KADAIYAN

The Kadaiyan belong to Scheduled Caste of Palakkad.  The word Kadaiyan means the last. Their mother tongue is Malayalam. Their traditional occupation is manufacturing of iron implements. .

Kadaiyan observe post delivery pollution for 15 days.  They also observe puberty rite. Marriage is held at the bride’s house. Thali is the sign of the marriage.  They bury their dead and death pollution lasts for 15 days.   

The Kaikolan are seen in Palakkad and Thrissur Districts.  They are migrated community from Kanchipuram of Tamil Nadu.  They are experts in weaving. The name of community derived from the words Kai (means hand) and Kol (means shuttle). Traditionallty they are handloom weavers. They use the title ‘Mudaliyar’.   Their language is Tamil. They are grouped under Other Backward Classes. They are Saivites and recognize Hinduism.

They practiced pre-puberty marriage in the past.  Now adult marriage is in vogue. They follow male line inheritance.  Seemantham rite is observed on seventh month.  Post delivery pollution last for 10 days.  On 28th day, they conduct irupathyettukettu rite. Naming ceremony is held in seventh month.  Mundan ceremony is held for both male and female children after one year. They observe puberty rite.  Previous to wedding ceremony they conduct nichayatamboolam (betrothal). The bridegroom tied thali around the neck of the bride. Before tying thali, a small yellow thread is tied on the wrist of both the couple.  The dead are buried. Death pollution is observed for 10 days.

The Kakkalan are residing in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Eranakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Kozhikode Districts.  They are also called Kakkan, Kuravan, Kakkala Panikkan etc.  They belong to Scheduled Caste category. They speak Malayalam having Tamil accent. Kainottam (sooth saying) is their traditional profession.

They observe Pulikudy rite in the seventh month of pregnancy. Birth pollution continues for 15 days.  Irupathyettkettu is conducted on 28th day of birth. When girls attain menarche they celebrate Therandukuli (Therandukalyanam), a puberty rite. Marriages are held at the bride’s residence. The bridegroom ties the thali around the neck of bride. They bury their dead. Death pollution lasts for 15 days.

Kalanadi were the soldiers of early rulers of Malabar.  They are seen in Wayanad District. They are also known as Kanaladi, Kalanadiyan.  They speak Malayalam.  The Government of Kerala groups them under Other Eligible Communities. They worship Bhadrakali, Malayakarinkkali, Poomali, Poothadi, Kalimalathampuran, Kandambuli, Kuttichathan etc. They are specialists in kala attam and theyyam kettu.

They observe pre-delivery ritual during the seventh month.  Birth pollution continues for 21 days.  Namakarana is done after three months.  They do not observe Mundan and first feeding ceremony.  Puberty rite is observed. Marriage is taking place at temples. The bridegroom ties thali around the neck of bride.  They bury dead bodies. On the 17th or 21st day, they held Pulakuli ritual.

 KALLADI

Kalladi belong to Scheduled Caste and they are seen in Malappuram District. They speak Malayalam. They have seven clans. They belong to the Hindu religion. Their main deities are Kuttichathan and Kali.   Traditionally their occupation is mat making and mat weaving.

They observe the ritual, pulikudy, during seventh month of pregnancy.  Naming ceremony is held after the removal of birth pollution on the 15th day.  Mundam and choroonu ceremonies are observed after six months. They also observe therandukalyanam when girls attain puberty. Elders arrange marriages.  Thali tied on yellow thread, bangles, vermilion are the symbols of marriage. They bury dead bodies and death pollution lasts for 15 days. 

The Kallasari are known as Puliassari, Kalpanickaran etc. They are inhabited everywhere in Kerala. Malayalam is their mother tongue.  and categorised under Other Backward Classes. They are non-vegetarians. Their family structure is nuclear. Traditionally they are masons.

They observe birth pollution for 15 days. They perform irupathyettukettu on the 28th day after birth. Choroonu is held at the sixth month. Marriage takes place in bride’s residence. Thali tying, exchanges of floral garlands are the main rituals of marriage. They bury their dead.  Death pollution lasts for 15 days.

