Nairs and Bunts
Nairs of
Kerala and Bunts of Karnataka and Konkan coast share many features. Some of the
websites of Bunt Community have pointed out these similarities. However, Nair
community in general and Nair organizations in particular are yet to realize the
relations between these two communities. Being from Southern Kerala I never
thought that both the communities share similarities. But close contacts with
Bunts changed my perception. Both communities are share many things.
My first encounter
with Bunts occurred at Kasaragod, the northernmost district of Kerala bordering
South Kanara district of Karnataka. Friendly Bunts of Kasaragod and Manjeswaram
are hardworking people who have proved their worth in agriculture, business and
arts and culture like their Nair counterparts in Kerala.
Numerically
Nairs outnumber Bunts. It is estimated that there are more than 75 lakh Nairs
in India with around 60 lakh in Kerala and the rest in other parts. Bunts could
be less than 20 lakh, mainly in coastal Karnataka and Mumbai. (Estimates are
rough and average of figures from different Census)
Similarities
Both castes
have been warriors and feudal lords in the past and turned to agriculture in
the later years. Bunts and Nairs share many common customs in social life. The
form of Hinduism followed by both communities traditionally involves worship of
Serpent (Naga) Gods at Sacred Groves (Sarpa Kavu) in Tharavads. Both worshipped
mother goddess traditionally (Devi).
The
languages of Malayalam spoken by Nairs and Tulu spoken by Bunts have many
similarities and number of common words in both the languages is very high. It
is said that in the past both Ancient Malayalam and Tulu were written using
same script. In business both Nairs and Bunts are especially successful in
hotel industry. Both community members share similar physical features too. A
large section of Nairs and Bunts are fair complexioned. However, while one
could find many people with blue, light brown, grey and green eyes among Bunts
it is not that common to find blue and green eye colour among Nairs. However
light brown and grey eyes are not that rare among Nairs too. Perhaps Nairs who are
mythically from North who migrated to further South might have mixed more with
local communities.
Historical evidence of relation
between Nairs and Bunts
Nair
community’s origin is often attributed to Nagas of Ahichatra in Bareilli taluk
of Uttar Pradesh who later migrated to the South. (This is not a verified
conclusion as there are many theories) Similarly, myths about Bunts also share
the same origin. In Mahabharata it is mentioned that Drupada ruled Ahi Kshetra
mening land of Nagas. Thus taking this direction it is likely that first group
of immigrants from Ahichatra had settled in coastal Karnataka before a large
section moved further South to Kerala settled here and intermingled with
existing groups in Kerala. (The blog http://tulu-research.blogspot.in/2008/01/67-bunts-and-nairs.html has details of this history.)
A visit to a
Bunt Tharavad in Kasaragod or coastal Karnataka will itself explain the Bunt-Nair
relationship. The architecture of houses and the sacred grove are exact replica
of Nair Tharavads in north Kerala and only slightly different from Nair
Tharavads in Central and South Kerala. Food habits of both communities have
also lots in similar. Both communities enjoy non vegetarian dishes.
Similar to the
art form Yakshagana popular in coastal Karnataka, native place of Bunts, Nairs
have Kathakali. I am not an expert in history but feel that serious studies
need to be done to find the relation between Nairs and Bunts.
Possibility for Bunt-Nair tie ups
Bunts and
Nairs will both benefit if the two communities establish relations with each
other. Bunts are influential in Karnataka and Nairs in Kerala. While Billavas
of south Karnataka has already established relations with their counterparts Ezhavas
in Kerala it would be quite natural for Bunts and Nairs also to establish
friendly relations.
Now one finds
Billavas celebrating Birth anniversary of Sree Narayana Guru, Sage from Ezhava
community, in South Kanara and Udupi districts. The Billava-Ezhava tie up has
helped both. As now Nairs and Ezhavas are now acting jointly on many fronts in
Kerala for protecting interests of Hindus, Bunt-Nair unity would make
protection of Hindu interests more easy. In the face, of changing demography of
Northern Kerala and South Karnataka, a Bunt-Nair tie-up will have great
relevance.
