Pulayar

Pulayar
ReligionsHinduism, Christianity, Buddhism
LanguagesMalayalam, Kannada
CountryIndia
Populated statesKerala, Karnataka, Tamilnadu
EthnicityMalayali
Notable membersAyyankali, P. K. Chathan Master

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 classified as a Scheduled Caste under India's reservation system in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.[2][3]

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

See also

Arts of Pulayar caste:

References

  1. ^ Moffatt, Michael (2015). An Untouchable Community in South India: Structure and Consensus. Princeton University Press. p. 42. ISBN 978-1-40087-036-3. Archived from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b "List of Scheduled Castes in the Kerala State". Kerala Public Service Commission, State Government of Kerala. Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Tamil Nadu". Ministry of Social Justice. 2017. Archived from the original on 18 November 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  4. ^ "PRIMAL ELEMENTS:THE ORAL TRADITION". Archived from the original on 9 February 2006. Retrieved 27 March 2006.
  5. ^ Paul Hockings, ed. (1987). "Early Evidence for Caste in South India". Dimensions of Social Life: Essays in honor of David G. Mandelbaum. Berlin, New York, Amsterdam: Mouton de Gruyter. pp. 467–492.
  6. ^ Palaniappan, Sudalaimuthu (2008). "On The Unintended Influence Of Jainism On The Development Of Caste In Post-Classical Tamil Society" (PDF). International Journal of Jaina Studies. 4 (2). eISSN 1748-1074. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  7. ^ "ചോഴികളി" (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India". www.censusindia.gov.in. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  9. ^ "Cong MP loses seat over fake SC claim". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  10. ^ "CPI functionary suspended for casteist remarks". 19 February 2017. Archived from the original on 11 March 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  11. ^ "Actor Dharmajan says two Congress leaders worked for his poll defeat". Archived from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2022.