Enayum, Thunayum

The dwindling number of Iyers. with their family relations.

Earlier, there were joint families with grandparents and grandchildren.

There were siblings. 

Now, most have a single child without “enayum, thunayum".

The following terms, very soon will be of the bygone days:

Atthaan [son of father’s sister], atthanka [daughter of father’s sister], ammaanji [maternal uncle’s son], ammanka [maternal uncle’s daughter], Atthai [father’s sister], Chitthappa [father’s younger brother, husband of mother’s younger sister], periyappa [father’s elder brother, husband of mother’s elder sister], maama [mother’s brother], maami [wife of maama], Atthimber [elder sister’s husband, atthai’s husband], Orppadi [wife of husband’s brother], thankai [younger sister], akka [elder sister], manni [wife of elder brother]. Atthaamanni [wife of atthaan], ammaanji manni [wife of ammaanji], kollupaatti [great grandmother], kolluppaatta [great grandfather], shaddakan [husband of wife’s sister], Matchinnan [ brother of wife], matchinni [sister of wife].

Parents, as a concession, solemnize the Upanayanam [Poonal ] of their sons. 

Most boys  do not even know  what achamanam is, let alone know what is sandyavandanam.

The names of nakshtram, months, thithis, weekdays were taught in mother-tongue. 

It was recited at dusk on lighting the Nilavilakku by grandparents and elders at home.

We move out of our homes  for our daily bread as well as for  greener pastures. 

It causes erosion and corrosion in our culture. Self-preservation is the law of Nature.