Kettilamma was the title held by the Nair consorts of the principal ruling Rajahs of Malabar (Northern Kerala) in pre-democratic feudal Kerala.[1] Similarly, Nair consorts of the Maharajahs of southern Kingdoms of Kerala namely Cochin and of Travancore were known as Nethyar Amma and Panapillai Amma respectively.[2] The form of marriage was Sambandham and was referred to as Pattum Vala, after which she assumed the honorific title of Kettilamma.
Famous
- K. M. Kunhulakshmy Kettilamma (1877–1947) born in Kottayam, in Malabar, was a renowned scholar in Sanskrit and Malayalam. Her major work in Sanskrit was Prarthananjali.[3] Among her Malayalam books were Savitrivrittam, Puranachandrika and Kausalyadevi. She edited the women's magazine Mahilaratnam.
- Avinjyat Kunjani Kettilamma was one of the two consorts of Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja[4] was famous for having faithfully accompanied the Raja even into forests during his gureilla war and was captured as a sick woman by British in 1805.
- Purameri Devaki Kettilamma was famous for her donations to the Satyagraha committee during Indian freedom struggle.