Pushpaka is a caste of Hindu Ambalavasis of Kerala. [1] In Malayalam language, this caste is also referred to as Pushpakan, Pushpakar, Pushpaka Unni or Pushpakan Unni. [2] They are a part of the Ambalavasi community in Kerala. [3]
Unni is used as a first name in Kerala, India. In the Malayalam language, it is also used as an adjective meaning an infant boy. Thus, Unnikrishnan or Unnikannan means Lord Krishna in the infant form and Unniyesu means Yesu in the infant form. The word is also the name of a caste among Hindus in the Southern India State of Kerala.
Sopana Sangeetham is a form of Indian classical music that developed in the temples of Kerala in south India in the wake of the increasing popularity of Jayadeva's Gita Govinda or Ashtapadis.
Koothambalam or Kuttampalam meaning temple theatre is a closed hall for staging Koothu, Nangiar koothu and Koodiyattam, the ancient ritualistic art forms of Kerala, India. Koothambalams are said to be constructed according to the guide lines given in the chapter 2 of Nātyasāstra of Bharata Muni. The stage within the hall is considered to be as sacred as the temple sanctum. It is constructed within the cloister of the Temple; more precisely within the pancaprakaras of the temple. The prescribe location is between the prakaras of bahyahara and maryada. In Kerala tradition it is considered as one among the pancaprasadas of a temple complex. Its dimension vary from temple to temple. A square platform with a separate pyramidal roof supported by pillars in the center called natyamandapam is constructed as s separate structure within the large hall of Koothampalam. The floor of the hall is divided into two equal halves and one part is for performance and other half for seating audience. During the performance, the stage is decorated with fruit-bearing plantains, bunches of coconuts and fronds of the coconut palm. A para filled with rice is placed on the stage. A nilavilakku with three thiri is used for lighting. The mizhavu, a percussion instrument for accompanying Koothu, is placed within a railed enclosure, with a high seat for the drummer( belonging to nampiar community).
A mizhav or mizhavu is a big copper drum played as an accompanying percussion instrument in the Koodiyattam and Koothu, performing arts of Kerala. It is played by the Ambalavasi Nambiar community. After 1965, when started a mizhavu repertory in kalamandalam mizhavu break the caste barrier and nowadays anyone can play mizhavu in koodiyattam, nangiar koothu, chakyar koothu, and mizhavu thayambaka.
Chakyar is a priestly caste coming under the Ambalavasi community of Hindus in the Kerala state of India.
Pisharody is a Hindu Acharya community found more in Kerala. As Vaishnavites Pisharodys were traditionally caretakers of Hindu temples and considered as Gurus or Acharyas who taught Sanskrit and the Vedic texts. Most Pisharams are situated near Lord Krishna or Goddess Devi temples.They generally carry Vaishnavite names being a subset of Vaishnavite sanyasi brahmin clan and a majority of the community still does teaching as their major profession.
Variyar is a Hindu Ambalavasi caste in Kerala, India.
Nambeesan is a Ambalavasi caste of Kerala, India.
Sambandham was a mode of traditional marriage practiced by Nambudiris, Nairs, Samantan Nairs, Samantha Kshatriyas and Ambalavasis among their own communities as well as with each other, in medieval Kerala, India.
Brahmanippattu is a type of domestic devotional offering performed usually in connection with marriages. Women of the Nambeesan caste called Brahmanis or Pushpinis alone are entitled to do it.
Malayali Brahmins or Kerala Brahmins are the group of Brahmins from the Indian state of Kerala. These groups include the Nambudiri, and the Potti.
Marar is the name given to the caste of hereditary temple musicians of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar region in the state of Kerala, whose primary duty was to provide the traditional temple Sopanam music. They belong to the Ambalavasi caste.
The Nambiar is a Hindu Ambalavasi caste of Kerala. Ambalavasi Nambiars wear sacred thread like Brahmins and is traditionally considered as a different caste to Nairs including same name bearing Nair-Nambiar caste, who were traditionally the feudal landlords of North Malabar which usually leads to confusion.
Ambalavasi, more properly Ampalavasi, is the generic name for a group of castes among Hindus in Kerala, India, who have traditionally rendered temple services.
Pushpaka Brahmin is a generic term that refers to a group of certain Hindu Ambalavasi castes in Kerala.
Perumthachan is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language period drama film directed by Ajayan and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair. It is based on Perumthachan of the Parayi Petta Panthirukulam, a legend of the Kerala folklore. The problems caused by the generation gap are explored through the relationship between a skilled carpenter and his tradition-breaking son. The film won the National Film Award for Best First Film of a Director and Filmfare Award for Best Film - Malayalam. It was nominated for the Golden Leopard Award and is now considered as a classic in Malayalam cinema. The film marks the debut of Prashanth in Malayalam cinema.
Nambidi is a caste of Kerala, India. The form a part of the Ambalavasi community. They are considered to be Malayali Brahmins and to have originated when a section of the Nambudiris was degraded. They also have the same rights and rituals of nambudiri's. The nambidi ladies are usually called Mandals / Atholammas used to wear the cheruthalis and are similar to Antharjanams. The nambidi's also had great economic and Societic importance and have the same grade of Nambudiris in the Society. They have no right to do Poojas in temples. Nambidis are divided into two: the ones who wear the sacred thread and perform the Upanayanam and the ones who do not. The former are Nambudiris who were degraded to the Lower status since their ancestors had committed a heinous act by murdering a ruler of Kerala. On their return the other Nambudiris welcomed them but they refused to seat themselves with the other Brahmins owing to the sin they committed and instead sat on the steps of the hall. They came to be known as Nom Padimels or those on the steps and this term was later corrupted into Nambidi. The latter are Nairs who were assigned the Nambidi title. Namboodiris will Join with nambidi's in all their functions and rituals.
Theeyattunni or Theeyadi Unni is a caste of Hindu Brahmins of Kerala, India. They are a part of the Pushpaka Brahmins and Ambalavasi community in Kerala. Theeyattunnis are traditionally the performers of an ancient art form called Theeyatt. Theeyattunnis have the right for Tantric Poojas and other privileges enjoyed by the Nambudiri caste.
Daivampadi is a Hindu caste in Kerala. They form a part of the Ambalavasi community. This caste is also known as Brahmani or Brahmani-Daivampadi. They perform the Kalamezhuthum Pattum rituals in temples.
Sree Pushpakabrahmana Seva Sangham (SPSS) is a registered charitable organisation which works for the progress of Pushpaka Brahmins, a group of culturally identical Brahmin castes like Pushpaka Unnis, Theeyatt Unnis, Kurukkals, Nambeesans etc. in Kerala.