Nair

The Nairs are the martial nobility of Kerala State (in India). As a race they are unique and incredibly progressive. They have their own marital customs (Tali Kettu Kalyanam and Sambandham); Their own form of inheritance (Marumakkatayam); their own art of warfare (Kalaripayattu - the forerunner of Kung-fu and Jujitsu); their own war goddess (Bhadrakali); their own cult of ancestor worship and their own art form ( Kathakali).
Nairs are a matrilineal race. Women are held in high esteem. They owned the property. Wealth passed down from woman to woman. Men were the caretakers. Marriage too as a custom did not exist among the Nairs. They had "sambandham" - relationship. And one could have sambandham with several others. In short polygamy and polyandry was accepted and practiced.
This carefully researched book has been written in a very lucid manner for Nairs to know themselves and for others to know them. It traces the origin of the race, the various customs they observe and the festivals they celebrate.
The author Raghu Palat is a Nair. A great grandson of his Highness, the late Rama Varma, Maharaja of Cochin and Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair (a past President of the Indian National Congress and a member of the Viceroy's Executive Council), he is a banker, consultant, writer and teacher. He has written over 45 books. Apart from writing books, he writes for newspapers and magazines. He manages an information portal www.bankingrules.com and an elearning portal www.ibbc.co.in