The annual festival of the local deity Vairapattan has called for preparations in two tribal settlements, Kattupatti and Kuzhipatti, of the Pulayar community, located within the Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu.
Insights into the Pulayar Community
The Pulayar, also referred to as Pulaya, Holeya, or Cheramar, are a crucial social group residing in Kerala, Karnataka, and historical Tamil Nadu or Tamilakam. They have been recognized as a Scheduled Caste in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The Pulayar community is renowned for their unique music, craftsmanship, and dances such as Kōlam-thullal, a mask dance integral to their exorcism rituals, and Mudi-āttam or hair-dance rooted in a fertility ritual.
Mahatma Ayyankali, referred to as Pulaya King, was a prominent figure who fought for the rights of the Pulayas. In 1893, he boldly rode an ox-cart, challenging the ‘ban’ caste-Hindus imposed on untouchables from using public roads. His protests led to significant changes, with a decree issued in 1907 allowing students from the untouchable community to be admitted into government schools.
An Introduction to Anamalai Tiger Reserve
The Anamalai Tiger Reserve ranks among the four tiger reserves in Tamil Nadu. It contributes to the Southern Western Ghats and Anamalai Parambikulam Elephant Reserve declared in 2003. The reserve shares its boundaries with Parambikulam Tiger Reserve on the East, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Eravikulam National Park on the South Western side belonging to Kerala. Additionally, it extends to Nenmara, Vazhachal, Malayattur, and Marayur reserved forests of Kerala. The ranges it houses include Amaravathi, Udumalpet, Pollachi, Ulandy, Valparai, and Manamboli.
Anthropological Diversity of the Area
The region presents significant anthropological diversity, inhabited by over 4600 Adivasi people from six tribes of indigenous people living across 34 settlements. These tribes consist of the Kadars, Malasars, Malaimalasar, Pulaiyars, Muduvars, and the Eravallan (Eravalar).
Flora and Fauna of Anamalai Tiger Reserve
The Anamalai Tiger Reserve harbors a diverse range of flora that encompasses wet evergreen forest and semi-evergreen forest, montane shola-grassland, moist deciduous, dry deciduous, thorn forests, and marshes. In terms of fauna, the reserve is home to several important mammals such as the Asiatic Elephant, Sambar, Spotted deer, Barking deer, Mouse deer, Gaur, Nilgiri Tahr, Tiger, and more.
Other Protected Areas in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu also hosts several other protected areas including the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Kalakkad – Mundanthurai TR, Sathyamangalam TR, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Mukurthi National Park, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, and Guindy National Park.
