Inside the Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu, two Pulayar tribal settlements (Kattupatti and Kuzhipatti) are preparing for their annual festival of local deity Vairapattan.

The Pulayar, also known as Pulaya, Holeya, or Cheramar, are a major ethnic community in Kerala, Karnataka, and historical Nadu (Tamilakam).

In Kerala and Tamil Nadu, they are classified as a Scheduled Caste.

Pulayas are known for their music, craftsmanship, and specific dances such as,

Klam-thullal, a mask dance that is used in exorcism rituals, and

Mudi-ttam , or hair dance that originated in a fertility ritual.

Pulaya King was the name given to Mahatma Ayyankali.

Anamalai Tiger Reserve:

It is one of Tamil Nadu’s four Tiger Reserves.

It is located in the Southern Western Ghats and is part of the Anamalai Parambikulam Elephant Reserve, which was established in 2003.

It is bordered on the east by Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, on the south west by Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Eravikulam National Park (all belong to Kerala).

The reserve is also surrounded by Kerala’s reserved forests of Nenmara, Vazhachal, Malayattur, and Marayur.

Amaravathi, Udumalpet, Pollachi, Ulandy, Valparai, and Manamboli are among the ranges found in this reserve.

UPSC
SSC
STATE PSC
TEACHING
RAILWAY
DEFENCE
BANKING
INSURANCE
NURSING
POLICE
SCHOLARSHIP
PSU