Channar (surname)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Channar or Channan was a surname used in Kerala until early 20th century by families of the ezhava caste[1][2] The same surname is being used by Jatt clans[3] Along with Panicker and Thandar families, Channar families were high status ezhava families.[4]

In some literature, Nadar community of Travancore who are a community different from Ezhavas are also referred to as Channar and that's not a title or surname. Instead it is a corrupt way of the using the word Shanar which meant Nadar in Travancore.

The famous Channar revolt was started by these Nadars who were following climbing Palmyra palm tree and toddy taping from it as their prime occupation.

The Shanar surnames included in the census of Travancore in 1871 has no title as Nadar. The restrictions on Chanar by travancore princely state was on Chanars mentioned above but as nadars are high in number in Kanyakumari and also under the main head as Shanan during 1860s...When nadar community took Chanar community which was a different community of toddy tapers in Tamilnadu as a sub caste in 1967 its mistaken even by the Nadars of Tamilnadu that its they who were imposed restrictions. But its the responsibility of all Chanars of Ezhava community to make this clear that this community had done so many reformations even from the days of Narayana Guru. In Tamilnadu Vaikom protest is also spoken of as if its against Nadars.Nadars and Chanars are different. In 1820 census itself its clearly stated that Nadan are in highly respectable position and most wealthy community.

There are climber community among Ezhavas also called chethukaar, thandan etc. But they engage in climbing and toddy taping coconut trees instead of Palmyra.

Notable people:

  • Alummootil kochu kunju Channar, the famous karanavar (family head) of Alummootil family, Onattukara. The story of Malayalam cinema, Manichitrathazhu written by Madhu Muttam was inspired from his life. He had close ties with Travancore royal family and was owner of first motor car in the region. The Haripad - Muttam road was made for his conveyance.
  • Alummootil Thaiparambil Cochoo Mani Channar: A great wealthy landlord of Alappey from the renowned Alummootil tharawad.His first daughter was the first lady from the family who got medical degree and was married to the son of a great social reformer and Renaissance leader of Kerala Rao Sahib Dr. Ayathan GopalanAyyathan Gopalan.
  • Enathinatha Nayannar
  • C O Karunakaran
  • T K Madhavan
  • Pattathuvila P. Kochukunju Channar, entrepreneur who established Empire Tile Factory, Kollam.

References[]

  1. ^ Rao, M. S. A. (1987). Social Movements and Social Transformation: A Study of Two Backward Classes Movements in India. Manohar. p. 23.
  2. ^ Mathew, George (1989). Communal Road to a Secular Kerala. Concept Pub. Co. p. 30. ISBN 978-81-7022-282-8.
  3. ^ A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province: A.-K. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. 1997. ISBN 978-81-85297-69-9.
  4. ^ Osella, Filippo; Caroline, Filippo; Osella, Caroline (20 December 2000). Social Mobility In Kerala: Modernity and Identity in Conflict. Pluto Press. ISBN 978-0-7453-1693-2.
Retrieved from ""