NILAKARAYA: A tenant liable to service, more particularly the term is applied to tenants doing menial service.
NILAWASAMA: The tenement held by the Nilawasam tenants. The services, as those of the Uliyakwasam embrace all domestic and outdoor work of various and arduous kinds some of which, as those already enumerated under the Minumwasama, are the supplying of fuel and water to the kitchen and bath, the pounding of paddy, the extracting of oil, the mudding of walls and floors, the dragging of timber and other building materials, the preparation of clay and the supplying of firewood for the brick and tile kiln, blowing the bellows for the smith and supplying him with charcoal for the forge, the breaking of lime stones, the cutting of banks and ditches, putting up fences, clearing gardens, sweeping out courtyards and compounds, joining in all agricultural operations on gardens, fields, and hen, removing the crops, tying straw and assisting in thatching, the carrying of palanquins and baggage on journeys, conveying to the proprietor the penumkat, adukkukat, pehindumkat, mahekat, wasdankat, etc., supplied by the other tenants, joining in the preparations for festivals, carrying pandam in processions, and serving at the proprietor’s on occasions, of importance such as weddings, funerals, arrival of distinguished visitors, and at Yak and Bali ceremonies. Nilawasam tenants for the most part, are of a low caste or belong to the lower classes of the Vellala caste. Hence their yearly penuma to the proprietor, instead of being a kada of sweetmeats consists of vegetables and a contribution of raw or uncooked articles of food. Besides services as above, rendered to the proprietor, the Nilawasam tenants work for the proprietor’s Vidane, and for the Ganwasama, a few days in fields and hen and carry their baggage on journeys.
NILA-PANDAMA OR KILA-PANDAMA: The same as Kalapandama. q. v.
NINDAGAMA: A village or lands in a village in exclusive possession of the proprietor. Special grants from kings are under sannas.
NIYANDA: A plant, the fibres of which are used in making cords, strings for curtains and hangings and carpets or mats.
NIYAKOLA: The leaves of a shrub used for chewing with betel.
NULMALKETE: A ball or skein of thread.
O
OTU: Tax, tythe.