Janmam

Janmam, The exclusive right to, and hereditary possession of the soil in Malabar is denoted by the term jenmam which means birthright and the holder thereof is known as jenmi, jenmakaran or mutalalan. 'Janmam' thus, maybe described as a hereditary proprietorship. It is the freehold interesting the property in Kerala. A janmam interest may, therefore, be described as proprietary interest of a landlord in lands, and such a Janmam right is described as 'estate' in the Constitution, Balmadies Plantations Ltd. v. State of Tamil Nadu, AIR 1972 SC 2240 (2244): (1972) 3 SCC 133: (1973) 1 SCR 258. [Constitution of India, Art. 31A (2)(a)(i)]