| Maniyani Nair മണിയാണി നായർ | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Lunar dynasty |
| Religions | HinduismIndia |
| Populated states | Kerala • Puduchery |
| Related groups | Nair • Nambiar |
TheManiyani Nair[1] (also known as Kolaya, Kolari, Ayar,Konar, Urali Nair[2][3] in different areas) is aMalayalam speaking community,[4] andNair sub-caste native toKerala state ofSouth India.[5] They are mainly distributed in Kannur and Kasaragod districts.[6] They are a pastoral community and their traditional occupation is tending cattle and cultivation.[6] They are sometimes also referred as Itasseri Nairs.[7] They are classified as OBC or Other backward Class by Kerala government[8]
The Maniyanis believe themselves to have descended from the ancientYadava clan.[9] It is believed that from Gokarnam, a group of those who set out for various parts of India, reached the Kolat land and the Tulu land via Mangalore.
The majority of the Maniyanis are concentrated in the districts ofKannur andKasaragod.[6] They follow similar birth, marriage & death customs and rituals like other Nair sub-castes. Even though they practice endogamy and do not intermarry with other Nair subcaste especially general category subcastes.[10] Payyanur Poduval, Nair, and Vaniya-Vattakad Nairs.[11][12][13]Today, two sub-castes among the Nairs, namelyPallichan and Maniyani, aretheyyam worshippers, and they have their own shrines for their theyyams.[14]