Maniyani (caste)

The Maniyani (also known as Kolaya, Ayar, Iruman in different area) is a Malayalam speaking Yadava community,[1] native to Kerala state of South India.[2] They are also called as Kshatriyas of Kerala[3] and are mainly distributed in Kozhikode, Palakkad, Kannur, Kasaragod and Wayanad districts. Their traditional occupation is tending cattle and selling milk, also engaged in cultivation.[4][5][6]

Maniyani
ClassificationYadava
ReligionsHinduism
LanguagesMalayalam
CountryIndia
Populated statesKerala • Lakshadweep • Puduchery
Related groupsNair

Origin

The Maniyanis are believed to have come from Yadavas and associate themselves closely with god Krishna.[7] They are called as the Kshatriyas of Kerala and are also related to Nair community. Royal kingdoms in Kerala including Thiruvithamcore and Kolathiris originated from Yadava or Vrishni lineage.[8] Some received the royal title of Varma after performing a ritual, Hiranyagarbha.[9]

Social Life

The majority of the Maniyanis are concentrated in the districts of Kannur and Kasaragod.[10] They follow similar birth, marriage & death customs and rituals like other Nair sub-castes. Even though they practice endogamy, they rarely do intermarry with other castes like Nambiar, Payyanur Poduval and Vaniyan-Vattakad Nairs.[11]

Kannangattu bhagavathi is the tutelary deity of Maniyanis. Kannangattu bhagavathi has permanent place in every Muchilot Bhagavathi temple since Maniyanis have special brotherly relationship with Vaniyan-Vattakad Nairs. Maniyanis also perform Poorakkali in Muchilot bhagavathi temples.

Reference
  1. J. N. Singh Yadav (1992). Yadavas Through the Ages, from Ancient Period to Date. Sharada Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-85616-03-2.
  2. J. N. Singh Yadav (2001). Yadavas of South India. Yadava Publications.
  3. "Kerala". yadav history. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  4. "Ethnic Communities of Kerala". totem. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  5. "www.ecoi.net" (PDF).
  6. "LIST OF SCHEDULED CASTES IN THE KERALA STATE". Kerala Public Service Commission. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  7. T. Madhava Menon; International School of Dravidian Linguistics (2002). A handbook of Kerala. International School of Dravidian Linguistics. ISBN 978-81-85692-31-9.
  8. Aiya, V. Nagam. The Travancore State Manual. Vol 1. Part 2. Trivandrum: The Travancore Government Press, 1906
  9. "Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma of Travancore".
  10. "www.ecoi.net" (PDF).
  11. P Radhakrishnan (1983). Land Reforms and Social Change: Study of a Kerala Village.


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