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Marar | |
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Classification | Temple musicians, Musicians caste |
Religions | Hinduism |
Country | India |
Marar is the name given to the caste of hereditary temple musicians [1] of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar region in the state of Kerala, whose primary duty was to provide the traditional temple Sopanam music.[ citation needed] They belong to the Ambalavasi caste. [1] [2]
Paani, the indispensable part of high tantric rituals of temple such as ulsavabali, sreeboothabali etc. is another main hereditory temple profession of Marar. [3] They were also known for their playing of chenda (valam thala represents deva vadyam (usually play inside the nalambalam) and edam thala represents asura vadyam) and idakka [2](deva vadyam) in temples [4] [5] Sopanadwani [6] is the monthly publication of Akhila Kerala Marar Kshema Sabha.