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

See also

• Caste system in Kerala

Arts of Pulayar caste:

• Chimmanakali

• Mangalamkali

References