Talk:Caste system in Kerala/Archives/2006/September

No. That article to be merged with this
It is true that there is no varna in south India. Varna is a classification. It is referred as class not as caste. However in south India, there were so many castes (Jatis). You must first understand the difference between class and caste ie. varna and jati. Ambalavasi 04:59, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

The following castes are considered Avarnas:# Kammalas: Carpenters, Sculptors etc.# Ezhavas: Toddy Tappers# Mukkuvars: Fishermen# Pulayas : Peasants# Pariahs : Dalits Only nampoothiris, Ambalavasis and nairs form the savarna castes in Kerala. I think the Veena nairs like Villakkithala nairs, Veluthedathu nairs, Chakkala nairs etc formed the topmost strata of avarna jatis in Kerala. Many castes are shown as in the article as belonging to both the savarna and avarna jatis. Such articles would create confusion. Ambalavasis are composed of many castes wiith theirown hierarchy. Samanthas like thampis, Unnithans etc are nairs their title inherited maternally. Their father could be a nampoothiri, Varma or any caste of Nair (excluding the so called fallen nairs). Diwan velu Thampi's father was a Nair-Pillai. RAMS (9-9-2006)