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Ambalavasi is the name of a Kerala community (not to be confused with caste) composed of a number of Hindu castes such as Pushpakas (Unni, Nambeesan, etc.), Chakyar, Moothath, Ilayath, Kurukkal, Warriers, Marar, Nambiar etc. Traditionally, they perform temple related jobs and artforms. , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ... The word Caste is derived from the Portuguese word casta, meaning lineage, breed or race. ... Pushpaka Vimana in Hindu mythology was a vehicle that could fly in the air. ... Unni is a sub-group of Pushpaka Brahmins (also known as Ambalavasi Brahmins) which comes under the Pancha-Dravida regional group of Brahmins. ... Nambeesan is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmins. ... Chakyar is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmin (Ampalavasi)caste of Brahmins in Kerala. ... Moothath (IAST:Mūttatu) (also written as Moothatu, Muttatu, Moosad, Musad) is a Hindu caste in Kerala. ... Ilayath(IAST:Ilayat) (also written as Elayath, Elayathu, Ilayathu) is a Hindu caste in Kerala. ... Kurukkal are a group of Pushpaka Brahmins (Ambalavasis) in Kerala. ... Variar (warrier/warrior) is a South Indian, Hindu sub caste. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The name Nambiar primarily applies to two separate Hindu communities from Kerala: [Nambiar] - Nambiar is a prominent sub caste of Nair, a martial nobility, similar to the Samurai of Japan, hail from northern Kerala. ...

Etymology

The term Ambalavasi is derived from two words namely Ambalam (Temple) and Vasi (Inmate). The members of Ambalavasi community were dwellers and assistants in the Temples. Since they resided in the premises of temple, they came to known as Ambalavasis, meaning Temple-inmates.

Profession

The main profession of the Ambalavasis was assistance in temples. Each caste of the Ambalavasi community had fixed duties to perform. The Ambalavasis had to perform duties known as Kazhakam which was more of maintenance of the temple premises and providing assistance to the Namboodiri priests. The Namboothiris are the Brahmins of Kerala. ...

Castes in the ambalavais community

Ambalavais include various castes like Chakyar, Nambiar, Unni, Nambeesan, Ilayathu, Mūttatu (Moosad), Warrier, Marayar (Marar), Pothuval, Pisharody, Nambidi, Kurukkal, Adikal etc .Each set of people carried out certain jobs. For instance the Chakyars and Nambiars performs the Koothu & Koodiyattam, Warriers were temple administrators, Marayars were the ceremonial musicians, Nambeesans and Unnis were garlend makers and teachers etc. Chakyar is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmin (Ampalavasi)caste of Brahmins in Kerala. ... The name Nambiar primarily applies to two separate Hindu communities from Kerala: [Nambiar] - Nambiar is a prominent sub caste of Nair, a martial nobility, similar to the Samurai of Japan, hail from northern Kerala. ... Unni is a sub-group of Pushpaka Brahmins (also known as Ambalavasi Brahmins) which comes under the Pancha-Dravida regional group of Brahmins. ... Nambeesan is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmins. ... MÅ«ttatu (also written as Moothatu, Muttatu, Moosad, Musad) is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmin (Ambalavasi) caste of Brahmins in Kerala. ... // Variar(Warrier/Warrior) is a south Indian hindu sub caste. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Pothuval (Poduval) is a caste of Pushpaka Brahmins (Ambalavasis) in Kerala. ... Pisharody (also spelled Pisharodi, Pisharoty, or Pisharoti) are a community of Semi-Brahmins of Hindu background, originally from Kerala, India. ... Kurukkal are a group of Pushpaka Brahmins (Ambalavasis) in Kerala. ... Adikal is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmins (Ambalavasis) in Kodungallur, Kerala. ... Chakyar is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmin (Ampalavasi)caste of Brahmins in Kerala. ... The name Nambiar primarily applies to two separate Hindu communities from Kerala: [Nambiar] - Nambiar is a prominent sub caste of Nair, a martial nobility, similar to the Samurai of Japan, hail from northern Kerala. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Mani Madhava Chakyar and his troop performing Thoranayudham koodiyattam ( 1962- Chennai). ... // Variar(Warrier/Warrior) is a south Indian hindu sub caste. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Nambeesan is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmins. ... Unni is a sub-group of Pushpaka Brahmins (also known as Ambalavasi Brahmins) which comes under the Pancha-Dravida regional group of Brahmins. ...

