The Pulayar (also Pulaya, Pulayas, Cherumar, Cheramar, and Cheraman) is a
caste 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 state in southern India. It is the tenth largest Indian state by area and the sixth largest by population. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu is the home of the Tamil people, whose Tamil language ...
.
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 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 (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
*
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
*
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
*
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
See also
*
Caste system in Kerala
The caste system in Kerala differed from that found in the rest of India. While the Indian caste system generally divided the four-fold '' Varna'' division of the society into Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras, in Kerala, the Malayali Br ...
Arts of Pulayar caste:
*
Chimmanakali
''Chimmanakali'' is an art form of Pulaya of north Kerala, south India. ''Chimmanam'' should mean humor or chat. Chimmanakali is associated with ''Garbhabali'' known as Kannal Kalampattu. The song sung for this play is known as ''chothiyum pidiym ...
*
Mangalamkali
''Mangalamkali'' is a dance ritual related to marriage functions as a form of entertainment. Usually '' mavilas'' (a tribe in kasaragod and kannur districts Kerala (state of south India) perform this. Certain music instruments too are used like '' ...
References
{{reflist
Scheduled Castes of Kerala
Malayali people
Telugu society
Scheduled Castes of Tamil Nadu
Social groups of Karnataka