India is a land of Diversity. The diversity exists in geography, culture, religion, customs and in so many matters. Kerala is the south most state or province of India. Kerala is know as God's Own Country universally among the Tourists. Literally it is true in every aspects. Natural beauty of the land is one of the most attractive features. There are a lot of religious features attracting the tourists. Onam is the national festival of Kerala. The people are beaut5iful and peace loving.
There are several communities in this small state. Ganaka is one of the communities with rich traditional blessings. In the Wikepedia Encyclopedia, this community is termed as following:
"Kaniyan (also known as Ganaka, Kalari Panicker, or Kalari Kurupu,kanisan,kaniyan,kaniyar panikkar) is a community in central Kerala State, India. The term can refer both to the village, or to its inhabitants.
This community was known in former times for scholarship of Sanskrit and Puranas (Hindu religious texts). They conducted pallikoodams (schools), and so are also known as Ashaans or Gurukkal, both meaning teachers. This community is famous for traditional astrology, and they have a strong background in mathematics. Some also studied Tantra.
The residents are known for Kalaripayattu, an Indian martial art. They conducted Kalari (martial arts exercises) to practice and to teach their skills. They were also practitioners of the system of traditional ayurvedic treatment, specializing in baala chikitsa (pediatrics).
The Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) considers Kaniyan, Ganaka, Kanisan and Kamman, Kani and Kaniyar Panicker' as one group and 'Kalari Panicker and Kalari Kurupu' as another group.
The Kalari Panicker and Kalari Kurups hail from parts of Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Palakkad and Trissur. Most of them have Kalari (ancient deity worship). They used this to impart martial art education (Kalari Payattu) and formal education to villagers apart from the astrology and ayurvedic practice. As the Kalari Panicker and Kalari Kurups have the Kalaris, they consider themselves to be above Kaniyar groups in the social strata"
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Has there any information about in-caste dialect of Kaniyan community?
ReplyDeleteHow many notable people are there, among these class of people.
Dasarp
Ganaka or Kaniyan is a community which speaks sanskrit for communication among themselves with a view to convey ideas without it coming to the notice of outsiders. There is a rich vocabulary which prevails among them. However it is ebbing now.
Deletewhat evidence is there to show that Kalari panikers of cetral travancore (Trichur) are a section of kaniyans ?
ReplyDeleteFor getting clear evidence for this we have to go back to the culture of Dravidians, Buddism and Jainism. It was during the period of Arya occupation, the single caste happened to divide and settle at various parts of Kerala considering the variations in their occupations.
DeleteThere are numerous notable personalities in this community. From the antique, Aryabhatta Ganaka, Kalidasa, Ramana Maharshi, Kannassaz poets etc belong to this community. In modern days, Veloor Krishnan Kurtry, Koduppunna(Astrologer and author etc etc belog to this community.
ReplyDeleteezhuththachan will also come under Ganaka ?
ReplyDelete