Iyappatharshar kurukkal speech
The Kurukkal are a caste in [Tamilnadu and Kerala], India. Originally a patrilineal community of Travancore whose traditional functions was that of temple servants in Sreepadmanabha swami temple, they became matrilineal towards the end of the 18th century under the influence of the dominant Nambudiri Brahmin caste. From that time on, Kurukkal women had hypergamous marriages with Nambudiri men and Kurukkal men struck similar relationships . Kollakurukkals are not belonging to this group. About 28 families of kurukkals were brought to travancore. They had two family temples. One was at Jagadi and another was at vellalore.
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The community's position in the Hindu ritual ranking system known as varna is disputed. They are one and only existing aadi saiva brahmins.They are Rigvedic people. Before moving to kerala they performed the priesthood in many temples all over tamilnadu.Even today majority of them lives in TN.In Kerala they were included in ambalavasis. They were the only cast in ambalavasis who were allowed to enchage in priesthood. According to ancient scripts they hold the topmost position in saivas. In some ancient records it is said that they came from North India (kaasi).