Kuruppanmar

They are Chathurvedi brahmins, who were known as Upadhyaya. But, now this is a small community, considered to be part of ezhava community, found in central and northern part of kerala associated with temple of Bhadrakali ,Shiva,Sree Krishna,Shiva and Ayyappa .They came from north India(Gauda region).They are traditional Purohit , ayurveda(Vaid) teachers and warriors. They were the decedents of teachers during buddhist period. In early days they were known as Upadhyaya.At the beginning of 20th century, they came to be known as Vadhyayar or Vadhyar.Now , they are known as Ezhavathy, Purohithan, Kavutheeya,Vadhyar, Vadhyayar etc . They are completely different from kurup which is part of nair caste.
Sanskrit
They were experts in Sanskrit.They were specifically a professional teacher in the technical subjects of Vedanga, i.e. Sanskrit grammar and other basic skills required for the perusal of the Vedas.So, later they came to be known as Vadhyayar or Vadhyar.
Ayurveda
They were Raja Purohit in manu kingdoms also.They were Ayurvedic teachers and vaidyars.They were kottaram vaidyars in Kerala.So, they were also known as Perumal Vaidyars.
Vaid
They were not only Purohit vaid but also warrioors.It is mentioned in the text of Bimala Charan Law in his Some Ksatriya Tribes Of Ancient India (Publisher -University of Culcutta).
Classical Songs
Most of them were excelled in classical songs,especially in Karnatic songs.
Upanayanam
The boys of this caste had to undergone Brahmopadesham ( Upanayanam ) when they turn seven years old. It is a ceremony where young boys are initiated into Vedic studies .The key rituals during the Upanayana is that of putting a Janivaara or sacred thread across the left shoulder of the boy.
Ettukettu & Nalukettu
They lived in the Ettukettu and nalukettu.Both are the example of the traditional style of architecture of Kerala. 'Ettu' means 'eight' ,'nalu' means four and 'Kettu' means 'built up sides.' Ettukettu is the house with two quadrangles or mansions with eight salas (square or rectangular living rooms with verandahs on one or more sides) around two courtyards.Nalukettu is the house with one quadrangle or mansion with four salas around one courtyards.
The ettukettu and nalukettu is a unique and distinct style of construction. Ettukettu is laid and constructed with rituals and principles according to the Vaastu Vidya. The laws bind everything from selection of site, nature of soil, orientation of buildings, to position of the buildings and rooms. The ettukettu model houses demonstrate excellent craftsmanship in wood, and a good understanding of construction and building material science
Cow worshipping
They are the people who worshipping cow.
Kalampattu
This ritualistic art form is prevailed in north and north-central Kerala with slight differences. There is a temple art by the same name Kalampattu among the communities of Kuruppanmar, Thiyyambadi and Thiyyadi who draw kalam in Ayyappa and Bhadrakali temples and perform a ritual. These performers traditionally make a living by weaving baskets with palm leaf. This art form is believed to be around 600 years old. In a performance, five to fifteen people take part. In some places Kalampattu done by Kaniars is a customary ritual-aid for safe pregnancy, for aiding reproduction and for sound physical health. The rituals begin with the drawing of the kalam picture in five colours on the ground by using vegetable colours. In the kalam picture, the form of Bhadrakali is depicted. The kalam, near which the performance takes place, is drawn inside a pandal. At four corners of the pandal are hung special lamps, and nilavilakku placed near the kalam. A possessed woman accompanied by married women, all neatly dressed with hair tied to the side of the head, will enter the kalam. The singers begin the kalamirakkupattu, the first one in a series of songs. This is followed by a ritual known as kalathilari, then kizhiyedukal that involves a sealed earthen pot taken inside the kalam. At this time, women holding bouquets of coconut flowers stand near the kalam. What ensures is the badhachalanapattu, the song for exorcising evil spirits.The next phase is the rendering of songs narrating stories from classical literature, viz, Balavijayam, Kalyanasougandhikam, Darikavatham, Nalacharithm, Sandanagopalam, etc. The performance comes to a close with polivupattu. In the central region, various other characters such as Ayyappa, Vetteykorumakan, Anthimahakalan are included in the kalam. The notable differences here are the inclusion of songs, each one in praise of a deity depicted in the kalam. Uchapattu, Kalamezhuthu, Sandhya Vela (drumming), Pooja, Pattu, Velichappadu are the various items presented, one by one in that order. Nanthuni and elathalam are the musical instruments used. For the velichappadu, there will not be any special costume.
Mudiyettu
Mudiyettu is ritualistic dance springing form the bhagavathi or bhadrakali cult. The theme depicts the glory and triumph of Bhagavathy over the demon Darika. The characters are all heavily made up with gorgeous costumes, intricate and elaborate and with conventional facial paintings, tall head - gears etc. Attired and adorned exotically with a unique weirdness and hideousness, the characters seem quit supernatural. Their mien and array make them colorful, imposing and awe-inspiring in the extreme. The dance is performed by a set of people known as Kuruppanmar, mainly in Bhadrakali temple. In the dance, a kolam of Kali first made up to which floral offerings and other rituals are made. Then it is taken round the temple to the accompaniment of percussion instruments. The kolam is then installed in a suitable place. The dance proper is then enacted. In the first part Narada, the celestial sage, is seen informing Lord Shiva of the evil deeds of the demon Darika, and the consequent sufferings of the evil deeds of the demon Darika, and the consequent sufferings of the people. Shiva agrees to send Bhadrakali to kill Darika. In the next phase, Bhadrakali and Darika enter and the whole temple yard is turned into a battle - field. In the end Bhadrakali kills Darika. Chenda and elathalam are the instruments used.
Pichanaattu Kuruppanmar
In the village of Vazhappalli, near Changanassery, there were a limited number of families of a community known as Pichanaattu Kuruppanmar. They were excelled in Karnatic songs and ayurveda .They were scholar in Sanskrit also.
Stepped down the priests of Ezhava
They were considered high in the social stratum and considered part of ezhava community,
but actually they are not Ezhava.Like Nambudiri they were priests of temples.Later, they became the priests of Ezhava so, the Hindu communities at the higher end of the social stratum did not accept it. This, coupled with the limited number of members in their own community, made it difficult for them to function socially, and they faced increasing isolation.
Goddess Kali
Kali (, , both ), also known as Kalika (, ), is a Hindu goddess associated with eternal energy. The name Kali means "black", but has by folk etymology come to mean "force of time (kala)". Despite her negative connotations, Kali is today considered the goddess of time and change. Although sometimes presented as dark and violent, her earliest incarnation as a figure of annihilation still has some influence. More complex Tantric beliefs sometimes extend her role so far as to be the "ultimate reality" or Brahman. She is also revered as Bhavatarini (literally "redeemer of the universe"). Comparatively recent devotional movements largely conceive Kali as a benevolent mother goddess.
The name Kali derives from the Sanskrit root word Kal meaning time. Nothing escapes from time. Of the Hindu goddesses, Goddess Kali Ma is the most misunderstood. The Encyclopedia Britannica is very mistaken in this quote, "Major Hindu goddess whose iconography, cult, and mythology commonly associate her with death, sexuality, violence, and, paradoxically in some of her later historical appearances, motherly love."
Early Surnames
They had the following surnames .
*Lahiri

*Bagchi
*Joshi
*Bhaduri
*Mukherjee
*Banerjee

*Chatterjee

*Ganguly
*Chakravarthy
*Vaid

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