Indulekha
Page 32
NAMBUDIRIS, according to the usual derivation of their name, are Brahmins versed in the Vedas, and are said by some to be of pure Aryan descent. They are as a rule the most conservative of all nations, live in great seclusion, spend their time in religious ceremonials and the study of the Vedas and know next to nothing of the world around them. As stated by Mr. Logan in the Malabar Manual their simplicity in matters of ordinary life is proverbial, but the greatest reverence is shown them by all their inferiors in the scale of caste. A Nair, in addressing a Nambudiri must speak of himself as "your slave,” and call the Nambudiri "my lord” and hence arose Suri Nambudiripad’s astonishment when Indulekha used the first personal pronoun in relation to herself.There are, however indications that the Nambudiris are becoming less exclusive and are taking interest in public affairs. Their manners are courtesy itself, and when the barrier of reserve which surrounds them is removed, they will be useful and prominent members of society. There are two orders among the Nambudiris, and those who form the superior class are called Nambudiripads. As a rule, in Nambudiripad and Nambudiri families alike the eldest son alone is permitted to form a legal marriage and only in his own caste. In this case there is an exception to the ordinary Malabar Law of Succession, and the system of inheritance in the male line in accordance with the rule of primogeniture prevails. Polygamy is permissible, and the firstborn son in point of time, without reference to the seniority of the wives, succeeds. The junior members of the family are entitled to maintenance and form alliances in Nair families, the children following the usual Malabar Law of Inheritance in the female line as Nairs.
PATTARS are foreign Brahmins, settled in Malabar, and differ in no respect from the Brahmins of the East Coast so far as social and family ordinances among themselves are concerned. But being Brahmins they are occasionally permitted to form alliances like Nambudiris in Nayar families.
CHAPTER 2, INDULEKHA’S AGE
The subject of early marriage is a dangerous one to touch at present but without attempting to enter into the controversy, I may state that early marriage is the exception and not the rule in Malabar. The question how far this circumstance is due to the fact that Mahommedan supremacy was never established on the West Coast must be left for consideration of those interested in it.
CHAPTER 6, THE BATH HOUSE
It must be remembered that bathing forms part of the religious life of the Hindus specially in Malabar. Strictly speaking no food ought to be eaten until this rite has been performed, and it is an indispensable antecendent to daily worship in the temples. Every respectable house in malabar except in one division, where the customs of the East Coast predominate, is provided with two tanks. One is used for washing cooking utensils, and the other is set apart for ceremonial ablutions. The latter would have on its bank a good building with rooms for oil massage or hot baths and stone steps leading down to the water in the tank. Often there would be a roof over the steps, to shelter the bathers from sun and rain. Separate compartments may be available, as at Puvarangu, for men and women, and if not, each respected the privacy of the other group.
CHAPTER 4, DECAPITATION LODGE
By this designation a Masonic Lodge is intended. The speaker, who exemplifies the simplicity which frequently prevails among Nambudii Brahmins, has implicitly believed the stories current regarding such an institution and the meetings held therein.
CHAPTER 7, CHERUSHERI
A Nambudiri is addressed by other Nambudiris and Nambudiripads by his house name. Hence Govindan Nambudiri is called Cherusheri, and Kesavan Nambudiri is styled karuthedam.
CHAPTER 17, FANAM
Fanam or Panam -an old silver coin weighing about six grains.