Jennu Kurumbas/ Kattunayakar

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Context

• Jenu Kuruba (J) B Ramesh, at 26, turned to music to express frustration against injustices faced by his tribe.

Jennu Kurumbas

Background and Identity

• Designated scheduled tribe in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Known as Kattunayakar in Tamil and Kannada, meaning "king of the jungle."
• Earliest inhabitants of the Western Ghats, primarily engaged in collecting forest produce like wild honey and wax.

Cultural Practices

• Men wear short dhotis and half-sleeved shirts; women wear long single pieces of cloth.
• Transition from child marriages to marriages after attaining puberty.
• Monogamy is common within the community.

Achievements and Recognition

• Indian documentary "The Elephant Whisperers" won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film in 2023.
• Follows the tribe's care for abandoned elephants.

Religion and Beliefs

• Kattunayakars follow Hinduism and speak a language influenced by Dravidian languages.
• Main deity is Lord Shiva, worshipped as Nayakkar under the name of Bhairava.
• Also venerate animals, birds, trees, rock hillocks, and snakes alongside Hindu deities.

Cultural Affinities

• Fondness for music, songs, and dancing.
• Also referred to as Cholanaickar and Pathinaickars, reflecting diverse cultural aspects.