ABOUT NSS DELHI

Before we go into the origin of Nair Service Society, it would be essential to introduce “Nair Community” to the young generation. There are several interpretations on the definition of “Nairs”. One school of thought is that Nairs were big landlords and they ruled the land. The Nairs were the warriors (“nair pada” which means nair regiment) and they were known for their fighting prowess. In those times, the might of a king was known by the number of Nairs they had in their service. Nairs were considered as the ‘Samurais’ of Kerala.

Confusion still prevails among nair community as to the derivatives or surnames by different people belonging to the nair community. Typical last names- Nair surnames are carried through matrilineality. The surname Nair/Nayar is commonly used by all sub-castes belonging to Nair caste. There is a misconcepetion that those with surname “nair” or “menon” are the real nairs. But this is not so. There are surnames within nairs to differentiate them based on the honours bestowed on them by the royalty in rcognition of their excellence in various fields. We are not going into the details of such honours at this stage. To mention a few, nair includes, ‘ ’, ‘kurup’, ‘panicker’, ‘menoki’, ‘nayanar’, ‘nedungadi’, ‘achan’, ‘thampi’, ‘radi’, ‘kaimal’, ‘karanavar’, ‘kartha’, ‘kidavu’, ‘mannadiyar’, ‘unnithan’, ‘valiathan’, ‘adiyodi’, ‘nambiar’, ‘nambiath’ etc.

Though Nairs were considered to be the most aristocratic, populous and influential people of the society, the Nair community was facing a crisis brought about by disunity and blind adherence to outdated customs, beliefs and practices. They had a glorious past .but ignorance, accumulated over centuries, reinforced by inadequate education, proved disastrous for the community. Their predilection for celebrations and penchant for ceremonial occasions fuelled by a strong affinity towards profligacy and extravaganza, contributed to their decline and downfall. Gradual loss of land holdings, underemployment due to lack of modern education completed the process of disintegration. Read More »

MESSAGE FROM THE RESIDENT

My dear brothers, sisters and most loved youngsters,

History of Kerala is deeply immersed with the history and culture of Nairs, who were the largest land owners and most populous warriors. Nairs are not a caste, but they are a race. With the passage of time the large owners have become land less or small owners of bit and pieces of land. Consequent upon their social and financial pressure in 19th century, like others, they started moving out and migrating to nearby industrial and economically happening states in India and abroad.

Nair Service Society registered in Delhi in the year 1984, following the path and vision of our Acharyan Mannath Padmanabhan , with two Karayogams initially have today 24 active and vibrant Karayogams consisting about 20000 family members. In the year 2012, we have built a modern Socio Cultural Centre measuring approximately 20000 square feet covered area at sector 11, Dwaraka, New Delhi-110075. This area is primarily meant to promote educational, our traditional yoga and other cultural, literary activities normally unfamiliar to our new generation and to provide them adequate opportunities to encourage sports and games talents to our younger generation. In short it is meant to provide suitable platform to mould them into front line leaders of tomorrow to lead us to greater heights.

I want to assure you all that here in Delhi we honour community spirit rather than communal spirit for the integrated growth of our country. With prayers, good wishes, full dedicated support and unity, I launch this revamped website, www.nssdelhi.org

M.K. G. PillaiPresident,Nair Service Society, Delhi.