 KALLATTU KURUP

Kallattu Kurup is also known as Kalam Kurup. According to a story, the origin of the community is as follows.  An artist who was a disciple of a sage was very much eager to see the true vision of the Goddess Thirumandhavu Bhagavathy. He took penance for several days and finally the goddess gave her vision.  He immediately drew the picture of the goddess on a stone. Thereafter, he was called Kallattu Kurup, since he has drawn picture on a stone (Kallu in Malayalam means stone). Since then, it is believed, the descendants of Kallattu Kurup have been engaged in Kalamezhuthu, an art form of drawing figures of goddesses on the floor using natural powder of various colours. The Kalllattu Kurup are inhabited in Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad and Thrissur Districts.  Their mother tongue is Malayalam. They belong to Ambalavasi community.  Their claim is that they are equal to Nairs in social ranking. They belong to Hindu religion.  Traditionally their occupation is Kalamezhuthu in temples. Agriculture, Government service, temple service are other sources of their income.  

In the past Kallattu Kurup females had Sambandham relationship with Namboodiris. They had also observed Kettukalyanam (pre-puberty marriage) in olden days.  Decades ago, they followed Marumakkathayam, which gave way to patrilineal system. They observe pulikudy during the seventh month of pregnancy.  Birth pollution lasts for 15 daus. On the 28th day they hold irupathiettukettu ritual. Choroonu is held on completion of six months.  They also celebrate therandukuli / therandukalyanam. Marriage ceremonies are held at the residence of bride.  Tying thali by the bridegroom is the important function of the marriage. They cremate the dead.  Sanchayanam is held on the seventh day of cremation.  Death pollution is observed for 15 days.          

The Kanakkan are seen in the Palakkad, Thrissur and Ernakulam Districtis.  They are alsoknown as Padannan. They belong to Scheduled Caste. Their mother tongue is Malayalam. Their traditional occupation is coconut harvesting and toddy tapping. They believe in Hinduism.

They perform pulikudy ritual on the seventh month of pregnancy.  Birth pollution lasts for 15 days and on 28th day they perform naming and choroonu ceremonies. They also hold thereandukuli rite when girls attain first menarche. Parents settle marriages. The Bridegroom with his parents and relatives goes to the bride’s house on the auspicious day. They carry bridal dress, thali etc.  On reaching the bride’s residence, they are welcomed and the boy and girl seated in a pandal.  The bridegroom then ties thali on the neck of bride. The sister of bridegroom completes the knot. The Kanakkan bury their dead. Pollution is observed for 15 days.

The Kaniyan is a corrupted version of Sanskrit word ‘Ganika’ which means an astrologer. They are also known as Ganakas, Kaniyar and Rashi Panicker. They believe they are the outcast Nambudiri. They spread throughout the state. They are divided into two groups, viz., the Thekke (south) Kaniyan and Vadakke (north) Kaniyan.  They are grouped under Other Backward Classes.  They write and speak Malayalam. The Kaniyan are Hindus. They use surnames such as Panikar, Kurup, Jyothish, Kanisan etc. Traditionally, they are the astrologers.  All communities used to consult them for writing horoscopes, deciding auspicious time for the conduct of various functions etc. They are experts in Deva prasna related with the temples and to find out the will of deities.
 
Birth pollution lasts for 14 days.  They perform palukudy ceremony on the 28th day.  Choroonu and naming ceremonies are performed during sixth month after birth.  The marriage takes place in bride’s residence. The bride and bridegroom exchange rings and garlands and the latter ties thali around the neck of bride. They cremate the dead.  Sanchayanam is done on the fifth day.  Pollution is observed for 14 days.

KARHADA BRAHMIN

The Karhada Brahmins are the migrants from Maharashtra.  They are settled in Kasargod, Kozhikode and Eranakulam.  They speak Kannada, Konkini and Malayalam.  They are Hindu Brahmins. They are the followers of the Rigveda and belong to Smarta sect. They are promoters of Yakshgana. Their traditional occupation is agriculture and priesthood.

