The Pulayar (also Pulaya, Pulayas, Cherumar, Cheramar, and Cheraman) is a

caste A caste is a Essentialism, fixed social group into which an individual is born within a particular system of social stratification: a caste system. Within such a system, individuals are expected to marry exclusively within the same caste (en ...

group mostly found in modern-day Indian states of

Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...

Karnataka Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...

and historically in

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...

. They are classified as a Scheduled Caste under India's reservation system in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Traditions

Pulayars are noted for their

music Music is the arrangement of sound to create some combination of Musical form, form, harmony, melody, rhythm, or otherwise Musical expression, expressive content. Music is generally agreed to be a cultural universal that is present in all hum ...

craftsmanship Workmanship is a human attribute relating to knowledge and skill at performing a task. Workmanship is also a quality imparted to a product. The type of work may include the creation of handcrafts, art, writing, machinery and other products. Workma ...

, and for certain dances which include ''Kōlam-thullal'', a mask

dance Dance is an The arts, art form, consisting of sequences of body movements with aesthetic and often Symbol, symbolic value, either improvised or purposefully selected. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoir ...

which is part of their exorcism rituals, as well as the Mudi-āttam or hair-dance which has its origins in a fertility ritual. The folk dance Chozhikali is performed by the Pulayar community of central Kerala.

Demography

According to the 2011 Census, the Pulayan population in Kerala was 1,338,008. They are a Scheduled Caste under India's reservation system in the state of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Notable people

Nandanar Nandanar (also spelt as Nantanar), also known as Thirunaallaippovaar () and Tirunallaipovar Nayanar,Other names include: Nandan (Nanda, Nantan), Tirunalaipovanar, Nalaippovar, Nalaippovan was a Nayanar saint, who is venerated in the Hindu se ...

, a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism *

Ayyankali Mahatma Ayyankali (മഹാത്മ അയ്യൻകാളി; 28 August 1863 – 18 June 1941) was an Indian politician, prominent social reformer, educator, economist, lawmaker, and revolutionary leader. He worked for the advancement of ...

(1863–1941), social reformer * K. P. Vallon (1894–1940), social reformer *

P. K. Rosy Poulose Kunji Rosy (10 February 1903 – 1988), known as P. K. Rosy, was an Indian actress and the first woman to act in a Malayalam film. She starred in J. C. Daniel's silent film ''Vigathakumaran'' (''The Lost Child''), for which she was tar ...

(1903–1988), first heroine of the Malayalam film industry *

Dakshayani Velayudhan Dakshayani Velayudhan (4 July 1912 – 20 July 1978) was an Indian politician and leader of the oppressed classes. Belonging to the Pulayar community, she was among the first generation of people to be educated from the community. She holds ...

(1912–1978), former member of the Constituent Assembly *

Punnala Sreekumar Punnala Sreekumar is the general secretary of Kerala Pulayar Maha Sabha. He was re-elected during the 51st State Conference held at Kozhikode Kozhikode (), also known as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in ...

, general secretary of Kerala Pulayar Maha Sabha (KPMS) * K. G. Balakrishnan, 37th

Chief Justice of India The chief justice of India (CJI) is the chief judge of the Supreme Court of India and the highest-ranking officer of the Indian judiciary. The Constitution of India grants power to the President of India to appoint, as recommended by the outg ...

* C. T. Ravikumar, judge of the

Supreme Court of India The Supreme Court of India is the supreme judiciary of India, judicial authority and the supreme court, highest court of the Republic of India. It is the final Appellate court, court of appeal for all civil and criminal cases in India. It also ...

* Kodikunnel Suresh, member of Parliament *

Chittayam Gopakumar Chittayam Gopakumar (born 30 May 1965) is an Indian politician who belongs to the Communist Party of India. He got elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for the first time in 2011 as a candidate from Adoor constituency in Pathanamthitta D ...

, deputy speaker of 14th

Kerala legislative assembly The Kerala Legislative Assembly, popularly known as the Kerala Niyamasabha, is the State Assembly of Kerala, one of the 30 states in India. The Assembly is formed by 140 elected representatives. Each elected member represents one of the 140 ...

Dharmajan Bolgatty Dharmajan Bolgatty (born 1976) is an Indian actor, producer, comedian, politician and entrepreneur , who works in Malayalam films, television, and stage shows. He began his career as a comedian appearing in sketch comedies on stage, later for ...

, Indian actor

References

{{reflist Scheduled Castes of Kerala Malayali people Telugu society Scheduled Castes of Tamil Nadu Social groups of Karnataka

Traditions

Demography

Notable people

See also

References