The Pulayar (also Pulaya, Pulayas, Cherumar, Cheramar, and Cheraman) is a caste 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.
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
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 Chittayam Gopakumar, deputy speaker of 14th Kerala legislative assembly Dharmajan Bolgatty, Indian actor
See also
Caste system in Kerala
Arts of Pulayar caste: Chimmanakali Mangalamkali