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| '''Kaniyar Panicker''' (also known as Ganaka,<ref>{{cite book |url=http://books.google.co.in/books?id=D27KRLsFNnAC&pg=PA255&dq=kanisan+panicker&hl=en&ei=2xu4TaDoAoqUvAOM4ZiiAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false |first=T. K. G. |last=Panicker |title=Malabar and its folk |publisher=Asian Educational Services |year=1995}}</ref> Kaniyan, Kaniyar, Kaniyar Panikkar) is a community in central ] State, ]. The term can refer both to the village, or to its inhabitants. Kaniyars are a caste specifically assigned for the purpose of horoscope delineation{{Vague}} and interpretation. So the main occupation of these group is ]. Kaniyan had two different sections (1) Kaniyan, the village astrologer and (2) Theenda kaniyan (polluted kaniyan). The main profession of the second one was making umbrellas. | '''Kaniyar Panicker''' (also known as Ganaka,<ref>{{cite book |url=http://books.google.co.in/books?id=D27KRLsFNnAC&pg=PA255&dq=kanisan+panicker&hl=en&ei=2xu4TaDoAoqUvAOM4ZiiAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false |first=T. K. G. |last=Panicker |title=Malabar and its folk |publisher=Asian Educational Services |year=1995}}</ref> Kaniyan, Kaniyar, Kaniyar Panikkar) is a community in central ] State, ]. The term can refer both to the village, or to its inhabitants. Kaniyars are a caste specifically assigned for the purpose of horoscope delineation{{Vague|date=April 2011}} and interpretation. So the main occupation of these group is ]. Kaniyan had two different sections (1) Kaniyan, the village astrologer and (2) Theenda kaniyan (polluted kaniyan). The main profession of the second one was making umbrellas. | ||
| The community was known in former times for scholarship of ] and ] (] religious texts). They conducted ''pallikoodams'' (schools), and so are also known as ''Ashaans'' or ''Gurukkal'', both meaning teachers. This community also has a background in mathematics and some members also studied ]. They conducted '']'' (martial arts exercises) to practice and to teach their skills.The residents are known for ], an Indian ]. | The community was known in former times for scholarship of ] and ] (] religious texts). They conducted ''pallikoodams'' (schools), and so are also known as ''Ashaans'' or ''Gurukkal'', both meaning teachers. This community also has a background in mathematics and some members also studied ]. They conducted '']'' (martial arts exercises) to practice and to teach their skills.The residents are known for ], an Indian ]. | ||
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Kaniyar Panicker (also known as Ganaka, Kaniyan, Kaniyar, Kaniyar Panikkar) is a community in central Kerala State, India. The term can refer both to the village, or to its inhabitants. Kaniyars are a caste specifically assigned for the purpose of horoscope delineation and interpretation. So the main occupation of these group is Hindu astrology. Kaniyan had two different sections (1) Kaniyan, the village astrologer and (2) Theenda kaniyan (polluted kaniyan). The main profession of the second one was making umbrellas.
The 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 also has a background in mathematics and some members also studied Tantra. They conducted Kalari (martial arts exercises) to practice and to teach their skills.The residents are known for Kalaripayattu, an Indian martial art.
Traditional professions of Kaniyar people
The traditional vocations of the Kaniyar caste were Vedic astrology, astronomy and mathematics. They also practised ayurvedic treatment (also marked by a strong tradition of worshipping Lord Dhanvantari), specialising in baala chikitsa (pediatrics). Today they practise astrology and ayurveda.
The Kaniyars were also teachers at the kalaries, the schools where the young Nairs learned military techniques and practiced martial arts. Further, they developed tanthric science in Kerala. Pazhoor Padippura astrologers were known for their jyothisha practice.
Kolam Thullal dance is a contribution from the Kaniyar community. Kolamthullal is a ritual dance performed in bhagavathy temples to eradicate evil spirits from the body and mind of people. It is also performed as a part of padayani. Earlier days they were known for making kolamms for padayani performance in Devi temples.
Ganaka community and its sections
In southern part of Kerala they were known as "Ashaans" , an honorific title given to them as a respect for their tradition of teaching. This class of community in northern Kerala were given the honorific title panicker and hence that term was chosen for their community representation in society.
Kalari Panicker or Kalari Kurup is a section of the Kaniyar community of old Cochin state and South Malabar. They come 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.
The Kerala Public Service Commission considers Kaniyan, Ganaka, Kanisan and Kamman, Kani and Kaniyar Panicker as one group and Kalari Panicker and Kalari Kurupu as another group.
Social drift of Kaniyan community
Probably due to their lack of motive to access the diverse higher avenues of changing world by taking up challenges , reluctance to shun the traditions and the obsessive pursuit to maintain the traditional astrology practice, made them drift to a socially backward status over the past centuries.it is documentedd that even in those dark ages of kerala, when untouchability was practised, Kaniyars were allowed free movements in the society and could even enter royal household and were respected because of their knowledge in Astrology. It is believed that there are many secrets in Astrology , that passess from generation to generation , known only to members of Kaniyar community. Though they were exponents of Sanskrit and Hindu Religious Scriptures,slowly, members of Ganaka community faded into oblivion. It could be partly because; Laws of Manu did not favour exponents of any of the Vedas or its angas from creating wealth. Taittiriya Brahmana and Vajasaneyi Samhita**also might have hastened the process of their exit from public positions The present generation has distanced themselves from the study of Astrology and majority of them find learning of Jyotish below their dignity and status.
Legends
It is believed Kaniyars are the first recepeints of the divine knowledge of Astrology right from the mouth of Lord Subramonia , the presiding deity of Jyotish. Pazhoor kaniyars are known as progeny of Thalkkulathoor Govinda Bhattathiri. He was an Indian brahmin astrologer and astronomer who flourished in Kerala during the thirteenth century CE.
Notable people
- Thunchat Ramanujan ezhuthachan
- The Niranam Poets, (1350-1450)
- Kaniyan Punkuran
- Edakkad Kukaniyal (1675-1750), author of Essentials of horary astrology or prasnapadavi
References
- Panicker, T. K. G. (1995). Malabar and its folk. Asian Educational Services.
- Folk Dance
- Padayani.com; Kolamthullal(dancing) in padayani
- ^ Thurston, Edgar; Rangachari, K. (2001). Castes and tribes of Southern India. Vol. 1. Asian Educational Services. p. 178.
- Sadasivan, S. N. (2000). Social history of India. APH Publishing. p. 356.
- Bhat, M. R.; Nair, B. P. (2002). Essentials of Horary astrology or prasanapadavi. Motilal Banarsidass.
- Thurston, Edgar; Rangachari, K. (2001). Castes and tribes of Southern India. Vol. 1. Asian Educational Services. pp. 171–200.
- Iyer, Anantha Krishna. The Cochin tribes and castes. Vol. 1. p. 188.
- Barbosa, Duarte; de Magalhães, Fernão (1989). The book of Duarte Barbosa: an account of the countries bordering on the Indian Ocean and their inhabitants. Asian Educational Services.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|=ignored (help) - Vidal, Denis; Tarabout, Gilles; Meyer, Eric (2003). Violence/non-violence: some Hindu perspectives. Manohar. pp. 223–228.
- Varghese, K. E. (1982). Slow Flows the Pampa. socio economic changes in kuttanadu villages of Kerala. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company. p. 73.
- Singh, Kumar Suresh (2003). People of India. Vol. 26. Anthropological Survey of India. p. 717.
- Logan, William (1987). Malabar manual. Vol. 1. Asian Educational Services. p. 139.
- Goody, Jack (1975). Literacy in traditional societies. Cambridge University Press. p. 149.