Maniyani (caste)


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

Maniyani
മണിയാണി
ClassificationYadava
ReligionsHinduism
LanguagesMalayalam
CountryIndia
Populated statesKerala • Puduchery
Related groupsNair • Nambiar

OriginEdit

The Maniyanis are believed to have come from the ancient Yadava clan and associate themselves closely with the god Krishna.[5] They are believed to have settled in the northern part of Kerala after having migrated from Tulunad. Royal kingdoms in Kerala including Travancore and Kolathiris are said to be originated from Yadava or Vrishni lineage[6]

Social lifeEdit

The majority of the Maniyanis are concentrated in the districts of Kannur and Kasaragod.[7] 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 Vaniya-Vattakad Nairs.[8]

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 Vaniya-Vattakad Nairs. Maniyanis also perform Poorakkali in Muchilot bhagavathi temples.[9][10] Maniyani community is classified under OBC (Other Backward Classes) by the Government of Kerala[4]

ReferencesEdit

  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. "www.ecoi.net" (PDF).
  4. 4.0 4.1 "LIST OF SCHEDULED CASTES IN THE KERALA STATE". Kerala Public Service Commission. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  5. T. Madhava Menon; International School of Dravidian Linguistics (2002). A handbook of Kerala. International School of Dravidian Linguistics. ISBN 978-81-85692-31-9.
  6. Aiya, V. Nagam. The Travancore State Manual. Vol 1. Part 2. Trivandrum: The Travancore Government Press, 1906 [1]
  7. "www.ecoi.net" (PDF).
  8. P Radhakrishnan (1983). "Land Reforms and Social Change: Study of a Kerala Village". Economic and Political Weekly. 18 (52/53): A143–A150. JSTOR 41626951.
  9. Adoor K. K. Ramachandran Nair (1986). Kerala State Gazetteer. State Editor, Kerala Gazetteers. ISBN 978-81-85499-36-9.
  10. "Poorakkali". Home. 2020-04-12. Retrieved 2021-07-15.