Ambalavasi, more properly Ampalavasi, (IAST: Ampalavāsi, ; ) is the generic name for a group of castes among Hindus in Kerala, India, who have traditionally rendered temple services.
Castes
The Ambalavasis are broadly divided into two groups, being those who wear the sacred thread and those who do not.
Sacred thread wearers Pushpakan
Pushpaka (Pushpakan Unni) Theeyatt Unni Puppalli Plappalli (Pilappalli) Nambidi Nambeesan
Threadless Ambalavasis Pisharody Marar Varyar Pothuval Others Chakyar Nambiar Kurukkal Padamangalam
Temple services
Though all Ampalavāsis have to do service in temples, they have sufficiently distinct functions to perform. Pushpakans and Nambeesans are teachers in the Pathasalas or Mutts and suppliers of flowers to temple. Chakyar stages dramas called Kooth and Koodiyattam. Marars are temple musicians. Variar and Poduval performed managerial and executive functions of temple committees and served as storekeepers and watchmen.
Social status Their ritual rank in Hinduism lies between that of a Brahmin and Nair. Ambalavasis who wear the sacred thread are Brahmins, while those who do not wear the thread, are not considered Brahmins in temple rituals. Ambalavasis were known as Antharala Jathikal.
Kazhakams Kazhakams or Ambalakkazhakams refer to associations of Ambalavasi peoples in a temple to perform specific duties in the temple.
Temple arts
Traditionally, Ambalavasis are associated with various types of temple arts. Earlier, each of these temple arts were performed only by specific Ambalavasi castes. Now there is no community or caste barrier.
Temple Art AssociatedAmbalavasi castes Koodiyattam Chakyar Kooth Chakyar, Nangyar (women of Nambiar) Quote: Nangyarkoothu is a traditional artform performed by the women of the Ambalavasi Nambiar community of Kerala, called Nangyaramma. However, people from other castes also has been performing the artform since the second half of the 20th century. Certain roles of Krishnanattam Mizhavu (Musical Instrument) Nambiar Thullal Pathakam Nambiar Theeyattu Ilathalam (Musical instrument) Vadyams (Musical instruments) like Chenda, Thimila, Idakka, Udukku etc. Marar Sopanasangeetham Panchavadyam Thayampaka Pandi Melam Panchari Melam Brahmanippattu Brahmani (women of Nambeesan)
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