Nayanar (Nair subcaste)
Nayanar ( meaning "the Nayar" ) is an honorific title used by sub-castes of the Nair community from North Malabar , India . The word Nayanar is believed to have originated from the word " Nayanmar" ( Nairs ), which is a title of nobility. The Nayanar title is mostly given to prominent Nambiar families by the Chirakkal Raja . Their position lies between Samantha Nairs and Kiriyathil Nairs. They sometimes have interchangeable surnames like Nambiar , Kurup , and Nair . Nayanar families are mostly seen north of the river Korapuzha . Like other North Malabar ( Kannur and neighboring districts ) Nairs, Nayanars earlier claimed a higher status to Nairs of South Malabar ( Kozhikode and neighboring districts ). [ 1 ] Nayanar Classification aristocracy Religions Hinduism Languages Malayalam Region Kannur district Related groups Nair Saman...