Kulala

2026-05-02T15:23:42Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2017}}

{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Kulala
| poptime =
| popplace =
| regions = [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Karnataka]], [[Tamilnadu]] and [[Kerala]]
| languages = [[Kannada]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Tulu language|Tulu]], [[Malayalam]]
| religions = [[Hinduism]]
}}

'''Kulala''' is a [[Hindu]] caste whose traditionally pursued pottery trade and farming as a profession commonly found in the Indian states of [[Andhra Pradesh|Andhra pradesh]], [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]] and southern parts of [[Tamilnadu]].<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342152556 |doi=10.1186/s40494-020-00402-2|title=Pottery production and trades in Tamil Nadu region: New insights from Alagankulam and Keeladi excavation sites |year=2020 |last1=Odelli |first1=E. |last2=Selvaraj |first2=T. |last3=Perumal |first3=J. |last4=Palleschi |first4=V. |last5=Legnaioli |first5=S. |last6=Raneri |first6=S. |journal=Heritage Science |volume=8 |s2cid=219608136 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xjmcpwAACAAJ|title=Creators and Consecrators: A Potter Community of South India|last1=Inglis|first1=Stephen Robert|year=1984}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aqrB_Nzr5QcC|title=Pottery-making Cultures and Indian Civilization|isbn=9788170170914|last1=Saraswati|first1=Baidyanath|year=1978}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g9MVAQAAMAAJ|title=India's Communities|isbn=978-0-19-563354-2|last1=Singh|first1=K. S.|last2=India|first2=Anthropological Survey of|year=1998}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.infinityfoundation.com/mandala/t_rv/t_rv_agraw_pottery_frameset.htm|title = Review: The Origins of Pottery and Agriculture}}</ref> They belong to the [[Other Backward Class]] group.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/centralliststateview.aspx|title=National Commission for Backward Classes|website=www.ncbc.nic.in}}</ref>

In terms of social classification, Kulalas are included in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category in India. While their traditional occupation places them among artisan groups, some sections of the community identify themselves with the [[Vaishya]] varna, reflecting their association with trade and agriculture.

==Etymology==
''<big>"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."</big>''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xjmcpwAACAAJ|title=Creators and Consecrators: A Potter Community of South India|last1=Inglis|first1=Stephen Robert|year=1984}}</ref>

== Distribution ==

'''Andhra Pradesh'''

They speak the [[Telugu language]] and are also known as Kulala, Kummara,[[Shalivahana|Salivahana]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/centralliststateview.aspx|title = National Commission for Backward Classes}}</ref> and variants of that name, like Kummari.

''' Tamil Nadu '''

[[Telugu language|Telugu-speaking]] Kulala in southern Tamil Nadu use the title [[Chettiar|Chettiyar]] (Also known as Telugu Chettiar). They are relatively recent migrants in the southern region of Tamil Nadu.

Some [[Tamil language|Tamil-speaking]] Kulalar in south and north Tamil nadu they use the title Velar and Udayar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xjmcpwAACAAJ|title=Creators and Consecrators: A Potter Community of South India|last1=Inglis|first1=Stephen Robert|year=1984}}</ref><ref>http://piketty.pse.ens.fr › dataPDFCastes and tribes of southern India - ENS {{nonspecific|date=June 2022}}</ref>

''' Karnataka '''

In Karnataka they speak both Tulu and Kannada language and are also known as kumbara and Kulala.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/centralliststateview.aspx|title = National Commission for Backward Classes}}</ref> They use the title '''[[Shetty]]'''.

''' Kerala'''

Kulala (Also known as Kulala Nair) community 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.<ref>http://www.cds.ac.in › reportPDF
Techno-socio-economic survey on the living and working conditions ... {{nonspecific|date=June 2022}}</ref><ref>http://www.heritageuniversityofkerala.com › ...PDF
An Ethnographical Study of Pottery Workshops in Central Kerala ... {{nonspecific|date=June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bcdd.kerala.gov.in/communities/sebc-list/|title = SEBC List – പിന്നാക്ക വിഭാഗ വികസന വകുപ്പ്}}</ref>

== Culture ==
They follow both [[Saivism]] and [[Vaishnavism]].Their rituals and ceremonies are similar to those of the [[Kamma (caste)|Kama]] or [[Vellalar]]. Some have priests of their own caste, while others employ [[brahmins]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/tamilstudiesores00srin/page/74/mode/2up|title = Tamil studies, or essays on the history of the Tamil people, language, religion, and literature|year = 1914}}</ref> They have claimed a higher social status.

== See also ==
*[[Pottery]]
*[[Kumal people]]
*[[Chettiar]]
*[[Kumhar]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
*{{cite book |last=Saraswati |first=Baidyanath |title=Pottery-Making Cultures And Indian Civilization |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aqrB_Nzr5QcC |year=1979 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-091-4}}

[[Category:Social groups of Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Social groups of Kerala]]
[[Category:Pot-making castes]]

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Kulala