Pulayar
Encyclopedia
The Pulayar, also Pulayar, Pulaya, or Pulayas or Holeya or Cheramar, are one of the main social groups found in Kerala
, Karnataka
and in historical Tamil Nadu
or Tamilakam.
and Tamil Nadu
. Thus they have maintained their local folkloric or pre-Hindu belief systems that were unique to that age and area.
Their marriage rituals were described by Edgar Thurston,. Nowadays many of these customs have fallen into disuse.
Traditionally women of this caste are more independent compared to the women of other caste.
The spiritual life of the Pulaya includes certain ancient magic rituals and practices that have a certain reputation. Members of the mainstream community may consult Pulaya sorcerers (Manthrikavadi) in Kerala, for advice.
Pulayas 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.
Other Pulayar traditions include the Theyyannam, a ritualistic dance performed by the Pulaya and Kurava communities. Theyyannam is found in Mavelikara, Pandalam and some places in Alappuzha District. When man turned to cultivation, his liking and respect for it began to increase. Though he cultivates different crops, he has a partiality for paddy cultivation. This is the theme of Theyyannam.Drum, Cymbal, Kuzhal, Perumbara, Conch, Cherututi, Utukku and Chermangalam are well known musical instruments used in Theyyaattam. The rhythm of the playing of these instruments varies from Theyyam to Theyyam. The continuous playing with measured interludes helps to make the performance very interesting. According to the rhythm of the instruments, the same instrumental players recite Thottams also of the particular deity.The thottam of pottan theyyannam (of pulayans) depicts the dialogue between Sree Shankaracharya and a elder of pulayan community, the verses "even if I am stabbed what comes out is blood and even if you are stabbed what comes out is blood" is very popular.
Bhadrakali thullal is a devotional offering of Pulayas for the deity Bhadrakali
. Special pandals are constructed in the fields after the harvest and the dances are performed. They are quite drawn-out and have numerous phases.
. Hence many even today call themselves as Cheramar. They believe they were once the royal blood line of King Chera. Later they were made a low caste by the higher castes like Nambudri's and Nairs. They are the first community in Kerala from Dalit community with local priests and Swami of Ramakrishna Missions.
in general and Kerala, in particular.
In the 19th century, Ayyankali
was influential in the upliftment of this downtrodden group. The followers of Ayyankali have an organization called Kerala Pulayar Maha Sabha (KPMS). It was formed with the help of C. P. Ramaswami Iyer.
In general the Pulayar have seen a revival in their Hinduism and economic conditions; some Pulayars like the former Chief Justice of India K. G. Balakrishnan
have risen to high positions.
In neighbouring Tamil Nadu state, the word Pulayar was replaced by Paraiyar
and Pallar
.
Due to affirmative action
s including Land Reforms and better education avenues in Kerala, Pulayars are making some progress.
stands at 1,041,540 forming 3.27% of the total population of Kerala. However, during earlier times, the Pulayan community constituted for a larger share of population in Kerala. For example the 1891 Census recorded 515,000 Pulaya Hindus comprising 8.68% of the total population. In Malabar, Pulayar comprised 12% of population in 1856 (the year when slavery was abolished), and in 25 years (1881) only 2% of population was Pulayar. The rest were converted to Islam as the status of a low-class Muslim was near Hindu Tiyar (Izhava) caste. But no large scale conversion of lower castes occurred during the 20th century.
In Travancore, the Hindu Pulaya population increased by 15% during the 1901–41 period, while the total population grew by 105.6%. Along with the conversion to Christianity, low birth rates might have caused the decrease in population share. According to 1941 Census, Ezhava
and Nair
women had an average of 3.84 and 3.61 children respectively, while Pulaya women had 3.43 children and the Paraiyar had 3.13 children.
Arts of Pulayar caste:
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
and in historical Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
or Tamilakam.