Of the various castes in the Ambalavasi community, the members of the castes like Unni, Nambeesan,Ilayathu, Mūttatu,Nambidi and Chakyar wear the sacred thread "Yajñopavītam"(Pūnūl). They are known as Yajnopaveetadharis. Most of the remaining Ambalavasi castes do not wear the sacred thread. Unni is a sub-group of Pushpaka Brahmins (also known as Ambalavasi Brahmins) which comes under the Pancha-Dravida regional group of Brahmins. ... Nambeesan is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmins. ... MÅ«ttatu (also written as Moothatu, Muttatu, Moosad, Musad) is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmin (Ambalavasi) caste of Brahmins in Kerala. ... Chakyar is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmin (Ampalavasi)caste of Brahmins in Kerala. ... Upanayanam, sometimes known outside India by the name, sacred thread ceremony, is a Hindu rite-of-passage ritual. ...

Each of the Ambalavasi castes claims to be greater than the other, but historically speaking they all had more or less equal status. Wearing the sacred thread doesnt mean that the former is a greater caste. It can be said that Mūttatu headed the threaded while Pisharody headed the non threaded Ambalavasis. MÅ«ttatu (also written as Moothatu, Muttatu, Moosad, Musad) is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmin (Ambalavasi) caste of Brahmins in Kerala. ... Pisharody (also spelled Pisharodi, Pisharoty, or Pisharoti) are a community of Semi-Brahmins of Hindu background, originally from Kerala, India. ...

The major castes in the amblavasi community are listed below.

• Pushpakas (Ambalavasis related to teachng, lamp works and floral works)
  • Nambeesan also spelt as Nambiasan
  • Pushpaka Unni

• Ambalavasis related to Temple Arts
  • Tiyattunnis - related to Bhadrakaali Theeyattu

• Ambalavasis who perform rituals to lower caste Nairs
  • Moothathu
  • Ilayathu
  • Pothuval
  • Pisharodys
  • Adikal

• Ambalavasis related to Temple Arts
  • Tiyattu Nambiars - related to Ayyappan Theeyattu
  • Mizhav Nambiars - related to Kooth and Thullal
  • Marars - temple musicians - related to Sopana Sangeetham.

• Ambalavasis related to temple management
  • Warrier - Accountants - Females of this caste were sweepers of outer cortyards of temples.
  • Kurukkal - suppliers of milk and milk-related products to temples.
  • Pillapalli

A brief description of each of these castes are given below: Pushpaka Brahmin ( Ampalavasi / Ambalavasi ) Pushpaka Brahmins, commonly known as Ambalavasis, are the lower class Brahmins of Kerala. ... Nambeesan is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmins. ... Unni is a sub-group of Pushpaka Brahmins (also known as Ambalavasi Brahmins) which comes under the Pancha-Dravida regional group of Brahmins. ... Unni is a sub-group of Pushpaka Brahmins (also known as Ambalavasi Brahmins) which comes under the Pancha-Dravida regional group of Brahmins. ... Tīyāttu was a traditional dance form performed by the peoples of Unni and Nambiar castes in Kerala. ... Pothuval (Poduval) is a caste of Pushpaka Brahmins (Ambalavasis) in Kerala. ... Pisharody (also spelled Pisharodi, Pisharoty, or Pisharoti) are a community of Semi-Brahmins of Hindu background, originally from Kerala, India. ... Adikal is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmins (Ambalavasis) in Kodungallur, Kerala. ... Nambiar in the context of art forms like Chakyar Koothu and Koodiyattam and similar cultural things refers to the Hindu community in the state of Kerala, India, belonging to the Ambalavasi community, which were generally assigned to various temple duties. ... Tīyāttu was a traditional dance form performed by the peoples of Unni and Nambiar castes in Kerala. ... Nambiar in the context of art forms like Chakyar Koothu and Koodiyattam and similar cultural things refers to the Hindu community in the state of Kerala, India, belonging to the Ambalavasi community, which were generally assigned to various temple duties. ... Guru Padma Shri Mani Madhava Chakyar performing Chakyar koothu Chakyar Koothu (IPA: [ʧaːkjaːr kuːtː̪ɨ̆]) is a performing art form from Kerala, south India. ... Ottamthullal is a type of performing arts from Kerala, India. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... // Variar(Warrier/Warrior) is a south Indian hindu sub caste. ... Kurukkal are a group of Pushpaka Brahmins (Ambalavasis) in Kerala. ...

