Ambalavasi

Ambalavasi, more properly Ampalavasi, is the generic name for a group of castes among Hindus in Kerala, India, who have traditionally rendered temple services.

Castes

The Ambalavasis are broadly divided into two groups, being those who wear the sacred thread and those who do not.

Sacred thread wearers

Pushpakan

Pushpaka
Theeyatt Unni
Puppalli
Plappalli
Nambidi
Nambeesan
Threadless Ambalavasis
Pisharody
Marar
Varyar
Pothuval
Others
Chakyar
Nambiar
Kurukkal
Padamangalam
Temple services

Though all Ampalavāsis have to do service in temples, they have sufficiently distinct functions to perform. Pushpakans and Nambeesans are teachers in the Pathasalas or Mutts and suppliers of flowers to temple. Chakyar stages dramas called Kooth and Koodiyattam. Marars are temple musicians. Variar and Poduval performed managerial and executive functions of temple committees and served as storekeepers and watchmen.

Social status

Their ritual rank in Hinduism lies between that of a Brahmin and Nair. Ambalavasis who wear the sacred thread are Brahmins, while those who do not wear the thread, are not considered Brahmins in temple rituals. Ambalavasis were known as Antharala Jathikal.

Kazhakams

Kazhakams or Ambalakkazhakams refer to associations of Ambalavasi peoples in a temple to perform specific duties in the temple.

Temple arts

Traditionally, Ambalavasis are associated with various types of temple arts. Earlier, each of these temple arts were performed only by specific Ambalavasi castes. Now there is no community or caste barrier.

Temple Art	Associated Ambalavasi castes
Koodiyattam	Chakyar
Kooth	Chakyar, Nangyar
Certain roles of Krishnanattam
Mizhavu	Nambiar
Thullal
Pathakam	Nambiar
Theeyattu
Ilathalam
Vadyams like Chenda, Thimila, Idakka, Udukku etc.	Marar
Sopanasangeetham
Panchavadyam
Thayampaka
Pandi Melam
Panchari Melam
Brahmanippattu	Brahmani