Namboodiri Brahmins: An Analysis of a Traditional Elite in Kerala

Selected features of the traditional soc structure of Kerala are isolated & examined with particular reference to the patrilineal Namboodiri Brahmans, a wealthy aristocratic landed caste group of highest ritual & secular rank, who maintained their position by the practice of primogeniture & a complex relationship with lower-ranking matrilineal castes. Following this, some of the changes that have taken place in Kerala since the advent of the British are noted, & reasons why the Namboodiris (as compared with the matrilineal Nayars or partilineal Tamil Brahmans) were able to maintain their traditional structure & life pattern until the early part of this cent are discussed. It is shown how the structural features of primogeniture, plus their wealth in the land & their high socio-religious status, were decisive in encouraging Namboodiri conservatism & in leading them to resolve a status conflict between their religious & pol'al roles by retreating from the latter. It is shown how the traditional fam structure, ritual status, & pol'al position of the Namboodiris, & more importantly their econ position, have prevented them from making any sort of gradual adaptation to the new situation. When the Namboodiris attempted to adapt to changed conditions in this cent, it almost invariably required much more radical change in fam structure, ritual status, & econ position than among other elites. For the Namboodiri reformers, it has been necessary to abandon completely the socio-religious prerogatives of Kerala Brahmans, & most of them gave up their study of the Veda along with other ritual observances. Thus, the dichotomy between the traditional & modern structures has in effect led to a contradiction, which is now in the process of being resolved by radical soc change. AA.