The Vadukan is a community found in Palakkad. They were tenants of royal families of Chitoor. In olden days, they were the bullock-cart men, who transport goods from one place to another. They speak in a dialect of their own. They belong to Hindu religion and classified under Other Backward Classes. Majority of Vadukan are landowners and they are agriculturists.

Vadukan observe birth pollution for 10 days. They celebrate irupathyetuukettu on the 28th day of birth. Choroonu is held after six months and mundan is performed after three years. They perform therandukalyanam in a simple way. Marriges are held at the bride’s residence. Usually they conduct marriage functions during night hours. (reciting holy verses (worship of eight places), panigraha mantrajapam and gayarimantrajapam (chanting holy verses) are to be performed before tying thali by the bridegroom. They cremate their dead. Death pollution (pula) lasts for 15 days.

VALAN

The Valan are a fishing community seen north to Eranakulam. They are fishing mainly in backwaters. The name valan derived from the Malayalam word ‘vala’ which means net that they use for fishing. Their mother tongue is Malayalam. They follow Hinduism. Government include under Other Eligible Community. They are non-vegetarians.

They observe pre-delivery rite and post delivery pollution. Naming ceremony is held on the 28th day and choroonu is held when child attains the age of six month. They observe puberty rite also. Tying thali by the bridegroom is the main ritual of marriage. They bury their dead. Death pollution (pula) lasts for 11 days.    

VALLUVAN

It is believed that the Valluvan were the priests to the Pallava rulers before the advent of Brahmans. One version is that the ancestor of Valluvan is one of the twelve sons of Vararuchi, a famous Brahmin astrologer and the King of Avanthi, and his Paraya (a untouchable community) wife. Valluvan are inhabited in Kannur, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Thrissur and Malappuram Districts.  Their mother tongue is Malayalam.  and grouped under Scheduled Caste. They are non-vegetarians.

Valluvan observe post delivery pollution for 28 days. Marriage rituals are held at the bride’s residence. Thali tying is the important ritual. They bury their dead. Death pollution lasts for 16 days. 

VANIYAN

Legend says that God Brahma created thousand children who were brought up by Goddess Vani (Saraswthy) and they were the ancestors of Vaniyan. The Vaniyan are also known as Chakkan. Chakku means a mill operated manually for extracting oil. Chakkan is the person who operates the mill. Some historians hold the view that the term Vaniyan derived from the word vanijyam, which means trade.  Vaniyan claims that they are Vaisyas.  Vaniyan is distributed in all districts of Kerala.   Their mother tongue is Malayalam. Vaniyans of Thiruvananthapuram used to converse in Tamil.   and the Government grouped them under Socially and Educationally Backward Classes. They are non-vegetarians. They maintain nuclear type of families. Traditionally, they are manufacturers of oil. But now most of them shifted to various other occupations.

They observe birth pollution for 16 days. On the 28th day, they perform irupathyettukettu. Choroonu is held when the child attains six months of age. On attaining menarche, they celebrate therandukalyanam. Marriage is conducted at the bride’s residence. The bridegroom ties thali around the neck of bride. They cremate their dead. Sanchayanam is held on 5th day. Death pollution continues for 15 days.   

VARIAR

The Variar is an Ambalavasy community. The word variar derived from Varijam, a new caste created by the Parasurama for temple services. Variar are seen throughout Kerala. Their mother tongue is Malayalam.  and considered as a forward community. Travancore State Manual says that there are eight sub-divisions among the communtiy ie., Onattukara Variar, Thekkumkur Variar, Vadakkumkur Variar, Atatiny Variar, Ilayadatthunad Variar, Padippura Variar, Chelayilkutiya Variar, and Adathinatta Variar. In the past they had sambandham relationship with the women of Nair community, but at present endogamy is the practice. They maintain nuclear type of families. Once they followed marumakkathayam.  Now they follow makkathayam (patrilineal) system of inheritance. Their traditional occupation is temple service. Only very few are engaged in this occupation at present. Many who possess land are settled cultivators and many engaged in various other occupations.   

They perform pulikudy ritual. Birth pollution lasts for 12 days.  Choroonu is performed when the child attains the age of six months. They observe therandukuly (therandukalyanam) when their girls attain menarche. Marriages are performed in bride’s residence. Thali tying, laajahomam, panigrahanam, saptapati are the marriage rituals. They cremate their dead. Death pollution lasts for 12 days. 

