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Kurup of Travancore (alternatively Guyrip, Kuruppu or Kuruppanmar), meaning "Guru" in Sanskrit was a title used by Nairs in the Kingdom of Travancore,[1] many among them were powerful warlords, also serving as warriors and army generals. Additionally, a segment of the Nair Kurup belonged to the "Naaduvaazhi" and landlord class in Venad until the 17th century and they mostly belongs to the Illam and other subcastes in Travancore Nair caste. Kurup is also the title of Kiriyath Nairs in Malabar and Cochin. The Nair Kurup caste is unrelated to other Kurups. It is important not to confuse them with the Kurup Caste, Kalari Kurup, etc., as they have distinct identities.[1]
 The painting depicts an old man from the Nair caste of medieval Kerala | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Kerala | |
| Languages | |
| Malayalam, Sanskrit | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Nambiar, Nair Pillai, Madampi, Malayali Brahmin |
Etymology
editThe word "Kurup" originated from the Sanskrit word "Guru," which means 'Master' or "Spiritual teacher".
"Kurup" is a title of nobility among Nair subcastes, other higher titles of nairs such as Pillai, Nambiar, Unnithan, Thampi, Panicker, etc.[1]
Well-known Kurups of Travancore include Azhakath Kurup, a Nair noble man who represented Nairs in the Ettara Yogam or the King and Council of Eight, the longstanding administrative setup of the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple for centuries.[1][2]
Notable people
edit
- Azhakathu Padmanabha Kurup, Indian scholar
- O. N. V. Kurup, Indian poet
- Madavoor Vasudevan Nair, Kathakali artist
- Raghava Kurup Narendra Prasad, Indian actor
- K. N. P. Kurup, Indian politician
- K. Narayana Kurup, Indian politician
- Parvathy Jayaram, Indian actress
- Guru Kunchu Kurup, Kathakali artist
- M. R. Kurup, Indian scientist
- P. Narayana Kurup, Indian poet
- Vennikkulam Gopala Kurup, Indian poet
- Bhama Kurup, Indian actress
- Saiju Kurup, Indian actor
References
edit- ^ a b c d Lannoy, Mark de (1997). The Kulasekhara Perumals of Travancore: History and State Formation in Travancore from 1671 to 1758. Leiden University. p. 201. ISBN 978-90-73782-92-1.
- ^ "Introduction: Pilgrimage, Landscape, Heritage", Christian Pilgrimage, Landscape and Heritage, Routledge, pp. 17–37, 5 December 2014, retrieved 28 December 2023
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