Achan (title)
Achan is a title that was mainly in use by the eldest male members of a family in Kerala, India. It is a word for father in Malayalam Language. The Christian Priest is also called "Achan" in Kerala.[1] They mainly belong to wealthy families from different communities.[2]
There were many Achan families who were historically significant in Kerala.
● The Paliath Achans, who were cheftians of areas in Thrissur and North Paravur, were given rights as the hereditary prime ministers of the Maharajah of Cochin in the year 1632.[3][4]
● The Mangat Achans of Calicut who were by tradition, prominent landlords and hereditary prime ministers under the Zamorin.
● The male members of the ruling family of Palakkad (Kombi Achan) also bore the title Achan. [5]
● Meenachil Karthas who were members of a royal family, which ruled the kingdom of Meenachil from the 15th century AD until 1754 were given the title Njanachan by the cheraman perumals).[6]
● Vaniya Nairs also held Achan title For example, Kunjikannan Ezhuthachan, a Vaniya Nair, was conferred the title "Nambrath Achan," by the kolathiri where Nambram refers to a place.[7]
Other Achans of Malabar included:
• Eranholi Achan of Thalassery
• Cheruvalli Achan who were also known as the Venganad Nampidi of Kollengode bore the title.
• Kalathil achan of Malabar.[8]
References
- ^ John, Haritha (1 February 2020). "Hate speech by Kerala Catholic priest is just one part of the system's hypocrisy". The News Minute. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
- ^ Choondal, Chummar (1988). Christian Folklore. Kerala Folklore Academy.
- ^ "Weaving Chendamangalam | Craft Documentation & Research Kerala Handloom". 18 October 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ Vinai, Maya (2021). "Health and Healing: Retention of the Popularity of Ashtavaidya Tradition during the Colonial Regime". Rupkatha Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities. 13 (2). doi:10.21659/rupkatha.v13n2.06. S2CID 237251956.
- ^ Kāṇippayyūr Śaṅkaran Nampūtirippāṭ in Aryanmarude Kudiyettam Vol III, Panchangam Press, Kunnamkulam, Kerala; See Chap. 4 Reprinted 2011
- ^ "Meenachil Kartha's Palace | ആയിരം വർഷം ഭരിച്ച മീനച്ചിൽ കർത്താക്കന്മാരുടെ മഠം | Navy George | MV 1". YouTube. 19 March 2021.
- ^ Online, Janmabhumi (1 September 2015). "കുഞ്ഞിക്കണ്ണന് എഴുത്തച്ഛന് എന്ന നമ്പ്രത്തച്ഛന് സമാധിദിനം നാളെ". Janmabhumi. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
- ^ "Mangat Achan – The Zamorin's Commander in Chief". 27 February 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2024.