are some details available about the origin of this community - in 'KOTTICHEZHUNNALLATH'[4] (The first programme used to be conducted by Samoothiri(Zamorin) kings after swearing on ceremony of each Eralppad- second in command - to establish their control over the region.The last KOTTICHEZHUNNALLATH was believed to be held in 1909 ). It points to the era way back to 13th- 14th century which says about the asylum of a minister and his men from a local kingdom in the bank of river Kaveri of then Cholamandalam - to the king of Calicut (Kozhikkode) - The dispute arose from the decision of local king to marry the clever daughter of the minister who had found out a solution for a burning issue which was haunting the minister for days together. The legend - The issue was to make a necklace within 41 days, by a bowl of special pearls which was gifted by some traders to the king. Being curved holes inside, many had tried and failed. The intelligent daughter of the minister in her teenage could succeed in it with the help of some ants by using a ghee applied thread. Impressed up on the intelligence of the girl, the king wanted to marry her, but the local king being inferior in caste, the minister and his fellows were not happy. The angry king gave ultimatum for accepting the marriage or all vaisyas to leave the kingdom. Around 7,200 vaisya families left choladesam and were segregated in nine groups and travelled towards west including cheranaadu. As they had a bitter experience of living in a kingdom where they could not get the justice from their king, they decided to settle in a Desom(place) where the ruling king has got vision and justice. To know that, they used to present a pot filled with golden powder inside but a layer of sugar on top. They were habitual to sit in front of the king and after giving the pot, they request the king to give them land for living. Normally the kings used to reject their request by thinking it was foolish to give them land in lieu of sugar. Finally they have reached to Walluvanad area and approached Samoothiri (Zamorin) of Kozhikkode (Calicut)for land. They had the same test with Zamorin. But King Zamorin got annoyed of their sitting and asked his minister " Mangattachan" to check the pot. After finding the golden powder in the pot Zamorin appraised of their cleverness but to check their integrity, asked them to come again next day. To test them, Zamorin made the sitting place muddy but they again sat there after spreading a cloth, though it was muddy. After this, the king understood it was not that they did not want to respect the king but it was their habit . Impressed up on their intelligence and straight forwardness, Samoothiri gave permission to build 'nagarams' (at places they liked) and sent pathinaayirathil nair - The chieftain who can arrange that much warriors on demand by zamorin - along with them and asked them to meet the king after construction of their Kuladevatha temples. They built four 'nagarams' called Puthanangadi, Thiruvazhiyode, Mangod and Vayillyamkunnu (current names Chethallur, Thiruvazhiyode / sreekrishnapuram, Mangod and Katampazhippuram respectively) for cultivation and trade. After construction of temples, they met samoothiri along with their acharya. Impressed by the acharya's sivapooja and devotion, Samoothiri gave more land and arranged adiyantharakkar for them (the temple constructed for those adiyanthirakkar - "kammalasserykkaavu" is still there near Thiruvazhiyode)[5] but as per the local tradition, samoothiri restricted the wearing of poonool (the sacred thread) to upanayanam & marriage time only and later the tradition has been discontinued.
It is believed that the groups mainly consisting of Guptans along with members of Tharakan community reached valluvanad were of Eralpuram , Adithyapuram, Paschimapuram & Ramapuram nagarams under the leadership of the minister SANKARA NAYANAR ( belonging to Eralpuram nagaram)and they took their kuladevatha (Goddess) Bhagavathy and acharya Gyanasivacharya along with them.. The senior most member of the "Sankarath" family in Thiruvazhiyode (near Ottappalam in Palakkad District of Kerala )is still holding the title Nayanar and they are one of the "ooralan"s to the "Thiruvaraykkal" Bhagavathy Temple. Thiruvazhiyode nagaram was considered the "Melnagaram" among the four nagarams and the tradition of giving "Nagarappanam" to Thiruvazhiyode group during marriage (if any one of bride-groom is from Thiruvazhiyode)was followed in earlier days. This ritual was to mark respect for the "Aadi Nayanar".[6]
The name Guptan was assigned to this group belonging to valluvanad region, by Zamorin(being vaisya and part of "Thraivarnnikam" ) through Punnasseri Nambi Neelakanta Sharma (earlier addressed as Moothan(Moothavan meaning elder)[7] and sometimes as Ezhssan(Ezhuthachan), Menon (Melavan - a position in village), Andaar (Andavan), etc.). The title was initially started using at Punnassery Namby Gurukulam (Saraswathodyodini), Pattambi where prominent Sanskrit scholor and astrologer CK Krishna Guptan was the beloved disciple of Sri Nambi . Later Guptans became part of the history of valluvanadan area. DESAYANAM published by samabhavini books - which narrates the history of Vayillyamkunnu desam of pre-independence era - gives more details about Guptans and their history.
