Pothuval
Pothuval (Poduval) is a caste of Ambalavasis (Brahmins with non-priestly duties) in Kerala. Ambalavasis are broadly grouped into the sacred thread (Upanayana) wearing castes and the non-threaded castes, and Pothuvals belong to the latter group. The males were usually employed as managers, accountants or store-keepers in temples.[1] Pothuval women are known as Pothuvalsiars. A Pothuval house is known as Pothuvattu. Many Pothuval ancestral house (tharavad) names thus have suffix attu.
There are two classes in Pothuval community: Akappothuval and Purappthuval. Akappothuval works inside the Chuttampalam and Purappothuval works outside the Chuttampalam. Pothuvals are said to be descended from Nambuthiri fathers and Nair mothers. But unlike the Nambiars, who observe the death pollution for 12 days, the Pothuvals observe a total of 13 days of death.
Purappothuval comprises Mālappothuval and Chendappothuval. Mālappothuvals, like Varriers and Pushpakan Unnis, are garland makers. Chendappothuvals, like Marars in Kochi, are temple musicians. As temple musicians, they play instruments like Chenda, Idakka or Madhalam. They also sing Sopanam music, a style of music unique to Kerala, based on Jayadeva's Gita Govinda or Ashtapadi.
Payyanur Pothuvals, from Kannur District in Kerala, are different from the Pothuvals described above. Payyanurr pothuvals were not considered as ambalavasis but in olden days were mainly associated with Payyanur Subramanayaswami Temple and were called Achans[fathers]. Male members [Pothuval] were not allowed to travel beyond Thejaswini river ( Nileshwar] and Perumba River [Payyanur] and female members [Pothuvattys] were not allowed to wear melmundu by a decree from Chirakkal raja. Payyanur Pothuvals ancestral lineage starts mainly from Patthuveettil Pothulvalmar [10 houses of Pothuvals][citation needed]
These Pothuvals as other Poduvals mentioned above are not considered as a sub caste of Nair Community.They have an association called Skandadas Samajam headquartered in Payyanur.
Prominent Pothuvals
- Neralattu Rama Poduval - ( Sopanam artist, recipient of Kendra Sahitya Academy award)
- Aliparambil Sivarama Poduval (1925–2006)- Thayambaka, Melam, Sopana Sangeethacharyan
- T.R Rama Poduval (Founder of Poduval Samajam)
- Krishnankutti Poduval - Chenda Artist
- Appukkutty Poduval - Madhalam Artist
- Anupallavi Poduval - Artist, Architect