Who are Malayala Brahmins?
The Brahmins who came to Kerala and settled here centuries ago, as part of Aryanization, are known as “Malayala-Brahmins”. They include Embranrthiris, Namboothiris and Pottis. In the Travancore State Manual, it is indicated that 32 gramams established by Lord Parasurama are situated to the North of Perumpuzha (Payyannur or Kaveri River) the inhabitants of which are known as EMBRANS; the Brahmins inhabiting the villages from Perinchellur (Taliparamba) which is South of Perumpuzha to Ambalapuzha are known as Namboothiris, while those occupying the villages to the south of Ambalapuzha are called Pottis. There is an account about the settlement of Embranrthiris. It states that in 792 A.D. King Udaya Varman of Mooshika dynasty brought 237 Brahmin families from the Agraharas of Gunavantham, Deepavarthanam and Idukunjam and settled them at Kelathunad particularjy at the Cheruthaazham and north of it and assigned to them the title of EMBRANTHIRI. Their mother tongue is generally Tulu.
