Unni

Unni is a sub-group of Pushpaka Brahmin (Ambalavasi) caste, which comes under the Pancha-Dravida regional group of Brahmins. They use the surname Sharma as well as Unni. They belong to the Viswamitra Gotram. They wear the sacred thread "Yajñopavītam" (Pūnūl) and adhere to the 'Gayatri mantra'. They follow makkattayam (patrilineal) heritage system.

Origin, Etymology and History

It is believed that Unnis, like other ambalavasis, are the successors of the brahmins brought to Vaikom Thrikkovil by Parasurama.

In the early days they were a group of brahmins who provided "immediate assistance" to the main priests in the temples. They assisted the main priest by gathering flowers, leaves and water, making garlends, lightening the lamps (Vilakku), and in preparing and distributing temple materials. They also served as teachers in Pāṭhaśālas associated with temples and as managers of different activities in temples.

Since they entered in their career at an early age (of about 16 or 20), soon after their formal education, generally they were very much younger than the main priest. So the main priest used to call his assistants by the name Unni (maning 'Young Boy') or by suffixing the name Unni with their actual name. Gradually this name became the surname of this group of Pushpaka Brahmins.

There were Tīyāttunni, Pushpakanunni and Pattarunni. Tīyāttunnis were traditionally the performers of an art form called Tīyāttu. The famous Malayalam writer Kottarathil Sankunni was a Tīyāttunni whereas famous essayist D. Padmanabhanunni was a Pushpakanunni. Some of the "tiyattunnis" are known as "Sharma" and "Nambi"

Prominent Unnis

* Kottarathil Sankunni- Famous Malayalam writer; Writer of Aithihyamala and many other works
* K. S. Neelakantan Unni - Compiled many legends about temples, famous persons, etc and translated Kalidasa's "Shakuntalam" to Malayalam
* S. Damodaran Unni - Performer of Bhadrakali Tīyāttu, author of the monograph "Tiyyattunnikal"
* P N Krishna Sharma, Former Commissioner Travancore Devasvom Board
* Dr. S Vasudev, Former Director Technical Education, Kerala
* Divya Unni - Film Actress
* N.Unnikrishnan, Varenickal
* [http://www.unniwoodworks.com Joseph Unni] - Award winning artist and furniture designer in Lawrence Massachusetts.

ee also

* Brahmin
* Pushpaka Brahmin
* Sree Pushpaka Seva Sangham
* Pushpakadhwani
* List of Ambalavasi FamiliesUnnikrishnan, Varenicalunnikrishnan pk

References

* "Tiyyatunnikal" by S Damodaran Unni