Tharavad
Tharavadu is a system of joint family practised by Nairs in Kerala, India. Each Tharavdu has a unique name. As joint families grew and established independent settlements, the Sakhas (branches) modified the names in a such way that the main Tharavadu names are identifiable, yet Sakha (or "Thavazhi", i.e. Thay Vazhi which means "Through Mother") had a distinct name. Each Tharavadu - was the protector and ruler of the Desam (place) that they were in and a reporting relationship emerged over a period to a "Naadu Vaazhi (Ruler of the land). Naadu is a group of Desams. Since the tharavadu had a brand name of its own, it had vested upon the members a sense of responsibility to conduct themselves in manner befitting the traditions.
The Tharavadu was administerd by Karnavar, the senior most male member of the family. He will be the eldest maternal uncle of the family as well. The members of the Tharavadu consisted of mother, daughters, sons, sisters and brothers. The fathers and husbands had only very minimal role to play in the affairs of the Tharavadu. It was a true matrilineal affair. The Karanavar took all major decisions. He is usually autocratic. However, the consent of the eldest female member of the family was taken before implementing the decisions. This eldest female member would be his maternal grandmother, own mother, mother's sister, his own sister or a sister through his maternal lineage. Since the lineage was through the female members, the birth of a daughter was always welcomed.
Each tharavadu also has a Bhara Devatha (clan deity) revered by those in the particular tharavadu. Temples were built to honour these deities. A Kalarideivam/devatha or deity presiding over the practice of Kalaripayattu (martial art form in Kerala) was also honoured.
Tharavadu house - has a unique Kerala style architecture with an inner courtyard or many inner courtyards - enclosed within the several large buildings built in the traditional Nair style, including wells. House with one courtyard is a Naalukettu, one with two is an Ettukettu, and one with a four courtyards is Pathinarukettu. There were specific location for prayer place, kitchen, storage for grains, living place for women, men - both married and unmaried etc. in the Tharavadu building complex. NaaluKettu means it has four sectional buildings: Thekkini (Southern Section), Kizhakkini (Eastern Section), Vadakkini (Northern Section), and Padinjattini (Western Section)around a single inner courtyard. Thekkini is the abode of the Karnavar. Vadakkini is for Kitchen and for Women. Padinjattini consists of bed rooms for the married women. There is a separate Uralppura (Building for Mortar) for rice meshing. This same room is used for separation of women with menstrual period.
Many Tharavadu houses were grand and unique in style and architecture, and many tharavadus owned temples, schools, other buildings and vast expanses of land. One peculiarity of nair tharavadu was that they were built always quite deep into the landed property owned by the tharavadu and almost in the middle of the main property. Never at the edges or periphery. Reasons were mainly security and military strategy. However as the family grew bigger and more homes were built, in recent times, things have changed.
A fresh water pond (Kulam)was an essential requirement for the Tharavadu for bathing purposes. Daily bath was a must for Nairs. Also there were many rituals which needed ceremonial bathing in the ponds.
Every Tharavadu had a Sarpa Kaavu (Sacred Grove for Serpents) for the worship of Serpent deities. Annual rituals and feasts were ceremonially conducted at the Sarpa Kaavus.
Tharavadus of occupational groups
Many occupational groups had their own Tharavadus associated with the Naudvazhi centres. These Tharavdus were centre for imparting various vocational knowledges. These Tharavadus also hosted Bhagavathi temples where the Karnavar officiated all the religious ceremonies.
Deterioraton of Tharavadu System
The Socio-cultural changes which accompanied industrialization, modernization and political awakening had its toll on many old institutions. The matrilineal nairs had to change with times. Maternal uncles started caring for their own chidren instead of their nephews and nieces. Social reforms spread with modern education. Partition of Tharavadus for individual share (AAlohari Bhaagam) happened due to enactments. Tharavadus crumbled. The matrilineal System disintegrated. Fathers took charge of their sons and daughters and the husband and wife started living together with thier offsprings. The change occurred within a span of 25 years and by 1940's Tharavadu system of living became a thing of the past. Big Naalukettus and Ettukettu structures began to collapse or were sold off. Now only the names of the Tharavadus are are remembered by the Nairs. At times they get together for ceremonies in the Paradevatha temples or in the Sarpa Kaavus. Even today Nairs display a higher nherent affection and regard for their sisters and their offsprings.
See also
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