Pulaya

Pulaya (also called Cheraman, Cheruman, mas. Pulayan; fem. Pulayi, Pulachi; pl. Pulayar/Pulayas, Cherumar/Cheramar/Cherumas, ) is a caste 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.

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. The folk dance Chozhikali is performed by the Pulayar community of central Kerala.

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 Ayyankali (1863–1941), social reformer K. G. Balakrishnan, 37th Chief Justice of India Dharmajan Bolgatty, Indian actor Chittayam Gopakumar, deputy speaker of 14th Kerala legislative assembly Nandanar, a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism C. T. Ravikumar, judge of the Supreme Court of India P. K. Rosy (1903–1988), first heroine of the Malayalam film industry Punnala Sreekumar, general secretary of Kerala Pulayar Maha Sabha (KPMS) Kodikunnel Suresh, member of Parliament K. P. Vallon (1894–1940), social reformer Dakshayani Velayudhan (1912–1978), former member of the Constituent Assembly Vinayakan, actor and dancer

Pulaya

Bron en licentie