Malayali 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.

The Malayali Brahmins are:

• Namboodiri Brahmins: These are considered the most orthodox Brahmins in all India and they maintained great ritual purity and notions of caste and creed in the past. They are specialised in ancient Tantram rather than Mantram, unlike other Brahmins in India. They were the only Brahmins in Kerala permitted to study the Vedas as well as perform Yagas like Somayaagam,Athiraathram,etc. Namboodiri houses were known as "Illams" or "Manas". The highest family of the Malayali Brahmins is that of Azhvanchery, known as the Azhvanchery Samrat.

The Nambudiri Brahmins also have subclassifications. Of these, the Astragrihathil Aadhyanmaar (8 Elite Families) are considered the most "elite" and have the sole right to perform Yaagam (this title was presented to them by Mezhathol Agnihotri. Other Nambudiris are known as Aasyan, followed by a sect of Nambudiris who do not have the right to learn Vedam, Othilaatha.

• Pohtty Brahmins: This refers to all other Swadeshi Brahmins in Kerala except the Namboodiris. They were mostly found in Travancore kingdom where there were lesser number of Namboodiri families. Their houses are known as "Madhoms" . Most of them had right to study Vedas and they were allowed priestly vocation. Following the Temple Entry Proclamation of Maharajah Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma in 1936, most of these Brahmins adopted the surname of Namboodiri. They are divided as:
  • Pohtty Proper: These were the Pohttys proper found in Travancore mostly. They were further subdivided into two classes, one of which were known as Thiruvalla Desis.
  • Tulu Embranthiris: They are found mostly in Malabar and Cochin and use the surname of Embranthiri.

Moosad and Elayath' Moosad and Elayath are two castes of Kerala. Contrary to common belief, Elayaths (literally, younger ones) and superior in terms of caste to the Moosads (elder ones) and are so called because they are lower than Namboodiri Brahmins whereas Moosads are the highest of Ambalavasis. This is also the reason why Moosads are never priests whereas Elayads are priests in temples and also performed the rituals of Nairs. However both castes follow customs same as the Namboodiri Brahmins.

Podavar Brahmin These Brahmins consume meat and are involved in animal sacrifice at several Kali Temples around Kerala, such as Madayi Kavu. Adikal is the title used by Brahmins at the Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, who are also involved in animal sacrifice.

References

• Travancore State Manual by V.Nagam Aiya
• Malabar Manual by William Logan

See also

• Vishwakarma (caste)
• Nambudiri
• Ilayath
• Vedas
• Kerala
• Travancore
• Kanara