Mannanar

The Mannanar () were a Thiyyar dynasty of Malabar, in the present-day Kannur and Kasaragod districts of India. In the ancient period, there were five Mannanar palaces in Eruvesi to the North West of Taliparamba, hence they were called as Anju Aramana. The word "Mannanar" derives from "mannan", meaning "king" and "ar", which pluralises it.
The many Nairs, including Kshathriyas such as the rajas of Cochin and Travancore, Samantans such as the Zamorin and some Thiyyas, are also owners of large tracts of land. A Mannanars stani (dignitary or holder of title) Muthedath Aramanakkal family had the authority to decide disputes within the caste and Jurisdiction was invoked on appeal. Kottayam thaluk was distinct in having a number of dominant Thiyyar Tharavads, who were jenmis and village heads. Depositions by muthedath Aramanakal "Kunhi kelappaan Mannanar" and "krishnan Vazhunnavar". The family, with vast land holding in the eastern hilly tracts of Chirakkal Thaluk, is noted to have given refuge.
Even in modern times there was a Thiyyar royal family named "mannanar" at a place called Eruvesi close by the river Thoniyar at the coorg border of north malabar. The head of that family had royal emblems and could move about in manchal (palanquin) and take with him retainers wearing swords and shield. A Thiyyar named Taliparamba Possesses a large extent of land granted by a former Raja of Chirakkal, on condition of his taking under his protection all excommunicated Nambuthiri females, if they choose to go with him. He has special rank and privileges, and has the title of Mannanar or machchiyar.
Origin.
According to Neelakandan Unni, The Parashurama left the place after giving good advice to the women about many things. The Brahmin, who was happy with this generous gift from Parashurama, has been with macchiyar putran Mannan ever since. He took over the government by delaying the harvest and so on. Thus the dynasty that had been advancing from generation to generation (not long after leaving the aliens, eventually died without adopting the mannan, is said to have become the cause of the extinction of the tribe. The place called eruvesi in the vallya of the kadakkanmala, the place where the palace is located. They are called kshathriyas is because they belong to the Vitihotra of the Mannanar Karthavirya dynasty.
Kingdom.
History.
Mannanar is an dynasty of Eruvessi in Kannur district. There were Thampurans In kerala. But their houses were not called Aramana. In Kerala only the palace of the Mannanar was called "Aramana". All the houses of other rules were called kottaram or kovilakam. The Malayalam word used for king is Mannan. The 'ar' is added to the name of a person to be respected. Hence the king was called Mannanar. The best known, because it has formed the subject of judicial proceeding, is that of the Muthedath Aramanakkal in the Chirakkal Taluk with extensive jungle land endowments. The members of this institution are respectively styled as Mannanar or macchiyar, according as they are men or women. They have baronial power and keep up a sort of baronial state, for which purpose two hundred Nairs soldiers of the "Edavikutty kulam" (or clan) were in former days bound of follow the mannanar When out on active service. The members of the Aramana are recognized as of the Thiyyar caste. And the sons of macchiyars become in turn mannanars (barons). The women take husbands from Thiyyar community. The women who are sent to this Aramana are those convicted of illicit intercourse with men of Thiyya or superior castes.
Only the elder can become a Mannanar. The Mannanar fourth was kunhi kelappan Mannanar that. During his reign, a strong monarchy existed, and his main occupation was cultivating cardamom with tenant in the ezhimala forests, harvesting it and taking it to madras to buy gold. And the chirakkal was build during the regin of Mannanar third. When The third Mannanar came to power. There was a "Anjukurvazhcha". He was ruled by Ariyittuvazhcha and given the title of "Vazhunnavar".
Smarthavicharam.
Mannanar provide a comfortable home for Nambudiri women who were thrown out of caste, and thus in the ordinary course of events doomed to every misery and degradation to be found in life. On being outcast, the funeral ceremonies of Nambutiri women were performed by her own people, and she became dead to them. She went to the Mannanar. And her birth ceremonies were performed, so that she might being life anew in a state of purity. If, on arrival, she entered by left door, she was his wife. If, by the front door, his sister. It is said that. When their chief, Mannanar of the Aramana. Is destitute of heirs, the Thiyyars of Kolathunadu go in processing to the kurumattur Nambutiri (chief of the peringallur Brahmins) and demand a Brahman virgin to be adopted as sister of Mannanar, who follow Marumakkathayam rule of succession. This demand, it is said, used to be granted by the Nambutiries assembling at a meeting. And selecting a maiden to be given to the Thiyyars.
Customs.
The well-known Mannanar belonged to the Varakat illam (Varaka Thiyyar). The Varaka Thiyyar or Varakat illam Mannanar were further allowed to wear gold jewels on the neck, to don silken cloth, to fasten a sword round the waist, and to carry a shield. Th sword was made of thin pliable steel, and worn round the like belt, the point being fastened to the hilt through a small hole near the point.