They observe pumsavana and seemantham rites as pre-delivery rituals.  Birth pollution continues for ten days.  Namakarana, annaprasana ceremonies are held at the sixth month after birth.  Choula is done between to and three years.  Upanayana is held between seven and eleven years.  Marriage is held at the bride’s home. Betrothal is observed before marriage. The bride is brought to the marriage place and a curtain is placed between her and bridegroom.  On removal of the curtain, the girl and boy exchange garlands. Thereafter kanyadana is held. The ritual dhara (pouring water through the hands of bride and bridegroom) follows. Then thali tying and saptapadi rites are performed.  Thereafter, lajjahoma is performed and the bride is taken to the house of bridegroom. The dead body of Karhada Brahmin is cremated. Sanchayanam rite is performed on the second or third day.  Death pollution is for 11 days. 

The Karimbalan is also known as Karimpalan. The word Karimbalan is derived from the words Kari and Balan, which mean charcoal and boy respectively. The name might have derived from their occupation of collecting charcoal from forest.  They are seen in Kannur, Wayanad and Kozhikode Districts. They are classified under Scheduled Caste.

Their traditional occupation is charcoal making, hunting and basket making. They follow Hinduism.  They worship deities called Malakkari, Kariyathan, Chamundeswari, Gulikan, Kuttichathan, Karikutty etc. Their folk festivals are Kottam, Kariyatan, Kallmbetty devi festivals.The Karimbalan are experts in Kaliyattom dance. They also perform thera vellattom and theyyam art forms.
 
They observe pulikudy rite in the seventh month of first pregnancy.  Birth pollution lasts for 28 days.  Naming ceremony is performed on the 41st day and choroonu after three months. They also observe therandukalyanam (puberty rite). Marriage is conducted at the bride’s residence.  Thali tying and presentation of pudava are the main functions of the marriage.  The Karimbalan dead are cremated.  Death pollution is for 11 days.

KAVARA

Kavara community is inhabited in Palakkad, Thrissur and Ernakulam Districts.  They are also called Gavara.  They are grouped as Scheduled Caste. They belong to Hindu religion. Making mats and baskets are their traditional profession.

They observe birth pollution for 15 days.  Namakarana (naming ceremony) is done on the 28th day. Kavara arrange marriage through negotiations. The bridegroom goes to the bride’s residence with pudava, thali etc. Thali tying ceremony is held at bride’s residence. Choroonu is performed in seventh month.  They perform therandukalyanam (puberty rite). They bury the dead body.  Death pollution is observed for 16 days.

Kavuthiyyan claims that they were the migrants from Sri Lanka along with Izhava / Thiyya.  They are the barbers for Thiyya of Malabar region.  They speak and write in Malayalam.  They are classified under the category of Other Backward classes. They believe in Hinduism.

In past, they follow marumakkathayam, but now nuclear family is in existence. They observe post delivery ritual (Koottikondupokal) in the seventh month of pregnancy.  They observe another ceremony known as vayarukanal in the ninth month.  Birth pollution is observed for 13 days. They also observe therandukalyanam.  Marriages are initiated from the bridegroom’s side. It takes place in the bride’s residence.  Thali tying is the important rite of the function.  They practice both burial and cremation of dead bodies.  Death pollution is removed on the 5th day with the function of sanchayanam.

KIDARAN

Kidaran community is seen in Kannur and Kasargode Districts.  They belonged to Other Backward Classes.  Their mother tongue is Malayalam. Traditionally they are temple artists. They manufacture temple weapons such as sword, shield, arrow etc. They are experts in painting and decorating the weapons and idols of deities. They are specialists in preparing a special paint using manayola and chalilyam. They belong to Hindu religion. They also perform theyyam ritual dance. 

They observe seemantham known as pungan in the seventh month.  Birth pollution continues for 28 days. They do not practice mundan or choroonu rites.  They observe therandukalyanam (therandu mangalam) when a girl attains menarche.  Marriage is performed at the bride’s house. Tying of thali by the bridegroom around the neck of bride is the important function of marriage ceremony. They also exchange garlands. They cremate their dead.  Death pollution continues for 11 days.  On the fifth day sanchayanam rite is also performed.

