{{Short description| Member of a tribal community in Kerala, South India}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Cleanup rewrite|date=March 2026}}
'''Mala Arayan''' or'''Malaiyarayan''', is a member of a tribal community in parts of Kottayam, Idukki and Pattanamtitta districts of Kerala state, southern India.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} ==Social status== They are listed (Central List No - 20) <ref name="MuthuswamyBrinda1996">{{cite book|author1=P. Muthuswamy|author2=V. Brinda|title=Swamy's Compilation on Reservations and Concessions for SCs/STs, Ex-servicemen, Sportsmen Compassionate Appointments, Physically Handicapped and SEBC (Mandal Commission): Incorporating Orders Received Up to February, 1996|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4N6mGQAACAAJ|access-date=26 December 2012|year=1996|publisher=Swamy Publishers}}</ref> as part of Scheduled Tribes by the Government of India. Among the Scheduled Tribes, the Malarayans outclass all the other tribes in socio-economical and educational aspects. When an evaluation in the educational and employment prospect is taken, it is found that almost all the government employees and other dinginitaries are from this faction of Scheduled Tribes.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}
==Thirunizhalmala and Aranmula==
The Malayaraya community inhabiting the upper reaches of Western ghats at present, have many ''Vanjippattu'' songs included in their literature which are used in their artforms such as Kolakali and Ivarkali.<ref>Harigovindam - Vanjippattu songs collected by melukara Shivankutty Ashan, Editor: Rajesh Kumar K, Pages 111, 329-332</ref> The presence of such songs which are exclusively used in the Aranmula tradition could be because Malayarayars were once the non-Brahmanical, vama/Kaulachara "karmis" of Aranmula Appan or mahavishnu as attested by "''Thirunizhalmala''," one of the oldest poems in Malayalam language and its creator Ayiroor Govindan.<ref name=pd>Padakkalputhamekel- Thirunizhalmalapadhanam, Rajesh Kumar K, Manjalkkuri (Jinesh Jills George) Pages 13-28</ref>
A large number of Malayarayas have converted to Christianity. Since ancient times, this tribe is said to have a proper civilization and culture. Unlike other tribes in the region, they lived in houses built from bamboo, wood and mud. The community today is fairly educated and literate.
They are said to have taught the sorcerer priest of Kerala, Kadamattathu Kathanar, before he escaped from them in the early 5th century. During the escape, they are said to have followed him into the Kadamattam church, and lashed on the church door. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Morbid |first=Mr |date=2023-05-06 |title=Kadamattathu Kathanar, the True Story Behind the Sorcerer Priest of Kerala - Morbid Kuriosity |url=https://morbidkuriosity.com/kadamattathu-kathanar-the-true-story/ |access-date=2024-05-03 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Malayarayars praise "Thiruvaranmula Appan" and "Ayiroor Bhagavati" in their traditional songs. They are believed to have left the plains for mountains after their defeat at Chotty sometime between AD 1407 and 1419. Malayaraya/ Malaya country known as "Maleam" in certain 17th century European maps of Malabar lying east of Chotti was transferred to Poonjar by the victoriousThekkumkur rajas.<ref name=pd/>
The last few lines of "Bana Yudham,"one of the traditional songs of malayarayans, reveals the antiquity of Aranmula Vanjippattu tradition.
{{blockquote|{{lang|ml|വഞ്ചിരാമൻ (രാമവർമ്മ കുലശേഖരപ്പെരുമാൾ ?) മന്ത്രിമാരിൽ (നാല് തളി ?)
മുൻപനാകും മഹാവീരൻ
പഞ്ചബാണാംബുജവീരൻ അംബുജനേത്രൻ
നെഞ്ചിലേറ്റം മോദമോടെ വഞ്ചിതന്നിൽ പാടുവാൻ
ചഞ്ചലം കൂടാതെ നല്ല വഞ്ചിയുണ്ടാക്കി'}}
[Vanchiraman (Ramavarma Kulasekha Perumal?) Among the ministers (four plates?)
Mahavira will be the first
Panchabanamambujaveera Ambujanetran
To sing with a heart-pounding melody in the Vanchitann
He made a good boat without any hesitation']<ref>Malayarayarude Anushtanaganangal by shylaja Narayanan Page 81</ref>}}
Malayarayas have no historical memory about their presence in Ayiroor, the relationship with Aranmula temple or "Vanjippattu". These facts have came into light through some studies concluded quite recently.
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [https://web.archive.org/web/20180603064429/idukki.nic.in/culture.htm#Malayarayan Website on the peoples of Idukki district, Kerala state]
Category:Ethnic groups in India Category:South Indian communities
{{India-ethno-stub}} Category:Scheduled Tribes of Kerala