Marar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Marars belong to the Ambalavasi sect of Malayalis, who are engaged to assist the Namboodiri priests in the temples. They have been described in old texts and scripts, like all other Ambalavasis as Ardha-Brahmana (Semi- Brahmins). The Marars were the custodians of the Sopanaganam or the holy music of the Gods and played the drums in the temples.
Contents |
[edit] Occupation
Marans are temple musicians who are main custodians of the Sopana system of music or the music of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Poduval is another caste of temple musicians. Marars are experts in percussion instruments like Edakka, Maddalam, Chenda. Initially they were called Marayars.
[edit] Gotra
Marars belong to the Kaushika gotra which adheres to the Panchakshara Mantra.
[edit] Marans
In Travancore they are known as Marans and are considered a Nair subcaste rather than Ambalavasi. They are a polluting caste, although an upper caste. They not only provided the music in Temples but also did funeral ceremonies for the Nairs. Hence the religious pollution.
[edit] Trivia
A Marar alias Marayar house is known as a Marath. Marar ladies are known as Marasiyars or Marasyarammas. While their husbands were the Temple musicians, they worked alongside the Warasyars in making garlands. The Marar ladies also sang the Bhajans at Temples and the 'Subhadra Veli' at high caste weddings.
