Pisharody Samajam โ An Overview
Pisharody Samajam is a prominent cultural and social organization representing the Pisharody Community, which has made significant contributions in the fields of intellectual, cultural, and social movements in Kerala and beyond.
Formation and Purpose
- Registered inย 1977, with the goal of supporting not just the Pisharody community, but also theย underprivileged from other communities.
- Providesย scholarshipsย on merit and need basis for students’ higher education.
- Extendsย financial aidย for medical treatments, marriages, and monthly pensions for the elderly without livelihood.
Infrastructure and Activities
- Headquartered inย Thrissur, in a two-storied owned building.
- Has branchesย across Kerala and outside.
- Publishes a magazine titledย โThulaseedalamโย to:
- Share community news.
- Encourage literary and cultural contributions.
Origins and Cultural Heritage of Pisharody Community
The origin of the Pisharody community is not definitively recorded, and is a blend of history, legend, and linguistic evolution.
Connection to Swamiyars and Namboodiris
- In eliteย Namboodiri Brahminย families, only the eldest son married, while others often tookย sanyasa (ascetic life).
- Sanyasis lived inย Swamiyar Madoms, renouncing family life.
- Younger sanyasis were referred to asย “Sharas” or “Pisharas”ย by their elders (Sree Gurukkal).
- The respectful suffixย โadiโย was added, evolving the name toย Pisharadi.
Cultural Similarities
- Funeral ritesย of Pisharadees closely resemble those of Swamiyars โ seated burial posture with the body placed eastward in aย salt-filled pit.
Theories on the Etymology of ‘Pisharody’
1. Pishara_Odi (Pisharody)
- Derived from the legend of a Namboodiri who backed out from becoming a sanyasi during the hair-pulling ritual.
- He was calledย “Pizhathe Odi”, laterย “Pishara Odi”, meaningย “one who fled from sanyasa”.
- The name varies regionally:ย Pisharodikalย in the north andย Pisharadikalย in the south of Kerala.
2. Vishahara Adikal Theory
- Possible origin fromย โVishahari Adikalโ, poison healers from Tamil Nadu.
- The name evolved fromย Vishahariย โย Visharadiย โย Pisharadi.
3. Temple Connection โ Pisharakan
- โPisharakanโย meansย Ambalavasiย (temple-related caste).
- Their homes are calledย โPisharamโย orย โSharamโ.
- Connected with temple services collectively known asย Kazhakam, categorized as:
- Malakettu Kazhakam
- Vilakkeduppu Kazhakam
- Adichuthali Kazhakam
Conclusion
The Pisharody Community holds a unique place in Keralaโs cultural fabric โ with roots possibly linked to ascetic traditions, temple service, and folk healing, and a modern legacy of education, charity, and cultural preservation through organizations like Pisharody Samajam.