THE COMMUNITY
PODUVALS constitute a small community mainly found in the districts of Malapuram, Palakad, and Trissur though a few families are there in the districts of Ernakulam and Kannur.
Traditionally employed in the service of temples for preparing flowers and garlands for pooja and for providing appropriate percussion accompaniment for pooja and procession of the diety, the Poduvals belong to the larger group of Ambalavasi comprising of about 15 communities.
The Poduvals have migrated to other places not only within Kerala but outside also for occupational reasons, as the members took to different fields keeping with the changing times.
Historically, Poduval, literally public man, was the designation the person responsible for administering the affairs of the temple on behalf of the temple committee or sabha, comprising mainly of heads of prominent Brahmin and naduvazhi families.
In course of time, the committee members themselves took over the administrative functions, often by turn, relegating the Poduval to other services in the temple.
Being settled around temples for occupational reasons, the community is scattered and therefore lacked cohesion and appreciation of their real social position. Same is the case with other communities like Marar, Pisharody, Warrier and Nambisan, employed in temple services.
While Marar, Pisharody, Warrier and Nambisan communities had come together to form organizations to preserve their identity and promote their interests, the Poduvals did so only in 1984.
Traditionally employed in the service of temples for preparing flowers and garlands for pooja and for providing appropriate percussion accompaniment for pooja and procession of the diety, the Poduvals belong to the larger group of Ambalavasi comprising of about 15 communities.
The Poduvals have migrated to other places not only within Kerala but outside also for occupational reasons, as the members took to different fields keeping with the changing times.
Historically, Poduval, literally public man, was the designation the person responsible for administering the affairs of the temple on behalf of the temple committee or sabha, comprising mainly of heads of prominent Brahmin and naduvazhi families.
In course of time, the committee members themselves took over the administrative functions, often by turn, relegating the Poduval to other services in the temple.
Being settled around temples for occupational reasons, the community is scattered and therefore lacked cohesion and appreciation of their real social position. Same is the case with other communities like Marar, Pisharody, Warrier and Nambisan, employed in temple services.
While Marar, Pisharody, Warrier and Nambisan communities had come together to form organizations to preserve their identity and promote their interests, the Poduvals did so only in 1984.
