Telugu Brahmins of Kerala
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Telugu Brahmins living mainly in the Thiruvananthapuram district in the Indian state of Kerala are members of the Indian Brahmin caste whose mother tongue is Telugu. Telugu Brahmins migrated to Kerala from the region of Andhra Pradesh, located in South India during the golden era of the erstwhile Travancore Kingdom. Telugu Brahmins are known for their accomplishments in religious, musical and cultural endeavors, but have less population in Kerala compared to other language minority communities.
[edit] Groups
Most of the Telugu speakingBrahmins in Kerala, like their larger branch in Andhra Pradesh, follow the Smarta traditions. The Smarta Brahmins follow Apastamba Smriti or Apastamba Sutra not the Manusmriti. Apastamba was one of the earliest lawmakers of south India who lived on the banks of the River Godavari. Boudhayana, Parasara, Yajnvalkya sutras and other laws were also important in the courts of Srikrishnadevaraya. Smartha Brahmins are worshippers of Lord Shiva and various other Acharyas who have contributed to the spread of the faith. The telugu Smaarta Brahmins can be grouped into two major divisions formed about 700-1000 years ago (most probably during Kakatiya dynasty rule), The Vaidiki and Niyogi. There third largest Telugu brahmin community are Dravidlu mostly native to Godavari region.