Pushpakas

Main article: Pushpaka Brahmin

Pushpakas are lower class Brahmins in Kerala. The Pushpaka Brahmins show attributes of both the Brahmins and Kshatriyas. Hence this caste is generally considered as an intermediate caste between Brahmins and Kshatriyas. They are commonly known as Arddhabrahmanar i.e. Semi-Brahmins. The Pushpakans are believed to be the lowerclass of brahmins in Kerala. Although they wear the Yajnopaveetam or the sacred brahminical thread and perform the Upanayanam, they were not considered Brahmins in the true sense of the term, but superior Ambalavasis. Pushpaka Brahmin ( Ampalavasi / Ambalavasi ) Pushpaka Brahmins, commonly known as Ambalavasis, are the lower class Brahmins of Kerala. ... Pushpaka Brahmins, commonly known as Ambalavasi Brahmins, is a caste of Semi-Brahmins in Kerala. ... This page deals with the Hindu varnas. ... , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... This page deals with the Hindu varnas. ... For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya (Hindi: , from Sanskrit: , ) is one of the four varnas, or castes, in Hinduism. ... This page deals with the Hindu varnas. ... Pushpaka Brahmin ( Ampalavasi / Ambalavasi ) Pushpaka Brahmins, commonly known as Ambalavasis, are the lower class Brahmins of Kerala. ... Upanayanam perhaps better known outside India by the name Sacred thread ceremony, is a Hindu rite-of-passage ritual. ... Upanayanam perhaps better known outside India by the name Sacred thread ceremony, is a Hindu rite-of-passage ritual. ... Young Indian brahmachari Brahmin A Brahmin (less often Brahman) is a member of the Hindu priestly caste. ...

There are various sub-castes within the Pushpaka caste. These include Nambeesans, Unnis, Nambis and Nambidis. The surname Nambeesan is used in North Kerala while Unni is used in South Kerala. In the Middle Kerala, both surnames are common. Nambeesan is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmins. ... Unni is a sub-group of Pushpaka Brahmins (also known as Ambalavasi Brahmins) which comes under the Pancha-Dravida regional group of Brahmins. ...

Males of pushpakas served as teachers in Pathasalas, as assistants to the main priest and as lamp-bearers (vilakkeduppukaar), while females served as garland makers and as cleaners of inner cortyard of temples.

As per the famous Parasurama myth, the warrior sage Bhargava Rama (Parasurama) is said to have brought a group of Brahmins to Kerala of which 64 families were allowed to conduct the ceremonies in the temples. They became the Namboothiris. The remaining families of Brahmins became their assistants and were not allowed inside the Sree Kovil or main shrine of the temple. They came to known as Pushpaka Brahmins as their work was associated mainly with flowers. Bhargava Rama was a Brahmin warrior in the lineage of Bhrigus. ... In Hinduism, Parashurama (axe-wielding Rama) is the sixth avatar of Vishnu, and a son of Jamadagni. ... The Namboothiris (Malayalam :നമ്പൂതിരി) are the Brahmins of Kerala, thought to be the most orthodox brahmins in India. ...

Muthatu and Elayathu

The Mūttatu and Elayathu castes performed religious ceremonies for lower class Nairs. Like Pushpakas, they are also regarded as lower class brahmins. MÅ«ttatu (also written as Moothatu, Muttatu, Moosad, Musad) is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmin (Ambalavasi) caste of Brahmins in Kerala. ...

