Pallichan Nair is an intermediate Nair subcaste [1][2] seen predominantly in Malabar and Cochin areas.
They are found in Travancore in very low numbers.
They are the palanquin / pallak bearers for the ruling dynasties, at some places for the Jenmi Namboothiris[3] and Nair chieftains.
[4] Vaniya Nairs and Pallichan Nairs are Theyyam worshippers and they have their own shrines for their Theyyams.
[5] Pallichan and Vattakad were treated as an intermediate class.