The Pulayar IPA: [pulɐjɐr] (also Pulaya, Pulayas, Cherumar, Cheramar, and Cheraman) is a caste[1] group mostly found in modern-day Indian states of Kerala, Karnataka and historically in Tamil Nadu. They are a classified as a Scheduled Caste under India's reservation system in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.[2][3]
| Pulayar | |
|---|---|
| Religions | Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism |
| Languages | Malayalam, Kannada |
| Country | India |
| Populated states | Kerala, Karnataka, Tamilnadu |
| Ethnicity | Malayali |
| Notable members | Ayyankali, P. K. Chathan Master |
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 or hair-dance which has its origins in a fertility ritual.[4][5][6] The folk dance Chozhikali is performed by the Pulayar community of central Kerala.[7]
Demography
According to the 2011 Census, the Pulayan population in Kerala was 1,338,008.[8] They are a Scheduled Caste under India's reservation system in the state of Kerala[2] and Tamil Nadu.[3]
Notable people
- Nandanar, a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism
- Ayyankali (1863–1941), social reformer
- K. P. Vallon (1894–1940), social reformer
- P. K. Rosy (1903–1988), first heroine of the Malayalam film industry
- Dakshayani Velayudhan (1912–1978), former member of the Constituent Assembly
- Punnala Sreekumar, general secretary of Kerala Pulayar Maha Sabha (KPMS)
- K. G. Balakrishnan, 37th Chief Justice of India
- C. T. Ravikumar, judge of the Supreme Court of India
- Kodikunnel Suresh, member of Parliament[9]
- Chittayam Gopakumar, deputy speaker of 14th Kerala legislative assembly[10]
- Dharmajan Bolgatty, Indian actor[11]
See also
Arts of Pulayar caste: