"Kurup" is a title of nobility among the
Nairs, historically given by different kingdoms to Nair individuals or families who have reached a high level of expertise in
Kalaripayattu or
warfare.
Title of Travancore Kingdom The Nair title "Kurup" is mainly divided into two types in the Travancore region.
Kurup title in early Travancore - "Kurup" is a title of nobility among Nair subcastes of old
Kollam (present-day
Kollam,
Pathanamthitta and
Alappuzha districts) and
Thiruvananthapuram region, which corresponds to the
Pillai,
Adiyodi,
Karthav,
Kaimal titles. They belong to the highest Nair subcaste of Travancore, the
Illathu Nair.
Kurup title in later Travancore - The power of Kurup reduced after the formation of
Travancore kingdom, Kurup title was later given to the High Steward of Travancore (Great officers of Travancore). They belong to the
swaroopathil Nair subcaste.
Title in Malabar and Cochin In the
North Malabar region, Kurup title is used by Nair families who expertise in Kalaripayattu, similar to the
Nambiar subcaste. These families belong to the
Purathu Charna Nair caste (later known as
Kiriyathil Nair), which is considered as higher to Kiriyathil Nairs of
south Malabar. Kurup is also the title of Kiriyathil Nairs of
south Malabar. It is also used by Nairs in the
Cochin region. They were considered similar to the
Menon title and worked as scribes in Swaroopams, they belong to the
Akattu charna and Kiriyathil Nair subcastes. == Notable people ==