Traditions
The Pulayar people have their separate and exclusive traditions and beliefs, partly due to their segregation from the mainstream community at the bottom end of the caste system in KeralaKerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
and Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
. Thus they have maintained their local folkloric or pre-Hindu belief systems that were unique to that age and area.
Their marriage rituals were described by Edgar Thurston,. Nowadays many of these customs have fallen into disuse.
Traditionally women of this caste are more independent compared to the women of other caste.
The spiritual life of the Pulaya includes certain ancient magic rituals and practices that have a certain reputation. Members of the mainstream community may consult Pulaya sorcerers (Manthrikavadi) in Kerala, for advice.
Pulayas 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-attam
Mudi-āttam is an art form once prevalent, but now disappearing, in Central Travancore in Kerala. This is performed by the Pulaya and Paraya castes. Originally a fertility-dance, this is now staged as a community entertainment. Young women are the exponents of this. They should have long hair and...
or hair-dance which has its origins in a fertility ritual.
Other Pulayar traditions include the Theyyannam, a ritualistic dance performed by the Pulaya and Kurava communities. Theyyannam is found in Mavelikara, Pandalam and some places in Alappuzha District. When man turned to cultivation, his liking and respect for it began to increase. Though he cultivates different crops, he has a partiality for paddy cultivation. This is the theme of Theyyannam.Drum, Cymbal, Kuzhal, Perumbara, Conch, Cherututi, Utukku and Chermangalam are well known musical instruments used in Theyyaattam. The rhythm of the playing of these instruments varies from Theyyam to Theyyam. The continuous playing with measured interludes helps to make the performance very interesting. According to the rhythm of the instruments, the same instrumental players recite Thottams also of the particular deity.The thottam of pottan theyyannam (of pulayans) depicts the dialogue between Sree Shankaracharya and a elder of pulayan community, the verses "even if I am stabbed what comes out is blood and even if you are stabbed what comes out is blood" is very popular.
Bhadrakali thullal is a devotional offering of Pulayas for the deity Bhadrakali
Sitala
Sitala is a genus of air-breathing land snails, terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the family Helicarionidae. Sitala is the type genus of Sitalinae, that is a synonym of Durgellini.-Species:Species within the genus Sitala include:...
. Special pandals are constructed in the fields after the harvest and the dances are performed. They are quite drawn-out and have numerous phases.
Theories of origin
Pulayars are considered to be the original inhabitants of Kerala, and held much power. They gradually lost power to the Ezhavas, who immigrated from Sri Lanka. It is also said that they hail from the Chera dynastyChera dynasty
Chera Dynasty in South India is one of the most ancient ruling dynasties in India. Together with the Cholas and the Pandyas, they formed the three principle warring Iron Age Tamil kingdoms in southern India...
. Hence many even today call themselves as Cheramar. They believe they were once the royal blood line of King Chera. Later they were made a low caste by the higher castes like Nambudri's and Nairs. They are the first community in Kerala from Dalit community with local priests and Swami of Ramakrishna Missions.
Past occupations
The main occupation of pulayar was business. they were having a very busy life.Snake worship
Snake worship (nagaradhana) was prevalent among many Pulaya families all over Kerala.Surnames
They did use surnames like other groups. But off late many have been identified calling themselves as Cheramar or Cheraman Pulayan or Cheramar Pulayar or Cheramar ChristianCurrent condition
The status of the Pulayar as a group is the barometer of the success or failure of the caste reformation process that is going on in IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
in general and Kerala, in particular.
In the 19th century, Ayyankali
Ayyankali
Ayyankali was a leader of the Indian lower caste Dalits known as the Untouchables. He pioneered many reforms to improve the lives of the Dalits. In 1937 he was praised by Mahatma Gandhi when he visited Venganoor, Ayyankali's home town...
was influential in the upliftment of this downtrodden group. The followers of Ayyankali have an organization called Kerala Pulayar Maha Sabha (KPMS). It was formed with the help of C. P. Ramaswami Iyer.