As Guptans are of Kailasa Gothram, it is considered that they belong to "Saivite" group. And Durga(Parasakthi)of "Ardhanareeswara" concept of Lord Siva was predominant and reflected in their traditions and customs. "Saktheya" upasana was very common in Guptan families in olden days. It was a tradition to conduct Saktheya pooja (Bhuvaneswari pooja)once in a year in each family earlier, for overall prosperity and still some families are following this tradition. Suryanarayanan Ezhuthachan[8] and his nephew Devaguru - Thunchan's beloved disciples- were performing Saktheya pooja and their successors of Chozhiyath family of Mangalamkunnu (near Ottappalam ) perform Saktheya poojas even now.The usage of Thunchath, Chozhiyath, Chokkath by locals were popular in this area till second half of 20th century.
In the family goddess (paradevatha) concept, each Guptan family is attached to one of the three Bhagavathi Temples , viz. Panamkurussi( Chethallur ) , Vayillyamkunnu( Kadampazhippuram) and Thiruruvaraykkal ( Thiruvazhiyode ) situated in erstwhile valluvanad area of the Palakkad District. Vayillyamkunnu Bhagavathy temple is considered as one of the three Thirumandhamkunnu Temples along with Angadippuram & Kongad,.[9] A story related to Samoothiri( Zamorin ) about the power of Panamkurussy Bhagavathy on the way to Karimpuzha is still popular in Chethallur area. The other Nagara temple of "Mangode" is attached to related community "Tharakan". Moothans of Palakkad town & Mannadiyars of Nenmara & Kollengode are other similar community groups related to them. Though there are slight differences in traditions and customs and the legend behind the origin of Guptans from these groups, marriages are taking place between them nowadays.
Guptan population is spread within Palakkad district only. The major pockets being Katampazhippuram, Mangalamkunnu, Thiruvazhiyode, Punchapadam, Sreekrishnapuram, Mannampetta, Pulappetta, Peringode, Kongad, Karimba, Karakurussi, Pallikkurup, ThachamparaMannarkkad, Thachanattukara, Attasseri, Edathanattukara, Chethallur,etc.
Guptans were traditionally farmers and agriculture was their main way of earning livelihoods in olden days. Families without even a small paddy field was very rare in those times . The cross section of the community was a blend, ranging from poor farmers to big feudal land lords. Most of their houses were called "Kalam" (കളം)which means the place for after - harvesting activities of paddy. After the land reforms, the attraction of agriculture was in the downward trend and some have shifted to plantation field and later focused on education, business and service sectors. Teaching was the most popular profession in earlier days among the community and many prominent Teachers with their proud disciples had positively contributed towards the improvement of their community as well as the society in general. Today's generations are more focused on professional education and many have excelled in the fields of Engineering, Medical Science, Robotics, Space Technology, Computer Software, etc. But there is almost a vacuum in the area of political and civil administration.
Food habits of Guptans are a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Though many women still prefer to be vegetarian but men are mostly non- vegetarians(mainly fish & chicken). Other than the normal Hindu festivals like Onam, Vishu& Thiruvathira, another special festival related to Onam, 'POTTA THIRUVONAM' (on the day of Thiruvonam star coming in the malayalam month of 'thulam') used to be celebrated in olden days mainly for showing the sister's affection to their brothers - similar to the concept of Rakhi of North India. One major occasion of family get together of these groups are during the annual temple 'pooram'(പൂരം) festival of their respective paradevatha temples.
