Pulayar

Pulayar

Total population
(1,041,540 (2001))
Regions with significant populations
Languages
Malayalam
Religion
Hinduism,
Related ethnic groups
Parayar

The Pulayar (also Pulaya, Pulayas) are an untouchable caste[1] in Hinduism, forming one of the main social groups in modern-day Kerala and Karnataka as well as in historical Tamil Nadu or Tamilakam.

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.[2][3][4]

Demography

According to the 2001 Census, the Pulayan population in Kerala was 1,041,540, being 3.27 per cent of the total population.[5]

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.
  2. "PRIMAL ELEMENTS:THE ORAL TRADITION".
  3. "Early Evidence for Caste in South India, p. 467-492 in Dimensions of Social Life: Essays in honor of David G. Mandelbaum, Edited by Paul Hockings and Mouton de Gruyter, Berlin, New York, Amsterdam, 1987".
  4. http://www.soas.ac.uk/research/publications/journals/ijjs/file46109.pdf
  5. http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/dh_sc_kerala.pdf
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