Kulala is a Hindu caste who traditionally pursued pottery trade and farming as professions and are commonly found in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and southern and western parts of Tamil Nadu.[1][2][3][4][5] They belong to the Other Backward Class group.[6]
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala | |
| Languages | |
| Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Tulu, Malayalam | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism |
Etymology
Kulala are the descendants of the three sons of their original ancestor, Kulalan, who was the son of Brahma. Kulalan prayed to Brahma to be allowed to create and destroy things daily, so Brahma made him a potter.[7]
Distribution
Andhra Pradesh
They speak the Telugu language and are also known as Kulala, Kummara and Salivahana[8]
Tamil Nadu
Some Tamil-speaking Kulalar in southern and western part of Tamil nadu they use the title Velar and Udayar [9][10]
Karnataka
In Karnataka they speak both Tulu and Kannada language and are also known as kumbara and Kulala.[11]They use the title Shetty.
Kerala
Kulala community (also known as Kulala Nair) is found only in the Kasaragod district of Kerala state in India, where they have several exogamous gotras, including Banjan, Banjera, Salian and Upian. They use the title "Nair". In Kasaragod district the Tulu-speaking Kulala community has another name - Moolya.
This community has completely given up their traditional occupation in Kerala.[12][13][14]
Culture
They follow both Saivism and Vaishnavism. Their rituals and ceremonies are similar to those of the Kama or Vellalar. Some have priests of their own caste, while others employ brahmins.[15] They have claimed a higher social status.
See also
References
- ^ Odelli, E.; Selvaraj, T.; Perumal, J.; Palleschi, V.; Legnaioli, S.; Raneri, S. (2020). "Pottery production and trades in Tamil Nadu region: New insights from Alagankulam and Keeladi excavation sites". Heritage Science. 8. doi:10.1186/s40494-020-00402-2. S2CID 219608136.
- ^ Inglis, Stephen Robert (1984). "Creators and Consecrators: A Potter Community of South India".
- ^ Saraswati, Baidyanath (1978). Pottery-making Cultures and Indian Civilization. ISBN 9788170170914.
- ^ Singh, K. S.; India, Anthropological Survey of (1998). India's Communities. ISBN 978-0-19-563354-2.
- ^ "Review: The Origins of Pottery and Agriculture".
- ^ "National Commission for Backward Classes". www.ncbc.nic.in.
- ^ Inglis, Stephen Robert (1984). "Creators and Consecrators: A Potter Community of South India".
- ^ "National Commission for Backward Classes".
- ^ Inglis, Stephen Robert (1984). "Creators and Consecrators: A Potter Community of South India".
- ^ http://piketty.pse.ens.fr › dataPDFCastes and tribes of southern India - ENS [not specific enough to verify]
- ^ "National Commission for Backward Classes".
- ^ http://www.cds.ac.in › reportPDF Techno-socio-economic survey on the living and working conditions ... [not specific enough to verify]
- ^ http://www.heritageuniversityofkerala.com › ...PDF An Ethnographical Study of Pottery Workshops in Central Kerala ... [not specific enough to verify]
- ^ "SEBC List – പിന്നാക്ക വിഭാഗ വികസന വകുപ്പ്".
- ^ "Tamil studies, or essays on the history of the Tamil people, language, religion, and literature". 1914.
Further reading
- Saraswati, Baidyanath (1979). Pottery-Making Cultures And Indian Civilization. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 978-81-7017-091-4.
