Moothan
Encyclopedia
Moothans are a community in Palakkad
district of Kerala
state who primarily engage in trade. The majority of the community is spread in the Moothanthara
region of Palakkad
town. Moothans are known in Palakkad under caste
names like Moothan and its sub-castes like Guptan
and similar castes like Mannadiar
and Tharakan
.
, Thaipooyam, Kavadi
yattam. They are worshipers of Kannaki and Muruga and visit the famous Pazhani temple of Tamil Nadu undertaking a journey by foot carrying their Kavadi.
as well.
The usage of the title Aandar is a mute pointer and relationship of Moothans communities deep-rooted faith towards Muruga (called Aandavan, Aandar). Moothans Kavadi Pooja is one of the unique festivals celebrated in Palakkad connected with Muruga.
In 1972-73 5,500 Moothans were distributed in 731 households, of these 451 households are settled in same ward separated from other castes and communities. There are 48 jewellery shops in Palakkad town and 36 of these are owned by Moothans, 164 vegetable shopkeepers, which include wholesale, retail and hawkers, 77.4 percent are Moothans and 15.9 % Muslims and rest belong to five other groups.
Moothan business profession is transmitted in the form of inheritance and it is carried out in a well socially knitted pattern. This is one of the reasons for their success in the business arena. Changes in the business scenarios has really challenged the traditional localized business setups of Moothans. Educating the children to its highest level is the modern trend of the society. Every year more and more professionals are born out from the community. Few were taking up the task of finding out new business setups or the revival of the existing ones. Rest of them is migrating to the areas of profession, widely traveling in India and far abroad. Few educated hold and sticks to their traditional business with passion and pride.
The modern generation is now getting well educated and holding good positions in many private and government sectors.
, edathanattukara
and very few families were found to be settled in Vyanad District
Palakkad
Palakkad , formerly known as Palghat, is a municipality and a town in the state of Kerala in southern India, spread over an area of 26.60 km2.The city is situated about north of state capital Thiruvananthapuram. It is the administrative headquarters of Palakkad District...
district of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
state who primarily engage in trade. The majority of the community is spread in the Moothanthara
Moothanthara
Moothanthara is the dwelling place of Moothans of Palakkad where Goddess Karnaki is worshiped in her full Idolic form.As is the case with culture of Palakkad, the inhabitants of this locality exhibit a mix of Tamil and Malayalam cultures. Legend has it that the people migrated here with Kannagi...
region of Palakkad
Palakkad
Palakkad , formerly known as Palghat, is a municipality and a town in the state of Kerala in southern India, spread over an area of 26.60 km2.The city is situated about north of state capital Thiruvananthapuram. It is the administrative headquarters of Palakkad District...
town. Moothans are known in Palakkad under caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
names like Moothan and its sub-castes like Guptan
Guptan
Guptan is a Hindu caste from the Palakkad district of Kerala, South India. The majority of the Guptans are in Valluvanad, with major agglomerations around Vayillyamkunnu, Katambazhippuram, Sreekrishnapuram, Chethallur and Mannarkkad...
and similar castes like Mannadiar
Mannadiar
Mannadiar is one of the subclan of the Nair community among Keralites. The title "Mannadiar" was awarded by the Maharajah of Cochin to those Nairs who excelled in warrior skills. They are mostly found in the Central Kerala region...
and Tharakan
Tharakan
Tharakan is a Hindu forward caste from Palakkad region of Kerala state. Tharakan community is mainly found at Chittur, Koduvayur,Kollengode,Mangode,Karippode and Thiruvazhiyode.-Etymology:...
.
Culture
Moothans follow a mixture of Tamil-Malayali traditions. They celebrate the important festivals of Kerala and few Tamil festivals like PongalPongal
Thai Ponggal is a harvest festival celebrated by Tamils in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Indian Union Territory of Pondicherry and in Sri Lanka. Pongal coincides with the festival Makara Sankranthi celebrated throughout India. Pongal in Tamil means "boiling over" or "spill over". The boiling...
, Thaipooyam, Kavadi
Kavadi
Kavadi Attam is a dance performed by the devotees during the ceremonial worship of Murugan, the Tamil God of War. It is often performed during the festival of Thaipusam and emphasizes debt bondage. The Kavadi itself is a physical burden through which the devotees implore for help from the God...
yattam. They are worshipers of Kannaki and Muruga and visit the famous Pazhani temple of Tamil Nadu undertaking a journey by foot carrying their Kavadi.
Language
Moothans mother tongue is Malayalam and many manage to speak in TamilTamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
as well.
Social Titles
The Mannadiar title is also used by Moothans of Palakkad and Koduvayoor. To address Tharakans also the Mannadiar title is used. In Palakkad, Moothans are respectably called Mannattappan, Aandaar for males, Mannattamma, Andaramma for females.The usage of the title Aandar is a mute pointer and relationship of Moothans communities deep-rooted faith towards Muruga (called Aandavan, Aandar). Moothans Kavadi Pooja is one of the unique festivals celebrated in Palakkad connected with Muruga.
House - Mannattu
Mannattu is the name generally used for calling houses of Moothans just like Illiams and Manas of Nampoothiris.Business and education
Palakkad Angadi (market) is a privileged portion alloted to Moothan community by the Rajas (Naduvazhis) of Palakkattussery and it relates back to the Zamorin's period of around 14 - 15 AD.In 1972-73 5,500 Moothans were distributed in 731 households, of these 451 households are settled in same ward separated from other castes and communities. There are 48 jewellery shops in Palakkad town and 36 of these are owned by Moothans, 164 vegetable shopkeepers, which include wholesale, retail and hawkers, 77.4 percent are Moothans and 15.9 % Muslims and rest belong to five other groups.
Moothan business profession is transmitted in the form of inheritance and it is carried out in a well socially knitted pattern. This is one of the reasons for their success in the business arena. Changes in the business scenarios has really challenged the traditional localized business setups of Moothans. Educating the children to its highest level is the modern trend of the society. Every year more and more professionals are born out from the community. Few were taking up the task of finding out new business setups or the revival of the existing ones. Rest of them is migrating to the areas of profession, widely traveling in India and far abroad. Few educated hold and sticks to their traditional business with passion and pride.
The modern generation is now getting well educated and holding good positions in many private and government sectors.
Location
Basic settlements as family groups and tharavads are spread across in the areas like Moothanthara – palakkad – kavilpad - olavakkode town circle,kalpathy,nelliserry,pallipuram,noorani agraharams, koduvayoor,mannathukavu, ethanoor,thenkurissi. And other aryavaisya casts in kongad,pulapatta, katampazhipuram,alangad, punchapadam,mannampatta, mangalamkunnu, sreekrishnapuram, thiruvayzhiyode,vellinezhy, maangod, chethaloor,kalladikode, Thachampara mannarkkadMannarkkad
Mannarkkad , formerly known as Mannarghat is a town in Palakkad district of Kerala State, South India. It is the headquarters of Mannarkkad Taluk, and is one of the largest revenue Taluks in Kerala. It is situated 40 km north-east of the district headquarters Palakkad, on the way to...
, edathanattukara
Edathanattukara
Edathanattukara is a village in Palakkad District, Kerala, India.-History:There are differences of opinion about the origin of the village's name. The Edathanattukara is derived from the word kara. The ancient people had witnessed that it got the name because it is situated in between northern...
and very few families were found to be settled in Vyanad District