Tamil Brahmins are Dravid Bharamins and in Kerala they are known as Pattar. They were migrated from Tamil Nadu as their name indicates. They are mainly found in Thiruvananthapurm, Palakkad, Ernakulam, Thrissur Districits. Unlike Namboothiris, Tamil Brahmins are considered as foreigners. Their mother tongue is Tamil but they can speak and write in Malayalam. Tamil Brahmins are Hindus and pure vegetarians. Nuclear type of families is existed in the community. There are two types of Brahmins – the vydikar and loukikar. The vydikar perform priesthood activities while loukikar engaged in other professions. TheTamil Brahmins are residing in colonies known as agraharams or gramams. Agraharam (gramam) is the houses in two rows facing each other on the side of street. Their traditional occupation is agriculture and business. However, they are engaged in almost all professions. They are well versed in carnatic classical music and many are experts in playing musical instruments like veena, violin, tabala, mridangam etc.

They observe pre-delivery ritual known as seemantham. Post-delivery pollution lasts for 10 days. Namakarana, annaprasana, mundan (mudikodukkal) are also performed. Upanayanam is celebrated for boys at the age between 11 and 15. They observe therandukalyanam. Monogamy is the form of marriage. Marriage rituals include varapuja (welcoming the bridegroom), kanyadanam (giving the bride), thali (mangalyasutra) tying, saptapadi (taking seven steps of bride), lajahomam (offering rice to the sacred fire), grahapravesham (bringing bride to the bridegroom’s residence) etc. They bury the dead. Death pollution (Pula) is observed for 11 days. They perform sanchayanam on fourth or sixth day of death. 

The Thachanad Moopan is a community seen in the Wayanad District. The Moopan is a title awarded to them by Nilambur Rajah and brought to Wayanad to look after the forest area of his territory. They speak a dialect mixed with Malayalam and the tone of dialect is very difficult to follow.  Traditionally they are hunters and food gatherers. They work as estate labourers. Some of them are engaged in basket making and bee-keeping. The Government of Kerala included them under Other Eligible Communities.  and their major deities are Gulikan and Kali.  Vattakkali, Kolkkali, Adiyanthirakkali are the three major folk dance forms performed by them. Men only participate in the Vattakkali and Kolkkali. The whole community participates in the Adiyanthirakkali.

They observe pre-delivery ritual in the eighth month of pregnancy. Birth pollution lasts for 15 days. Namakarana (naming) ceremony is performed at the age of one year. Till a few years back they followed child marriage and they were very particular in following this custom. They believed that the marriage before puberty help to avoid divorce.  But now adult marriage is the practice. The bridegroom ties thali around the neck of bride. They bury their dead and death pollution lasts for 12 days. 

The Tharakan are also known as Mannadiyar. The word ‘Tharakan’ means a broker. Traditionally they were brokers or warehouse owners. They were migrated from Tamil Nadu for fear of a Chola King to whom they denied to marry one of the girls belonging to the community. They are settled in Palakkad District. Their mother tongue is Tamil. They are non-vegetarian. Their major occupation is agriculture and trade and warehouse keeping.  and considered as a forward community.

They observe pre-delivery ritual (puliyuoonu) and post delivery pollution for 10 days. Choroonu and naming ceremony is performed at the age of sixth month. Puberty rite known as chadangu is observed when girls attain menarche. Monogamy is the form of marriage. Marriage takes place at the residence of bride. Thali tying and exchange of garlands are the main rituals. They bury their dead. Death pollution (Pula) lasts for 10 days, which would be terminated by performing shradhha.      

The word Thandan was originated from the sanskrit word ‘Dandan’, which means punishment. The members of the community were the employers of rulers to execute punishments. They are mainly inhabited in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta districts. They believe in Hinduism. They are grouped under Scheduled Caste. The community consists nuclear families. Thandan were tenants of landlords, in the past. Now they possess a few cents of land consequent on the introduction of land reforms. Their traditional occupation is coconut harvesting.  They are experts in constructing fences and pandals. Now they are engaged in various other occupations also.

They observe pre-delivery ritual known as vayattupongala. Birth pollution is observed for 16 days. They celebrate irupathyettukettu on the 28th day of birth. Puberty rite of girls (pushpadiadiyanthiram) is celebrated in a simple manner. Marriage is held at the house of bride. The bridegroom ties thali around the neck of bride. They cremate the dead. Sanchyanam is held on the fifth day. Death pollution (Pula) is observed for 16 days.

The Thattan are goldsmiths and therefore they are known as Swarnapanikkar. They believe that they were the descendants of Viswakarma, the divine architect. Their mother tongue is Malayalam. Thattan are spread all over Kerala.   and grouped under Other Backward Classes. They are non-vegetarians. They maintain nuclear families. Traditionally, they are goldsmiths. They are proficient in making jewels, silver wares, setting of stones etc.  Now the members of community accept other occupations.

They observe pulikudy in the seventh month of pregnancy.  Birth pollution is observed for 15 days. On the 28th day of birth, they perform irupthyettukettu. Choroonu is performed after six months. They perform therandukalyanam when a girl attains her first menstruation. Monogamy is the form of marriage. It takes place at the bride’s residence. The bridegroom ties thali around the neck of bride. They cremate their dead. Death pollution (pula) continues for 15 days and on 16th day they conduct pulakuly.

The Thevar, an immigrant community from Tamil Nadu, are settled at Palakkad and Kannur Districts of Kerala. Thevar is a title conferred upon them by a Tamil ruler. It is believed that they have migrated to Kerala about four centuries ago.  and considered as a forward community. Their mother tongue is Tamil. They are non-vegetarians. Their traditional occupation is agriculture, especially cultivation of betel wine. Nowadays, members of the community accept other jobs and engaged in
self-employment schemes. 

They observe seemantham. Post delivery pollution lasts for nine days. Mundan and ear-boring ceremonies are held on the first year. They observe puberty rite known as therathy cheeru. Monogamy is the norm adopted. Marriage rituals are taken place at the bride’s residence. The bridegroom ties thali around the neck of the bride. They bury their dead.  

Theeyattunni is a small group of Ambalavasy community. They are seen in Kottayam and Ernakulam districtrs. They carry out theeyattu, a pooja performed in Ayyappa temples during the month of Vrichikam (November-December).  Their mother tongue is Malayalam.  and considered as a forward community. Theeyattunni men wear poonool, the sacred thread. They are pure vegetarians. In the past they follow marumakkathayam, but now they follow patrilineal system of inheritance. They maintain nuclear type of families. Majority of them possess land and agriculture is their chief occupation. Their traditional occupation is performing theeyattu pooja and kalamezhuthu in Bhagavathy temples and presenting theeyattam dance in temple festivals.

They observe post delivery pollution for 11 days. Choroonu function is held after six months of birth. Upnayanam is performed for boys at their age of 11 years. They perform therandukalyanam in a simple style. Their marriages are held at the bride’s residence. Thali tying, lajjahomam, panigrahanam etc are the important rituals. They cremate their dead. Death pollution (pula) is for 11 days. They perform sanchayanam on the fourth or sixth day.