Warrier

Main article: Variar

Variyers were temple administrators. The word "Variyar" has originated from Tamil, meaning a person who maintains the accounts (in short, "Accountant"). In the pre-Namboodiri era of Keralam, the agricultural property of every village belonged to a village temple. There was an elected committee to administer the temple and the properties. The Manager or Accountant of this committee was called Variyar, and he was accountable to the Committee. Managing the temple and providing materials required for "nivedyam," cleaning vessels used for the preparation of "nivadyam" and "puja", daily maintenance of the temple premises, etc., were responsibilities of the Variyar's family. Warrier ladies were known as Warasyars // Variar(Warrier/Warrior) is a south Indian hindu sub caste. ... Accountant, or Qualified Accountant, or Professional Accountant, is a certified accountancy and financial expert in the jurisdiction of many countries. ... The Namboothiris are the Brahmins of Kerala. ...

Marar

Also it may be worth mentioning that in Travancore, the Marars are not typically considered members of the Ambalavasi caste but Nairs. Maaran is the name given to the temple musicians of Travancore, India. ... This article is about a Hindu caste. ...

Pisharody

The Pisharodys have originated from a Brahmin who was on the verge of becoming a Sanyasin as per the then existent customs but ran away in the last moment.That is also the reason why Pisharodys did not burn their dead. Another story about the origin of Pisharodies is that they are the hindus converted from Buddhist religion in the period of Sankaracharya. The origin of the name is traced from the name Bhikswaradiakal, associated with Buddhism in Kerala. Pisharody ladies were known as Pisharasyars or Sharasyars. Pisharody (also spelled Pisharodi, Pisharoty, or Pisharoti) are a community of Semi-Brahmins of Hindu background, originally from Kerala, India. ... This page deals with the Hindu varnas. ... ... Pisharody (also spelled Pisharodi, Pisharoty, or Pisharoti) are a community of Semi-Brahmins of Hindu background, originally from Kerala, India. ... A silhouette of a Buddha statue at Ayutthaya, Thailand. ... Pisharody (also spelled Pisharodi, Pisharoty, or Pisharoti) are a community of Semi-Brahmins of Hindu background, originally from Kerala, India. ...

Classification

Ambalavasis formed an intermediate class between Brahmins and Kshatriyas. There are similar Brahmin communities found all over India. Niyogi Brahmins of Andhra, Chithpaavan Brahmins of Maharashtra, Bhumihars of Bihar, Mohyal of Punjab, Tyagis of West Uttar Pradesh etc. are Brahmin communities which have the same status of Ambalavasis in Kerala. Besides all, the foreign travellers in Kerala classed the Ambalavasis with the Foreign Brahmins like Konkanastha Brahmins, Iyers etc while making records. Young Indian brahmachari Brahmin A Brahmin (less often Brahman) is a member of the Hindu priestly caste. ... A Kshatriya is a member of the military or reigning order, according to the law-code of Manu the second ranking caste of the Indian varna system of four castes, the first being the Brahmin or priestly caste, the third the Vaishya or mercantile caste and the lowest the Shudra. ... Niyogis are a sect of Brahmins and are predominantly Telugu speakers. ... The Chitpavan, Chitpawan, or Konkanastha Brahmins (कोकणस्थ ब्राम्हण) are a brahmin community of Konkan, the coastal belt of western Maharashtra. ... Bhumihar Brahmins (भूमिहर ब्राह्मण), also known as Bhumihars (भूमिहार) are an influential Hindu sub-caste who have traditionally resided in fertile regions of Indo-Gangetic plains of North India, in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. ... Mohyal (Punjabi-Shahmukhi: ﻝﺎﻴﮨﻮﻣ , Punjabi-Gurmukhi: ਮੋਹ੍ਯਾਲ, Hindi: मोहयाल) (alternate spellings include Muhiyal, Muhial, Mhial, Mohiyal or Mahjal) is the name of an endogamous group of seven lineages arising from the Gandhara region. ... , This article is about the Indian state of Punjab. ... , Uttar Pradesh (Hindi: , Urdu: , translation: Northern Province, IPA: ,  ), [often referred to as U.P.], located in central-south Asia and northern India, is the most populous and fifth largest state in the Republic of India. ... Konkanastha is a Sanskrit language term which means a native of the Konkan. ... Iyer (Tamil : ஐயர்) is the common designation given to Tamils from the upper Brahmin caste of Hinduism who are adhere to and sometimes profess the Advaita philosophy propounded by Adi Shankara. ...

