Pulluvan

Pulluvan

Pulluvan casting out devils
Regions with significant populations
Kerala
Languages
Malayalam
Religion
Hinduism

A schedule caste group in Kerala. They belong to the Hindu religion. The term pullu means a bird of omen. There are many sub-divisions within the Pulluva community, the majority known as Nagampatikal (people who sing snake-songs). There are also pulluvars who are not Naagampatikal, known as Pretampatikal (people who sing ghost songs).[1]

Most of the art forms of the Pulluvar are ritualistic. Most of their songs are related to worship, ritual, custom and exorcism. The pulluva art is expressed in the background of snake-worship, ghost worship and magic.[2]

The pulluvar of Kerala are closely connected to the serpent worship. One group among these people consider the snake gods as their presiding deity and perform certain sacrifices and sing songs. Known as 'Pulluvan Paattu', this is performed in the houses of the lower castes as well as those of the higher castes, in addition to serpent temples.

References

  1. ↑ Castes and tribes of southern India. Assisted by K. Rangachari (1909)
  2. ↑ L.S. Rajagopalan, "The Pulluvans and their music". The Journal of the Madras Music Academy 51 : 72-80, 1980
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