We Ezhavas form the largest group among Hindu communities in Kerala. We can proudly call ourselves one of the most progressive communities of the state. We take up an estimated 40% of the entire Kerala population. We have an history filled with interesting incidents and noteworthy achievements.

Our forefathers were Ayurveda Vaidyars, Warriors, Kalari Trainers, Soldiers, Farmers, Cultivators, Siddha Physicians, and Traders. Some were also involved in textile manufacturing, liquor business, and toddy tapping.

The role played by Sri Narayana Guru, a great saint, and social reformer who advocated the doctrine 'One caste, one religion, One God' guides many in our community. Today he still guides many families in our community.

Did you know?

• The Alummootil Meda in Mavelikara is a grand manor and outhouses which belonged to the yesteryear Ezhava's aristocracy.
• Ezhava folk songs, the Vadakkan Pattukal, composed about 400 hundred years ago, described the military background of the heroes of our community.
• Many of our forefathers had served in the armed forces of all important kings of the region, such as Zamorins of Calicut, and the Kings of Travancore and Cochin. Many were employed as guards or sentinels in the palaces of Cochin and Travancore.
• In ancient times many Ezhava families were practitioners of Visha chikitsa (toxicology) for decades, treating poison from bites of snakes, scorpions, etc. This has been discontinued by many of these families now.
• Arjuna nritham or Mayilpeeli Thookkam or the dance of Arjuna is a ritual art which is practiced typically by our community and is widely prevalent in the Bhagavathy temples of the southern parts of Kerala, primarily in Alappuzha, Kollam, and the Kottayam District. Another is the Poorakkali, which is a folk dance, which is performed uniquely by us, in the Bhagavathy temples in the form of a ritual offered in the month of Meenam which comes between the months of March to April in the Christian calendar.