Gotras

Of the various castes the Yajñopavītadhāris (Sacred-thread wearing Ambalavais) like Unnis,Nambeesans, Mūttatu etc. belong to the Viswamitra Gotram. They adheres to the 'Gayatri' mantra. Upanayanam, sometimes known outside India by the name, sacred thread ceremony, is a Hindu rite-of-passage ritual. ... Unni is a sub-group of Pushpaka Brahmins (also known as Ambalavasi Brahmins) which comes under the Pancha-Dravida regional group of Brahmins. ... Nambeesan is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmins. ... MÅ«ttatu (also written as Moothatu, Muttatu, Moosad, Musad) is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmin (Ambalavasi) caste of Brahmins in Kerala. ... Brahmarishi Viswamitra or Vishwamitra (Sanskrit: विश्वमित्र, viá¹£vamitra) is one of the most venerated sages of Hinduism. ... A gotra is the lineage or clan assigned to a Hindu at birth. ... Gayatri (Sanskrit: , IAST: ) is the feminine form of gāyatra, a Sanskrit word for a song or a hymn. ...

The non-threaded Ambalavasis belong to Kaushika Gotram and adheres to Panchakshara mantra. However, some of the non-threaded Ambalavasi castes claim different Gotras. For example,the Pisharodys claim that they belong to the Vaikuntha Gotram and the Warriers claim that they belong to the Kailasa Gotram as they are mentioned in the Keralolpathi text as Vaikuntha Vasis and Kailasa Vasisrespectively. Pothuvals donot have a Gotra. A gotra is the lineage or clan assigned to a Hindu at birth. ... Aum Namah Śivāya (IAST transliteration, refer to Sanskrit for pronunciation, Devanagari: ॐ नमः शिवाय) is among the foremost Vedic mantras. ... Pisharody (also spelled Pisharodi, Pisharoty, or Pisharoti) are a community of Semi-Brahmins of Hindu background, originally from Kerala, India. ... Vaikunta is the abode of Lord Vishnu, one of the Trimurti Hindu Gods. ... A gotra is the lineage or clan assigned to a Hindu at birth. ... // Variar(Warrier/Warrior) is a south Indian hindu sub caste. ... Kailasa (also called Kailash) is believed to be the home of Lord Shiva by Hindus, and is a pilgrimage site. ... A gotra is the lineage or clan assigned to a Hindu at birth. ... Pothuval (Poduval) is a caste of Pushpaka Brahmins (Ambalavasis) in Kerala. ... A gotra is the lineage or clan assigned to a Hindu at birth. ...

Services

Ambalavasis were temple employees but they were not aristocratic like the Namboodiris. In the past they resided within the temples in their quarters and were sustained by the temple. They were simple people who lived at the benevolence of the temple. The main ceremonials in the temples were carried out by the Namboodiris while assisting them was the duty of the Ambalavasis. Each of the castes in this community was associated with specific jobs. The Namboothiris are the Brahmins of Kerala. ...

Other than their services in the temple the Ambalavasis were the priests for the lower castes as well. Mūttatu (Muttatu/Moosad), Ilayatu(Elayathu), Nambidi and Nambeesans conducted the various religious sacrifices for the Nairs, though not in the temples while the Marayars conducted the birth, wedding and death ceremonies of lower Nair subcastes in Travancore. Elayatu is the traditional purohit (priest) of Nayars who conduct the after-death rites for them in Malabar. MÅ«ttatu (also written as Moothatu, Muttatu, Moosad, Musad) is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmin (Ambalavasi) caste of Brahmins in Kerala. ... Nambeesan is a sub-caste of Pushpaka Brahmins. ... This article is about a Hindu caste. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article is about a Hindu caste. ...

The Ambalavasis, specially the Pushpakans and the Pisharodys were masters of the Sanskrit language. They worked as teachers in Pathasalas associated with Temples. Pisharody (also spelled Pisharodi, Pisharoty, or Pisharoti) are a community of Semi-Brahmins of Hindu background, originally from Kerala, India. ... Sanskrit ( , for short ) is a classical language of India, a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, and one of the 23 official languages of India. ...