VEERASAIVAR

The Veerasaivar are the Lingayats and the descendants of Veerasivar of Karnataka. Karnataka Veerasaivar migrated to Kerala during the regime of Mohammadan rulers. The community is spread all over Kerala, but mainly concentrated in Thiruvananthauram, Kollam, Kottayam, and Palakkad Districts. They speak both Malayalam and Tamil as their language. They are grouped under Other Backward Classes. Veerasaivar are divided into different sub groups based on occupation. They are Ayyan (priests) Kurukkal (exorcists) Vairagi (mendicants), Andipandaram (ritual dancers), Poopandaram (floral workers), Pappadachetty (makers of pappadam – wafers). They follow nuclear family system.  They are non-vegetarians. Apart from their traditional occupations such as mendicants, musicians, confectionery, garland makers etc, they are engaged in other occupations also.

They observe pulikudy. Post delivery pollution lasts for 16 days. On 28th day they perform irupathyettukettu and choroonu is performed on the sixth month. They do not observe puberty rites. Marriage is held in the bride’s residence. They perform sivalinga pooja before the thali tying ceremony takes place. They prefer to elathali, which is tied on a yellow thread as the symbol of marriage.  The bridegroom ties thali around the neck of bride in front of agni (fire) and the couple exchange floral garlands.  They cremate their dead. They perform sanchayanam on the 5th day. Death pollution (pula) continues for 11 days.      

VELAN

The Velan is a washer man community, which differs from Mannan or Vannan. They also differ from Chunnabu Velan (lime makers) though they are also known as Velan. They have derived the name on account of their performance in ‘vela’, a temple ceremony.  They are mainly seen in Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts. Their mother tongue is Malayalam. They are non-vegetarians. Their family is nuclear type. The community is mainly landless. . Their traditional occupation is laundry work and coconut harvesting. They also engaged in other occupations

They observe pulikudy and post delivery pollution for 16 days. They celebrate therandukalyanam. Marriage rituals are held at the bride’s residence. The bridegroom brings thali, garlands and wedding dress to the bride. The boy ties the thali around the neck of the bride and they exchange garlands. They cremate the dead and birth pollution (pula) is observed for 16 days.

VELAR         

The Velar are pot-makers. They are also known as Kusavan or Kusavar. They are inhabited in southern districts of Kerala. In Malabar area Velar are known as Anthuran, which is a separate community. Their mother tongue is Malayalam. They are non-vegetarians. They maintain nuclear type of families. Pottery is their traditional occupation.  and classified under Other Eligible Classes.

They observe pre-delivery rites and post delivery pollution.  They celebrate irupathyetukettu. Naming and choroonu ceremonies are held in the sixth month. Presentation of a set of bridal dress is the important function of their marriage. They call their marriage as pudavakodukkal (presentation of pudava). In olden days they did not tie thali, but now it is mandatory. The dead are cremated. Death pollution (pula) is observed for ten days.

VELLALA

The Vellala are also known as Mudaliyar. In Kerala, they are generally called Annachi. They are divided into Pandi, Chozhia, Saiva and Nanjinad Vellala. They use Pillai as their common surname. They are seen in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Palakkad and Kozhikode districts. Their mother tongue is Tamil, but they do speak and write in Malayalam. They are pure vegetarians. They followed marumakkathayam in the past, but now makkathayam is their system of inheritance. They believe in Hinduism and practice rituals according to Hindu religion. The vilapat (singing and striking a musical instrument like bow) is one of their folksongs. 

They observe birth pollution for 16 days. They also hold the irupathyettukettu ceremony. They also observe puberty rites elaborately. They celebrate marriage (thirumanam) at the bride’s residence. The bridegroom ties thali around the neck of bride. They cremate their dead and death pollution lasts for 16 days.

VETTUVAN

The Vettuvan is also known as Vedan, but differ from Vedan or Malavedan who are hunters. Vettuvan in Malayalam means one who cuts. They are engaged in cutting or harvesting coconut bunches. They are also mentioned in the earlier records as agricultural serfs, experts in fencing, basket makers etc. The Vettuvan are inhabited in Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kottyam, Kollam, Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram districts. They are non-vegetarians. Nuclear families are prevailing among them. They are a group of landless people. Their traditional occupation is coconut harvesting. They are also occupied as agricultural labour and casual labour. They believe in Hinduism and grouped under Scheduled Caste.

They observe pre-delivery and post delivery pollution.  On the 28th day they observe iurpathyettukettu. Choroonu is performed after six month of birth. They also perform therandukalyanam simply. Marriage is performed at the bride’s residence. The bridegroom ties thali around the neck of bride. They bury their dead. Death pollution lasts for 16 days.