出典:Wikipedia
出典:『Wikipedia』 (2011/07/11 20:30 UTC 版)
Maaran (or Maaraar, Maran) is the name given to the temple musicians of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar in the state of Kerala, India whose primary duty was to provide the traditional temple Sopanam music. Their position in the caste system varies from place to place in Kerala. In Travancore, although they were Ambalavasi they had status intermediate between Itasseri Nair subcaste and Chempukotti Nair (Intermediate between Nair proper and Nair Inferior). In Malabar they enjoyed relatively superior status.