Art Forms

The contribution of Ambalavasis of Kerala to the cultural heritage of India in the fields of art is substantial in everysense. Ambalavasis has through the centuries developed several art forms of a religious or quasi-religious character. The major art forms developed by Ambalavasis are:

• Koothu
• Thullal
• Koodiyattam
• Tīyāttu
• Sopana Sangeetam
• Brahmanippattu
• Panchavadyam

To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Ottamthullal is a type of performing arts from Kerala, India. ... Mani Madhava Chakyar and his troop performing Thoranayudham koodiyattam ( 1962- Chennai). ... Tīyāttu was a traditional dance form performed by the peoples of Unni and Nambiar castes in Kerala. ... Sopanam is a form of Indian classical music developed in the temples of Kerala in the wake of the increasing popularity of the Jayadevas Gita Govinda or Ashtapathi. Sopanasangitham is sung by the side of the steps (Sopanam) of Temple, with the accompaniment of the drum called Idakka. The... Brahmanippattu is a type of domestic devotional offering performed usually in connection with marriages. ... Panchavadyam is a classic performance of different musical instruments that are unique to Kerala state of India, where five instruments are involved in a breathtaking-fastmoving act of percussion (Pancha in Sanskrit means five). ...

Customs and Ceremonies

For the Pushpakans among the Ambalavasis, many customs were similar to the Namboodiris though not exactly the same. Likewise the Ambalavasis proper followed most of the Nair customs and traditions though not exactly the same. Period of pollution after births and deaths for the Ambalavasis was always lesser than that of the Nairs. The Namboothiris are the Brahmins of Kerala. ... This article is about a Hindu caste. ... This article is about a Hindu caste. ...

Prominent Ambalavasis

• Kottarathil Sankunni- Famous Malayalam writer; Writer of Aithihyamala
• Kunchan Nambiar - Inventor of the performing art called Thullal
• Ikkanda Warrier - Prime Minister of Cochin
• P.S Warrier - Visionary Ayrvedic Doctor and founder of Arya Vaidya Sala of Kottakkal
• Prof. P.R. Pisharoty - Famous physicist and meteorologist
• Unnayi Warrier- a great author from irinjalakuda, composed nalacharitam in malayalam
• Neralattu Rama Poduval - Sopanam artist, recipient of kendra sahitya akademi award
• K.Karunakaran - former Chief Minister of Kerala
• Manju Warrier - Actress
• Divya Unni - Actress
• Sharath Marar - Film Producer

Kottarathil Sankunni is a well known author of Malayalam literature, born on 1855. ... Kunjan Nambiar was a Malayalam poet. ... Ottamthullal is a type of performing arts from Kerala, India. ... Ikkanda Warrier was the first Prime Minister of the then independent state of Kochi, India. ... Prof. ... Not to be confused with physician, a person who practices medicine. ... Meteorology is the scientific study of the atmosphere that focuses on weather processes and forecasting. ... Unnayi Warrier is a renowned writer who lived in Kerala about three hundred years ago. ... Neralattu Rama Poduval or Njaralathu Rama Poduval, was an exponent of the ashtapadi / sopanam art form practised in kerala. ... Sopanam is a form of Indian classical music developed in the temples of Kerala in the wake of the increasing popularity of the Jayadevas Gita Govinda or Ashtapathi. Sopanasangitham is sung by the side of the steps (Sopanam) of Temple, with the accompaniment of the drum called Idakka. The... (born July 5, 1918) was a veteran Congress party leader, freedom fighter, trade unionist, and former Chief Minister of Kerala, Home minister of Kerala, and Minister of industries of India. ... Manju Warrier (born on September 10, 1978) is an Indian actress specialising in Malayalam cinema. ... Divya Unni is a female actor in Malayalam and Tamil language films. ...

See also

• Forward Castes
• Brahmin
• List of Ambalavasi Families
• Namboothiri

Forward castes or Upper castes are terminology used in India to denote people from any religion who do not qualify currently for quota benefits of Government of India for Backward castes, scheduled castes and tribes [10] The Government of India does not publish a separate list of forward castes. ... This page deals with the Hindu varnas. ... The Ambalavasis (Pushpaka Brahmins) were classed into various subcastes. ... The Namboothiris (Malayalam :നമ്പൂതിരി) are the Brahmins of Kerala, thought to be the most orthodox brahmins in India. ...

References

• Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, Vol. 56, 1926 (1926), pp. 83-89
• Travancore State Manual by V.Nagam Aiya

External links

• Variars Website
• Pisharody site