Tiyyar

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Ethnic group

Thiyyar

Total population
c. 3.6 million
Regions with significant populations
North Malabar
Languages
Malayalam
Religion
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Mukkuvar
Army man of Thiyya Regiment

Thiyyar (Sanskrit: Divper; Portuguese: Tiveri)[citation needed] is a caste found mostly in the North Malabar region of Kerala.[1] They speak Malayalam but also have their local dialect known as Thiyya, named after their own community.[2] They share many cultural similarities and customs with the Ezhavas of South Malabar, but are different from Ezhava of Palakkad, Cochin and Travancore regions.[3] Thiyya are classified as Other Backward Class (OBC) by the Government of India as per the caste census.[4][5]

## History and Origin[edit]

They share ancestry from ancient migrants of North India.[6] They also practice marumakkathayam which is a system of matrilineal inheritance.

There was also a Thiyya dynasty that ruled in Malabar called the "Mannanar dynasty".[7] Certain sections of the Thiyya community rose to become renowned warriors in Northern Malabar and were honored with the title of Chekavar.[8][9] Many of these famous Chekava warriors are remembered in folk songs called the Vadakkan Pattukal.

Recent genetic studies performed on Thiyya community member have found that Thiyya share most of their ancestry from ancient migrants from North-west India.[10] Thiyyars of Malabar engaged in various roles in the society of Malabar for example Thiyya regiment.

## Culture and Beliefs[edit]

The traditional Malabari Hindu ritual of Theyyam plays a very important part in the spirituality of the Thiyyar community. In the districts of Kasargod and Kannur this traditional ritual is primarily performed in the kavus (sanctuaries) or tharavads (ancestral homes) of Thiyyar, Vaniyar, Maniyani and Nambiar communities.[11][12] One of the most famous theyyam forms known as "Kathivanur Veeran" is performed in memory of the great Thiyya warrior Mandhappan Chekavar.[13]

## Famous Thiyya personalities[edit]

Politicans:-

* Pinarayi Vijayan
* K Sudhakaran
* V.Muraleedharan
* K Surendran
* Mullappally Ramachandran

Artists

* Sreenivasan (actor)
* Vineeth Sreenivasan (actor)
* Samvrutha Sunil (actress)
* Sanusha (actress)
* Surabhi Lakshmi (actress)

## References[edit]

1. ^ Velacherry, Joseph (1993). Social Impact of Mass Media in Kerala. CISRS, Bangalore. p. 15\. ISBN 978-81-7214-064-9.
2. ^ Kumar, Rajesh; Prakash, Om (2018-11-30). Language, Identity and Contemporary Society. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 180\. ISBN 978-1-5275-2267-1.
3. ^ William, Logan (1887). Malabar Manual. Superintendent, Government Press (Madras).
4. ^ Template:Url=https://bcdd.kerala.gov.in/en/communities/central-obc-list/
5. ^ Template:Url=https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/states/tamil-nadu/2020/Jul/28/tamil-nadu-government-gives-backward-class-status-to-thiyya-and-ezhava-communities-2175925.html
6. ^ V.Geedanath (January 2024). "genetic ancestries of south-west coast warrior class traced". The Hindu.
7. ^ MA Rajeev Kumar (6 April 2022). "Neglected and forgotten: Remains of Mannanar dynasty crumbling". The New Indian Express.
8. ^ P., Girija, K (2021). Mapping the History of Ayurveda : Culture, Hegemony and the Rhetoric of Diversity. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-48139-6.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
9. ^ Kurup, K. K. N. (1985). "History of the Tellicherry Factory, 1683-1794".
10. ^ V.Geedanath (January 2024). "genetic ancestries of south-west coast warrior class traced". The Hindu.
11. ^ Kusuman, K. K. A Panorama of Indian Culture.
12. ^ Robinson, Gnana (1998). Religions of the Marginalised: Towards a Phenomenology and the Methodology of Study. ISBN 9788172144586.
13. ^ "Reviving tradition Theyyam season begins in northern Kerala".

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