Wynad caste is surname of many people in southern India. Wynad caste meaning is Returned, at times of census, as a territorial division of Chetti. There are at Gudalur near the boundary between the Nilgiri district and Malabar, and in the Wynad, two classes called, respectively, Mandadan Chettis (q.v.) and Wynadan Chettis.
The following account of the Wynadan or Wynaadan Chettis is given in the Gazetteer of the Nilgiris. They speak Malayalam, and follow marumakkatayam (inheritance in the female line). They say they were originally Vellalas from Coimbatore, followed makkatayam (inheritance from father to son), spoke Tamil, and wore the [414]Tamil top-knot. In proof of this, they point out that at their weddings they still follow certain Tamil customs, the bridegroom wearing a turban and a red cloth with a silver girdle over it and being shaved, and the woman putting on petticoats and nose-rings. They have headmen called Kolapallis, subordinate to whom are Mantiris, but these are liable to be overruled by a nad council. No wedding may take place without the headmans leave. Two forms of marriage are recognised. In one, the couple exchange garlands after the Tamil fashion, and the father (a relic of the makkatayam system) conducts the ceremony. Preliminaries are arranged by go-betweens, and the chief of the numerous rites is the placing of a bracelet on the girls upper arm under a pandal (booth) before the priest and the assembled relatives. The other form is simpler. The bridegroom goes to the girls house with some men friends, and, after a dinner there, a go-between puts on the bangle. Before marriage, a tali-kettu ceremony resembling that of the Nayars is often gone through, all the girls of a family who are of marriageable age having talis tied round their necks on the same day by a maternal uncle. Married women are allowed intimacy with their husbands brothers. Widows are permitted to marry again. The dead are usually burnt, but those who have met their deaths by accidents and epidemics are buried. Water from a vessel containing rice and a gold coin is poured into a dying persons mouth. Should the spirit of the dead disturb the dreams of the relatives, a hut for it is built under an astrologers directions close to the house, and in this lights are lit morning and evening, and periodical offerings of food are made. The Wynaadan Chettis reverence the deities in the Ganapati, Mahamari and Kalimalai Tambiran temples near Sultans Battery, Airu Billi of the Kurumbas, and one or two [415]others. The women wear in their distended ear-lobes gold discs which are so characteristic of the Nayars, and many necklaces. They wear two white cloths, tying one round the waist and another across their breasts.
It is recorded, in the Gazetteer of Malabar, that the Wynad or Wynaadan Chettis claim to be Sudras, and are in appearance and customs very similar to the Nayars. They are polluted by all castes below Nayars. Their marriage customs seem to be a mixture of east and west coast practices. They follow the marumakkattayam system, and perform the tali-kettu kalianam; but this is done on the tenth day after puberty, and two talis have to be tied on the girl, one by her maternal uncle, and one by the senior female of her house. They also celebrate a regular marriage ceremony, at which a bracelet is put on the brides right arm, and bride and bridegroom garland each other; while next morning a kanam or bride-price has to be paid to the brides karnavan (senior male in a family). They are bold shikaris (sportsmen), and tiger spearing is a favourite pastime, closely connected with their religion.
The tiger is encircled by a wall of netting six feet high, which is gradually closed up, and then speared. The carcass is not skinned, but is stretched on a pole, and hung up as a sacrifice to their deity.
Wynad caste is one of the many castes subcastes of India.
India has thousands of castes and subcastes, they are in existence and practice since the Vedic times. They were created to solve the problem of division of labor. Wynad caste name could indicate the type of work people belonging to the Wynad caste do or did in earlier times. Many last names in India indicate the place the person originally belongs to. All castes sub castes are primarily divided into 4 categories:
1.Brahmins – The learned or priestly class
2.Khastriyas – The warrior class or those with governing functions
3.Vaishyas – The trader, agriculturalists or cattle rearers class
4.Shudra – The class that serves other three categories
Wynad caste belongs to one of the above 4 categories. Indian caste system is the best system to solve the problem of division of labor. In earlier times there was no rigidity in caste system. Indian caste system is still the best solution for the problem of division of labor, the only change that is needed as per changed times is that rather than having a vertical hierarchical system with Brahmins on top and Shudras at bottom, it would be good to have a horizontal socialist system with Brahmins, Khastriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras all at same level.
The caste system of India is in ruins at present. It is also cause of bloody quarrels in certain parts of the rural India. People of backward castes have reservations in government jobs, this facility is widely misused in India. Many of the backward caste people have become rich and still use the facility for their benefit. Many in India believe reservation in jobs should be given on the basis of poverty rather than caste because there are many poors in upper castes as well.
Many criticize the Indian caste system because of bad material condition of lower castes but if they observe in an unbiased way they would find that there are many in upper castes with bad material conditions. The problem lies in power not in castes, power can corrupt anyone be it from upper caste or lower caste.
All cultures, all countries, all religions have caste system in one form or the other. Christians have different churches depending on the region or language or skin color of people. Muslims have a priestly class that tries to control everything. Arab Muslims before the oil boom were so much divided among tribes that if you drank water from a well of a different tribe you could be shot dead. Tribal divisions still exists among Muslims. You can also see the caste system in a different form in your corporate companies. I had seen different food and drinking facilities for people at different levels.
Wynad caste is also known as Wynad Gotra.
Caste situation is quiet different in urban India, people in urban areas especially youngsters don?t bother about castes. Inter caste, inter religious, inter lingual marriages are quiet common in urban India. Inter caste, inter religious and inter lingual marriages in rural areas attract severe criticism and many times people are expelled from community for not marrying as per religious and caste rules.