AN ANOMALY

Anomalous, unfair and improper practices are noticed in many a Brahmin–Nair alliances. One such instance was in the case of Gopalakrishnan Embramthiri, a ‘Tulu’ or ‘Madhwa’ Brahmin, son of Narayanan Embramthiri of Kalalarikkal Madom. Gopalakrishnan Embramthiri had a Nair wife, Parukutty Amma of Kandoth Nair Tharawad, through ‘Sambandham.’ She was an attractive Nair lady. Gopalakrishnan Embramthiri threatened to desert Parukutty Amma, as she was not willing to give him some of her inherited properties. Being a loyal and faithful lady, she finally yielded as she was coerced to part with a major portion of her ancestoral properties, which was originally part of Uthradath Mana. They had five children, four boys and one girl. The only daughter, Ammini Amma, was married to Gopi Menon of Sreevilasom (Mondoth) and they were residing in Kandoth Nair Tharawad.

Presently, Gopalakrishnan Embramthiri’s nephew, (his wife, Savithri’s sister’s son), Jayaraman Embramthiri has constructed a building and is residing in a portion of Kandoth Nair Tharawad property, which was given to Gopalakrishnan Embramthiri.

Gopalakrishnan Embramthiri married another Brahmin lady, Savithri Ammal and had another five children, Janardhanan, Ramachandran, Rajan, Sreenivasan and Thankamani. When Kalarikkal Madom was given to his brother Annappan Embramthiri; Gopalakrishnan Embramthiri constructed another house namely, Thrikkanni Madom, which was bestowed to his second son Ramachandran. After the death of Annappan Embramthiri and his legatees, Kalarikkal Madom was given to Janardhanan Embramthiri. Rajan resides next to Kalarikkal Madom and Sreenivasan Embramthiri, and his wife Santhammal resides in Durga Bhavan on the north-eastern corner of Kalathil Bhagavathy temple.

The legal validity for Sambandham marriage came to an end with the enactment of the Nair Regulation Act of M.E.1100 (1924 A.D.).  Up to this time there was no validity for their Sambandhams. The new regulation prohibited them to own and disown wives at their pleasure.  Certain conditions were also laid down for divorce.

Excerpts from

MEMOIRS

An autobiography

by

Joseph J. Thayamkeril

Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.

josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com

josephjthayamkeril@google.com