NAIRS AND NAGAS

There are differences of opinion about the origin of Nair community.  One argument is that Nairs are descendents of Nagas, once a mighty people of India.  Nagas were the oldest and strongest people that lived in India before the Aryan subjugation.  They were in India even before the era of the Ramayana.  Nagas were warriors in the battle of Mahabharatha and mention to this effect can be seen in the Harivamsa and Vishnupurana Markandeya purana.  The Surya and Soma dynasties were related to the Nagas.  There is mention in the Ramayana that Nagas witnessed the sea crossing of Hanuman.  The Nagas women were renowned for their beauty.  There is a story in the Mahabharatha that Arjuna during his journey met with Uloopi, a beautiful Naga maiden and at once fell in love with her and married her.

 

Arjuna

Uloopy – a painting

After battle of the Mahabharatha the Nagas became more powerful.  It was the Nagas who killed King Parikshit. There is historical evidence to believe that Nagas inhabited in all suitable places even from time immemorial.  Their capital was Thakshasila.  Their rule extended from Thakshasila to Assam and from South India to Ceylone (Sri Lanka).  The Nagas who lived in Kerala became Nairs.

Snake worship is a special ritual of Nairs.  There were Sarpakavus (snake parks) attached to almost all the Nair Tharavads.

The Nair women and men traditionally tird their hair similar to the shape of a serpent’s hood.  Nairs followed matrilineal (marumakkathayam) system.

Nair woman tying hair like serpant’s hood

Girls pounding paddy – an old picture

Before the advent of Namboodiris, an organized and warlike people exercised supremacy over Kerala.  Their origin was unknown.  Owing to the worship of Naga (snake), this people came to be known as Nagas.  They exercised control over Adivasis, put them to hard fieldwork and made them slaves, says K.M.Panicker (Keralathile Swathanthrasamaram).

William Logan has recorded in the Malabar Manual that Nairs were the Dravidian settlers who conquered Malabar and became landlords.

William Logan

Kodungallur Kunhikuttan Thampuran in his book ‘Keralathil’ firmly ascertains that the Nairs are same as Nagas.

Sri Vidyadhiraja Chattambi Swamikal im his book Praacheena Keralam has reproduced some old ballards mentioning Nairs as Nagas. In it he has reproduced the following details about Nagas found in the old Vattezhuthu records.

“Nagas wearing caps made of arecanut and wooden shoes with long moustache and hair, with beams inforehead and sword in hand, and moving elegantly were treated with respect by all country men.  The Nagas treated ‘dharma’ as all in all.  To them it was their life, their organs, their Gods, their knowledge, their very existence and all in all”.

Sri Chattambi swamikal has also quoted some other information about the Nagas. Wherever Nagas were mentioned special mention about their forehead was made.  This shows that they were devoted Shivaits or worshippers of Lord Siva.  They believed in the gospel of Dharma. They became Nairs later.  These shivaits in course of time became the followers of brahmnical faith.  Brahmins treated the Nairs as Sudras.  Therefore, it is proved beyond doubts that Nairs were a group of people who recognized the supremacy of the Brahmins.

 

Enkilo akkadaludayavan Nakathan Maarallow aakunnthu, avarkallo Aadi kaalathe varunan oru nootettu Katham kondu thara muzhuvanum koduth Ennu cholliyathu Kaithidame  karuvaana nakathare Maithidame meni  yaana nakathare Poithidare podiyuakkum nakathare Etthissyum pukal konda nakathare Chithi mutthi  kaikonda nakathare Villali veeranana nakathare Viruthiketty padai vellum nakathare Pullane vellam tharakkum nakathare.

 

The meaning of these songs reproduced from the old Keralolpathi is as follows: Sea belongs to Nagas.  In legendary times Varuna gave them 108- katham land (one katham roughly 5 miles). Nagas had strong physique and beautiful body.  The thieves feared them.  Their fame was far spread.  They were expert archers.  Participation in battle is a hallmark of their cult.  They were a fearless group of people who attained mukthi through tireless efforts, courage and determination.

Chattambi Swamikal

P.Damodaran Pillai says that Nagas were the group of people who moved southwards from North India during pre-historic times.  They became the Nairs of today.It is difficult to trace the origin of the word ‘Nair’ which might have a connection with snake - worshippers, known at one time as Nagas.  Some are of opinion that the ancestors of the nairs were a sect of snake worshipping Scythians. They entered India through the northwest and settled down indifferent parts of the country. According to K.P.Padmanabha Menon, Keralan or Cheralan who ruled Kerala centuries ago, brought Nagas and permitted them to settle here and these Nagas were later were known as Nairs and Ambalavasis.