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

caste Caste is a form of social stratification characterised by endogamy, hereditary transmission of a style of life which often includes an occupation, ritual status in a hierarchy, and customary social interaction and exclusion based on cultura ...

group mostly found in the southern part of

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

, forming one of the main

social groups In the social sciences, a social group can be defined as two or more people who interact with one another, share similar characteristics, and collectively have a sense of unity. Regardless, social groups come in a myriad of sizes and varieties ...

in modern-day

Kerala Kerala ( ; ) is a 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 regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...

Karnataka Karnataka (; ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a state in the southwestern region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally known as Mysore State , it was renamed ''Karnat ...

and historically in

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is a States and union territories of India, state in southern India. It is 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 India ...

Traditions

Pulayars are noted for their music, craftsmanship, and for certain dances which include ''Kōlam-thullal'', a mask dance which is part of their exorcism rituals, as well as the

Mudi-āttam Mudi-āttam is an art form once prevalent, but now disappearing, in Central Travancore in Kerala. This is performed by the Pulaya The Pulayar (also Pulaya, Pulayas, Cherumar, Cheramar, and Cheraman) is a caste group mostly found in the so ...

or hair-dance which has its origins in a fertility ritual.

Demography

According to the 2011 Census, the Pulayan population in Kerala was 1,338,008. They are a

Scheduled Caste The Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are officially designated groups of people and among the most disadvantaged socio-economic groups in India. The terms are recognized in the Constitution of India and the groups are designa ...

under India's reservation system in the state of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Notable people

Nandanar Nandanar (also spelt as Nantanar), also known as Tirunalaippovar (Thirunaallaippovaar (The one who will go tomorrow)) and Tiru Nalai Povar Nayanar,Other names include: Nandan (Nanda, Nantan), Tirunalaipovanar, Nalaippovar, Nalaippovan was a ...

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

Ayyankali Ayyankali (28 August 1863 – 18 June 1941) was an Indian politician, prominent social reformer, educator, economist, lawmaker, and a revolutionary leader. He worked for the advancement of the oppressed people in the princely state of Travancor ...

(1863–1941), social reformer *

K. P. Vallon Kolote P. Vallon (2 January 1900– 14 April 1940) was a social reformer and leader of the Pulaya community in the Cochin State of Kerala. Along with Pandit Karuppan and Chanchan, he played a transformative role in the upliftment of the ...

(1894–1940), social reformer *

P. K. Rosy P. K. Rosy (Rajamma, Rosamma, Rajammal) was an Indian actress in Malayalam cinema. Her Pulaya (Dalit) caste background caused controversy. She was the heroine of Vigathakumaran (The Lost Child), directed by J. C. Daniel. She was the first he ...

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

Dakshayani Velayudhan Dakshayani Velayudhan (4 July 1912 – 20 July 1978) was an Indian parliamentarian 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 ...

(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 in English as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state o ...

, general secretary of Kerala Pulayar Maha Sabha (KPMS) *

K. G. Balakrishnan Konakuppakatil Gopinathan Balakrishnan (born 12 May 1945) is an Indian judge who has been the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of India. He is a former Chief Justice of India. He was the first judge from Kerala to become the C ...

, 37th

Chief Justice of India The chief justice of India (IAST: ) is the chief judge of the Supreme Court of India as well as the highest-ranking officer of the Indian Judiciary. The Constitution of India grants power to the president of India to appoint, in consultation w ...

C. T. Ravikumar Chudalayil Thevan Ravikumar (born 6 January 1960) (Malayalam: ചുടലയിൽ തേവൻ രവികുമാർ) is a judge of the Supreme Court of India. He is former judge of the Kerala High Court. Career Ravikumar enrolled as an a ...

, judge of the

Supreme Court of India The Supreme Court of India ( IAST: ) is the supreme judicial authority of India and is the highest court of the Republic of India under the constitution. It is the most senior constitutional court, has the final decision in all legal matters ...

* 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 Pathanamthit ...

, 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 28 states in India. The Assembly is formed by 140 elected representatives. Each elected member represents one of the 140 c ...

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 foraye ...

, 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