It is believed that the Kollan are the sons of the Lord Viwakarama, the architect of the universe.  Kollan are also known as Karuvan.  They can be seen in almost all places of Kerala.  In Palakkad, Thrissur Districts they are also known as Perumkollan. They belong to Hindu religion and grouped under the Other Backward Classes under ‘Viswakarma’. They follow patrilineal system of inheritance.  Traditionally they are blacksmiths.

Kollan observe pulikudy ritual. Birth pollution is for 15 days. They observe irupathiettukettu on the 28th day.  Till recently, they celebrate therandukalyanam / therandukuli. Marriage is held at the bride’s residence. The bridegroom brings bridal dress and ties thali round the neck of bride and exchange garlands. They cremate their dead. Death pollution lasts for 15 days and on 16th day they observe pulakuli. 

Koodan belong to Scheduled Caste of Kerala and they are seen in all parts of Kerala. Their mother tongue is Malayalam.  They are agricultural labourers. They also engaged in fishing and selling of fish. They belong to Hindu religion. 

They observe birth pollution for 15 days. Namakarana, choroonu rituals are held on 28th 56th day. They also observe therandukalyanam.  Earlier, Koodan had sambandham with woman of his own community or with woman of lower communities. Now they marry within the community. Wedding dress, thali are given to the bride by the bridegroom. Thali is the marriage symbol of women. They bury the dead. Death pollution lasts for 15 days and on 16th day they held pulakuli rite known as pelapokal.

KSHATHRIYA

It is believed that Parasurama brought the Kshathriyas to Kerala. The Kshathriyas were once the rulers of Kerala such as Rajah of Travancore, Cochin, Mavelikkara, Kodungallur, etc. The Kshathriya community of Kerala is considered as a hybrid caste originated from the relationship between Brahmin and Kshathriya. They are divided into four groups viz., Raja (ruler), Kovil Pandala (treasurer of royal palace), Thampan (Thampuran or Lord) and Thirumulpad (who wait on kings). They can be found all over Kerala and their mother tongue is Malayalam. They were the rules and landowners. After the introduction of Kerala Land Reforms Act, their land holdings were taken over. They practice Hinduism.  They are highly educated and have entered all walks of life and profession.

Kottayathu Thampuran, Kottarakkara Thampuran, Swathi Thirunal, Parikshith Thampuran, A.R.Rajaraja Varma, Raja Ravi Varms, Kodungallur Kunhikuttan Thampuran are some among the vast list of patrons of art, learning and intellectual excellence of the community.In olden times, Khsthriya women were tying sari or pudava (a type of sari with golden borders) above the breasts without jacket and they wear special ornaments viz., Cheruthali, Enthram and Kuzhal. 

They followed marumakkathayam (matrilineal) and joint family system in the past. This is being replaced by patrilineal system. They observe punsavanam, seemantham (pulikudy), Irupathyettukettu (Irupathyettamulsavam), namakarana, choroonu, chaulam, therandukalyanam, upanayanam etc.

In olden days they celebrate thalikettukalyanam as in the case of Nairs. The thalikettykalyanam of Travancore royal family is known as Pallikettu. It is called thrithalicharthu in Kochi. Pallikkettu is held between seven and fourteen years of age of the girl. The bridegroom is a Namboodiri or Aryapattar.  The ritual longs for four days. The bridegroom reaches in a procession to the mantap where rites are to be held. Then the bridegroom gives bridal dress to the bride. After punyaham and homam, the bride gives udakapoorvam to the bridegroom. Then the ritual panigrahana takes place. Then the bride is guided to her room. On the fourth day both the bridegroom and bride wear dresses of yellow colour. In olden days Pallikkettu and real marriage were conducted separately and later transformed to real marriage. Now arranged marriages are in vogue. Ponnurukkul (preparation of thali chain in gold), Kappukettal (wearing silver bangles) are two rituals before the marriage.  Soon after the bridegroom reaches the palace of bride on the auspicious day, he is welcomed by the bride’s relatives and seated in the special mantap with the bride. The bridegroom ties thali around the neck of bride and exchanges flower garlands. After pallikettu, it is customary that the bridegroom shall reside in the bride’s palace. He will thereafter be known as ‘Koyithampuran’   They cremate their dead.  The death pollution lasts for 12 days.