Thiyya Administration System

Thiyya Community Administration 

(Based on Kazhakams and Kavus)

Tara

The tara was the smallest unit in the ancient government system. It is an exemplary systematic administrative system through which  the Thiyya community organised and settle the disputes among them. Taras consisting of 2 or 3 villages. 

One Tara had 6 to 10 Tiya tarawads (ancestral houses). The administration of a Tara was controlled by the Karanavars of four important Tharawads. They were called Tarayil Karanavars. Executive head was called Nalappadi. Administration of justice was done by the Tarayil Karanavars after ameeting. When four Taras join together it becomes a Kalakam. There were Kottila, when 32 of 64 Taras joined together. There were two Kottils such as Andallur Kavu in Tellicherry and Nilamangalam Kazhakam near Nileswaram.

Each tara had its Tiyan chief (Tarayil Karanavar) or Tandan, its astrologer, its washerman, its goldsmith, and other useful people, eachserving the community for the sake of advantages. Each tara was its own world.

Pre-adalath discussion among the officiants of Nilamangala Kalakam before

going for final verdict

Today Taras and Kazhakams of Thiyyas Known in different names and some of them are Ara, Thara, Kazhakam, Mundya, Thaanam, Pathikkal, Arekkal etc. 

A Thiyya Kazhakam

Role of Karnavars among Tiya community

    

    There shall be a Karnvar in all Tharavads. Karnavar is the eldest male

member of exteded family. After his death another eldest member is selected

for his post. There is no particular ceremonies for this power transformation

function. A dispute between two members regarding his age is settled by the

Kalakam. 

A Thiyya Taravadu Karanavar

    some Tiya family had owned Kalari (martial school) along with their houses. Panikkan is the honour given to the martial exponents.  

    The powers of the Karnavars are limited as the family members have their own source of income from the labour works. The main function of the Karnavar is as follows:

1. To make the family members work in the lands of the family.

2. Apportion the income from the family property to the members.

3. Receive the paddy from the married ladies of the family.

4. Supervise the landed property of the family.

5. Conduct the festivals and rituals of the family.

6. Conduct the first marriages

7. Receive the bridal fees for getting the brides and giving the bridal fee

for the bridegrooms.

8. Understanding the ritual functions of the family shrines.

Kudiveeran (Karanavar) Theyyam Thottam

    Karnavar is worshipped as the god and honoured as the father after his

death.... There are teyyams performed in Tiya houses to worship the karanavars of that houses and tharwads. Karnavar teyyam is performed along with other Teyyams. The honor and affinity towards the Karnavan teyyam among tiyas is worth mentioning.Usually karnavar teyyam is to be performed as the first among teyyams in a house or in tharwads.It is only after karnavan teyyam, other teyyams are performed. Another important feature of karnavar teyyam is that it is treated as a family member of that particular house. Sometimes it enters into the rooms and interacts with the familly members.

Thiyya Karanavar theyyam

Officiants (Acharasthanikar) of Thiyya Community

1. Anthithiriyan

Anthithiriyan

2. Adichuthali

Belongs to the family of Anthithiriyan. 

3. Ooralanmar

Ooralan of Andalur Kavu

4. Velichappadanmar/Komaram (Oracle)

5. Samudayimar (Exexutives)

6. Tharayil Karanavar

7. Koottayikkar

Subscription Collectors

Koottayikkar

8. Kodakkar (Umbrella bearer)

9. Madayan

Madayan

10. Embron

11. Muttushanthi

12. Kalashakkaran

Kalasham

13. Ayathanmar

Ayathanmar

14. Vedikkaran