Mannanar

Mannanar is an dynasty of Eruvessi in Kannur district. There were Thampurans In kerala. But their houses were not called Aramana. In Kerala only the palace of the Mannanar was called Aramana. All the houses of other rules were called kottaram or kovilalam. The Malayalam word used for king is Mannan. The 'ar' is added to the name of a person to be respected. Hence the king was called Mannanar.[9]The best known, because it has formed the subject of judicial proceeding, is that of the Muthedath Aramanakkal in the Chirakkal Taluk with extensive jungle land endowments. The members of this institution are respectively styled as Mannanar or macchiyar, according as they are men or women. They have baronial power and keep up a sort of baronial state, for which purpose two hundred Nair of the Edavikutty kulam (or clan) were in former days bound of follow the mannanar When out on active service. The members of the Aramana are recognized as of the Thiyyar caste. And the sons of macchiyars become in turn mannanars (barons). The women take husbands from Thiyyar community. The women who are sent to this Aramana are those convicted of illicit intercourse with men of Thiyya or superior castes.[10][11]

The well-known Mannanar belonged to the Varakat illam (Varaka Thiyyar). The Varaka Thiyyar or Varakat illam Mannanar were further allowed to wear gold jewels on the neck, to don silken cloth, to fasten a sword round the waist, and to carry a shield. Th sword was made of thin pliable steel, and worn round the like belt, the point being fastened to the hilt through a small hole near the point.[12]

• Kolathiri