General
We belong
to the Hindu community, evolved through centuries of nature worship, which
compose the majority of the Indian population. Being catholic in disposition,
almost every other faith has been welcomed and nurtured here. The
communal harmony is unrivalled and as in geographical features, cultures,
languages, have given rise to the apt cliché “Unity in Diversity”.
We are part of the Nair commune, who were traditionally the able warriors and the trusted custodians of the land, in the hierrachy. Legendary loyalty was their claim to fame.
The architecture
of Kerala before the advent of the modern method kept in mind the climatic
variations here. The ancient Vasthu Sasthra dictated the
framework for constructions. By enjoining the worship of flora and fauna-
still prevalent through the kavu or the sacred groves - environmentalism
was in its germ. With slopping roofs to ward off the torrential rains,
the aristocrats built single to double storey four sided houses called
naalukettu
enclosing an open courtyard
or nadumuttam.
The more affluent built this with two coutyards forming a ettukettu.
This housed large joint-families which was the dominant system then.
The family stucture was based on Matriarchal succession. Nephews took over the mantle of the family from their Uncles as Karanavar or The elder.
The marriage
practice, which survives still today, is through ‘arranged consent’. Getting
the approval of other family members before the bridegoom gets to know
the bride strenghthen the bond between them and their in-laws as here the
family ties
are stronger.
Parents
My
parents come from the old family set-up and have respectable educational
background . In fact, Kerala is comparable to western nations in Literacy
level. My father Mr. P. Prabhakaran Nair, occupied a prime post in
Government service and my mother Mrs. N. Lalitha Bai, is a teacher by profession.
Both are now happily retired, passing on their invaluable wisdom to their
grand children.
My paternal
grandfather was a headmaster and has eight children in as whereas my maternal
grandfather has four.
My mother
has a strain of Illam Nairs.
Her own father was a landlord of standing; she and my father were first
cousins- Murappennu & Muracherukkan.
Large families
were the norm them residing in large joint family groups each of their
sibling are carried and happily settled
elsewhere.
Eldest
Brother-in-Law
My eldest
brother in law- Mr. J. Mohanan Nair, whose
father served in the police department, comes from family of four children.
He is bank employee, as my eldest sister- Mrs.
Sreekala Devi P.L., is a teacher and their love daughter Miss. Greeshma
M.S., is a school student.
Elder
Brother-in-Law
My elder brother
in law Mr. K.S. Prabhukumar., is with Indian
railways, the largest employer in the world. His father worked in the Public
works department, their mother was a teacher and they too were four strong.
My elder sister Mrs. Sreelatha Devi P.L.,
too is a teacher and their elder daughter Miss.
Priyanka .S. Prabhu, is in school while the twins Master Abhijith
and Abhishek, younger to her are the youngest of the family.
Younger
Brother-in-Law
My younger
brother in law's- Mr. Ravikumar. C., father
was in Malaysia. One of four children he is an engineer working with the
IndianSpace Research Organization, My sister- Mrs.
Sreeja Rani P.L., is a bank employee and their only daughter
Miss
Lakshmi Priya, is in the UKG.
Father-in-Law
As
regards my father in law Mr. Velappan Nair, he was an army captain, who
saw active service and had won the prestigious Presidents medal for meritorious
service twice in his tenure. And my wife’s mother Mrs. Indira Bai,
is a teacher. The only sister Miss. Chitra Lekha, of my wife is an
aerodrome assistant with the Airport Authority of India.
MySelf
I am the third
of the four children and the only son. Everyone is duly married and except
me, are proud parents themselves. Though constrained in a nuclear family,
traces of joint-family still exist, with us sharing the common premises.
Each of my
sisters and brothers-in-law is employed in reputable capacity. Their adorable
children enjoy the warmth of affection and attention.
I myself am
a new householder with the elder daughter from a distinguished family as
my ‘better-half’. She Mrs. Indu Lekha, and her younger sister vie with
each other in academic distinctions. As for myself, my work will stand
for my competence.
Resume
EDUCATION
B.Sc., Mahatma Gandhi College, University of Kerala.
PGD in PR and Journalism, Public Relations Society of India, Kerala Chapter.
PG in German Language and Literature, University of Kerala.
Diploma in English for communication, University of Kerala.
Certificate in PC Software, Institute of Management in Government.
Certificate in Elenmentary11, Max Mueller Bhavan, and Pune.
Certified Tour Leader, Approved by Govt. of India, Ministry of Tourism.
RELATED
EXPERENCE
Sub-Editor, World Malayalee Centre, Trivandrum. HQ. New Jersey.
German
Translator cum Instructor, WISS, Trivandrum, Branch of ASIS AG,
Bösingen, Switzerland
Tour
Leader, ESCO REISEN, SWITZERLAND
Tele-marketing Executive, for THE BRITISH BANK OF MIDDLE EAST, Trivandrum.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Scholarship from Max Mueller Bhavan Madras 1995 (3 times).
Held offices of Sergeant at Arms, Editor,International Director,Secretary
of the Rotaract Club of
Trivandrum,
Kowdiar.
Member-M.G. college Cricket Team from 1987 to1988.
Member of Alliance Franchise de Trivandrum.
Second prizewinner of the Inter-Collegiate Festival held at Trivandrum1993-94
for Potter guise, Collage,
and Watercolor.
Published articles and Photographs in the Family
Encyclopedia, Grihalekshmi, World Malayalee Journal,
KalaKaumudi,
Deshabimani, Madhyamam.(Vernacular publications)
CAPABILITES&
STRENGTHS
Perseverance
Self Motivated
Can attend varied activities at a time.
Can withstand stress without affecting activities on hand.
Inter-disciplinary orientation.
Self-awareness
Effective communication.
HOBBIES
Photography,
Painting, Listening to Music.
OTHER RELEVENT
DETAILS :
Holder
of Indian Passport L 440732.
Marital
Status: Married
REFERENCE
:
Mr.Thomas
william Jude
Managing
Director, Wiltech Software Solutions (P) Ltd, Vazhuthacadu, Trivandrum.
Prof.
V.C. Chacko,
Rtd.
Prof. of German, Peroorkada, Trivandrum.
CONTACT:
‘Sreegiri’,
T.C 6/1683,
Vettamukku,
Thirumala
P.O,
Thiruvananthapuram-695006
Ph: ®0091-471-363487
E-mail-giriprasad@
hotmail.com
Fax-0091-0471-361160.
What
is an Illam?
Not
so long ago the whole of Indian subcontinent was ruled by provincial dynasties
within the British Empire. The
royal families
patronized certain loyal households, which later bore the esteemed position
of Amma veedu or the house of
the matron.
The social hierarchy had the landed gentry at the apex with the tenant
farmers and peasants bringing up the
rear. Brahmin’s
as the priestly class held special privileges and the Nair
families, which win their favors, were honored as Illam nairs. Illam being
the designation of ancestral Brahmin households.
Old custom of Marriage!
The
custom of marrying off cousins to each other was an age-old practice evolved
to keep the ancestral property
passing onto
other hands through matrimony. This is still in vogue wherein the concerned
are termed ‘muracherukkan’ or the ordained guy and ‘murappenuu’
or the ordained girl.