Guptans' marriage related processes start from "Ashtamangalyam" (അഷ്ടമംഗല്യം) function- the engagement at bride's residence. After horoscope matching, on the day of "Ashtamangalyam", a "Thamboola Prasnam" - astrological prediction based on Beettle leaves and Deepam (oil lamp) - will be conducted as a ritual and results of the "Prasna" will be interpreted to all relatives assembled there.(This is to take remedial measures and precautions for hurdles foreseen in the future married life, if any.). Other customs connected to this function are tying of horoscopes of bride & groom together symbolically for the fixation of marriage and "Pon veykkal" ( presenting Gold ornament to bride)by Groom's relatives (normally sister of groom) followed by feast. Dowry system is not in this community and rather a tradition of giving ONAPPUDAVA (ഓണപ്പുടവ) - giving clothes - by groom to the relatives (of both bride & groom) is still followed during marriage as part of taking blessings from elders.
Marriage is normally called "PAANIGRAHANAM" ( പാണീഗ്രഹണം )and it is a simple function nowadays (earlier marriage was eventful for four days and groom used to travel to bride's house on an elephant). Today's marriages are for one day and some major customs still followed are "AYIRU UNNAL(AYINIOONU)- having a feast (for groom and his aid, normally brother-in-law)before starting from the house, KUDA PIDIYKKAL - groom's aid will hold umbrella till they reach bride's house irrespective of the weather and "Nadhaswaram" - treated as sacred music will be accompanied , THALAPPOLI - receiving function at bride's residence(marriage hall)by girls with a tray of flowers and oil lamp, KAALU KAZHUKAL - Bride's younger brother will clean the groom's feet while receiving him to the mandapam, THALIKETTU (solemn Vow)- Tying the thali chain in the bride's neck and exchange of rings there after , PAANIGRAHANAM (accepting the bride by taking holy vows)- Bride's uncle( or father)will perform the "kanya daanam" by keeping the hand of bride into the hand of groom and AGNI PRADHAKSHINAM - after holding the hands mutually by a knot of their small fingers, groom and bride together move around the "Vivaha-homa agni"-the sacred fire.
Kaikottikkali, an important art form by women folk used to be performed in bride's house(previous night of starting of the marriage) and groom's residence (on the final day of marriage after receiving bride & groom )in olden days. Elite class used to conduct Kathakali too. 'Palum Pazhavum' ( feeding sweet milk and banana after marriage) and 'Kavukeral'( visiting their respective paradevatha temples after 7 days of marriage) are other customs related to marriage.
On birth of a child in the family, the main rituals are 'Irupathettu' - the first birth day (star) as per lunar calender (28th day after birth) and 'Choroon' (ചോറൂണ്)- first feeding of food (annaprasam)in 6th month along with child's naming ceremony. Shashtipoorthy (ഷഷ്ഠിപൂര്ത്തി)- 60th birthday & Sathabhishekam(ശതാഭിഷേകം)- seeing of 1000 full moon/84th birth day, are celebrated widely .
Guptans observe 10 days of defilement (pula- after death pollution time). After cremation (buriel in olden days), the eldest son will follow deeksha for these days (or for a mandalam - 41 days or an year). On 9th day is 'Athazha oottu' and on 10th day , 'Sanchayanam' - collection of bones of the demised person- followed by 'Baliitharppanam' by 'seshakriyakkar' . 'Nimanjanam' of the collected bones will be done at Thirunelli , Thirunavaya or in a near by river on 10th day or after an year.
Vayillyamkunnu was one of the major cultural centers in south malabar during pre-independence era due to the excellence of many Sanskrit scholars in the area. It is believed that great Thunchan & Sree Punnassery Nambi had blessed this place because of the presence their beloved disciples. The community has produced a number of Sanskrit scholors in the past. " Balasubhodini" of vayillyamkunnu under CK Krishna Guptan (also known as Kutty Ezhuthachan )was the nodal center for Sanskrit education in that region ( later grown as Oriental college of Sanskrit under Madras university and closed down in 1947 due to shortage of students.
Guptans were mingled well with other communities in the region and they are not organized well as a community ,earlier as well as today. Some initiative took place in the direction of caste cohesion during 1980s when 'Arya Vaisya Samajam' was launched and later it became 'Guptan Sevana Samajam' and it works for the welfare of the members by promoting academic excellence,etc. 'Aryayogam Matrimonial Services' is another initiative in the social front today.