In general the Pulayar have seen a revival in their Hinduism and economic conditions; some Pulayars like the former Chief Justice of India K. G. Balakrishnan
K. G. Balakrishnan
Konakuppakatil Gopinathan Balakrishnan is presently the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of India. He was formerly the Chief Justice of India....
have risen to high positions.
In neighbouring Tamil Nadu state, the word Pulayar was replaced by Paraiyar
Paraiyar
Paraiyar, Parayar, and Sambavar, anglicised by Europeans as Pariah are a social group found in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and in Sri Lanka . In the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, though they have been enumerated under three different caste names, they have generally been referred to as...
and Pallar
Pallar
The Pallar are a caste from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They are mostly agriculturalists in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka and amongst the Tamil diaspora...
.
Due to affirmative action
Affirmative action
Affirmative action refers to policies that take factors including "race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national origin" into consideration in order to benefit an underrepresented group, usually as a means to counter the effects of a history of discrimination.-Origins:The term...
s including Land Reforms and better education avenues in Kerala, Pulayars are making some progress.
Demography
According to the 2001 Census, the Pulayan population in KeralaKerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
stands at 1,041,540 forming 3.27% of the total population of Kerala. However, during earlier times, the Pulayan community constituted for a larger share of population in Kerala. For example the 1891 Census recorded 515,000 Pulaya Hindus comprising 8.68% of the total population. In Malabar, Pulayar comprised 12% of population in 1856 (the year when slavery was abolished), and in 25 years (1881) only 2% of population was Pulayar. The rest were converted to Islam as the status of a low-class Muslim was near Hindu Tiyar (Izhava) caste. But no large scale conversion of lower castes occurred during the 20th century.
In Travancore, the Hindu Pulaya population increased by 15% during the 1901–41 period, while the total population grew by 105.6%. Along with the conversion to Christianity, low birth rates might have caused the decrease in population share. According to 1941 Census, Ezhava
Ezhava
The Ezhavas are a community with origins in the region presently known as Kerala. They are also known as Ilhava, Irava, Izhava and Erava in the south of the region; as Chovas, Chokons and Chogons in Central Travancore; and as Tiyyas, Thiyas and Theeyas in Malabar...
and Nair
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
women had an average of 3.84 and 3.61 children respectively, while Pulaya women had 3.43 children and the Paraiyar had 3.13 children.
See also
- AyyankaliAyyankaliAyyankali was a leader of the Indian lower caste Dalits known as the Untouchables. He pioneered many reforms to improve the lives of the Dalits. In 1937 he was praised by Mahatma Gandhi when he visited Venganoor, Ayyankali's home town...
- Early Pandyan SocietyEarly Pandyan SocietyThe Early Pandyas were one of the dynasties that ruled the ancient Tamil country from the pre-Christian era to about 200 AD. The Sangam works such as Mathuraikkanci, Netunalvatai and the Purananuru collection give a lot of information about the life and habits of the people during this...
- Caste system in KeralaCaste system in KeralaThe caste system in Kerala differed from that found in the rest of India. While the Indian caste system generally modelled the four-fold division of society into Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Shudras, in Kerala the Nambudiri Brahmins formed the priestly class and only rarely recognized anyone...
Arts of Pulayar caste:
- ChimmanakaliChimmanakaliChimmanakali 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 pattu. Very often speeches braced with humor are held. The...
- MangalamkaliMangalamkaliMangalamkali is a dance ritual related to marriage functions as a form of entertainment. Usually Pulayas perform this. Certain music instruments too are used like Para and Kannupara. The dance is very fast.Margam Kali is an art form popular among the Syrian Christian community of the erstwhile...
Notables
- KG Balakrishnan, CJI and Chairman of NHRCNational Human Rights Commission of IndiaThe National Human Rights Commission of India is an autonomous statutory body established on 12 October 1993, under the provisions of The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 .-Functions:...
of India - T K C Vaduthala
- Prof. C Ayyappan