Poduval caste is surname of many people in southern India. Poduval caste meaning is Defined by Mr. Wigram103 as one of the Ambalavasi castes, the members of which are as a rule employed as temple watchmen. Writing concerning [205]the Mussads or Muttatus, Mr. N. Subramani Aiyar states that they are known as Muttatus or Mussatus in Travancore and Cochin, and Potuvals (or Poduvals) or Akapotuvals in North Malabar. Potuval means a common person, i.e, the representative of a committee, and a Muttatus right to this name accrues from the fact that, in the absence of the Nambutiri managers of a temple, he becomes their agent, and is invested with authority to exercise all their functions. The work of an Akapotuval always lies within the inner wall of the shrine, while that of the Purappotuval, or Potuval proper, lies outside. From Travancore, Poduvan or Potuvan is recorded as a synonym or sub-division of Marans, who are employed at funerals by various castes.
It is recorded, in the Gazetteer of Malabar, that Pura Pothuvals are of two classes, Chenda Pothuvals or drum Pothuvals, and Mala Pothuvals or garland Pothuvals, the names of course referring to the nature of the service which they have to render in the temple. The Chenda Pothuvals would appear to be closely connected with the Marars or Marayars, who are also drummers. Mala Pothuvals follow marumakkattayam (inheritance in the female line), their women having sambandham (alliance) with men of their own caste or with Brahmans, while the men can have sambandham in their own caste, or with Nayar women of any of the sub-divisions below Kiriyattil. Their women are called Pothuvarassiar or Pothuvattimar. It is further recorded104 that, in some cases, for instance among Mala Pothuvals and Marars in South Malabar, a fictitious consummation is an incident of the tali-kettu ; the girl and manavalan (bridegroom) [206]being made to lie on a bed together, and left there alone for a few moments. Amongst the Mala Pothuvals this is done twice, once on the first and once on the last day, and they apparently also spend the three nights of the ceremony in the same bed-chamber, but not alone, an Enangatti sleeping there as chaperone. In these two castes, as in most if not all others, the ceremony also entails the pollution of the girl and her bridegroom. Amongst the Marars, they are purified by a Nambudiri after they leave their quasi-nuptial couch. Amongst the Mala Pothuvals, they are not allowed to bathe or to touch others during the wedding till the fourth day, when they are given mattu (change of cloths) by the Veluttedan.
Podala occurs as a Canarese form of Poduval.
Poduval caste is one of the many castes subcastes of India.
India has thousands of castes and subcastes, they are in existence and practice since the Vedic times. They were created to solve the problem of division of labor. Poduval caste name could indicate the type of work people belonging to the Poduval caste do or did in earlier times. Many last names in India indicate the place the person originally belongs to. All castes sub castes are primarily divided into 4 categories:
1.Brahmins – The learned or priestly class
2.Khastriyas – The warrior class or those with governing functions
3.Vaishyas – The trader, agriculturalists or cattle rearers class
4.Shudra – The class that serves other three categories
Poduval caste belongs to one of the above 4 categories. Indian caste system is the best system to solve the problem of division of labor. In earlier times there was no rigidity in caste system. Indian caste system is still the best solution for the problem of division of labor, the only change that is needed as per changed times is that rather than having a vertical hierarchical system with Brahmins on top and Shudras at bottom, it would be good to have a horizontal socialist system with Brahmins, Khastriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras all at same level.
The caste system of India is in ruins at present. It is also cause of bloody quarrels in certain parts of the rural India. People of backward castes have reservations in government jobs, this facility is widely misused in India. Many of the backward caste people have become rich and still use the facility for their benefit. Many in India believe reservation in jobs should be given on the basis of poverty rather than caste because there are many poors in upper castes as well.
Many criticize the Indian caste system because of bad material condition of lower castes but if they observe in an unbiased way they would find that there are many in upper castes with bad material conditions. The problem lies in power not in castes, power can corrupt anyone be it from upper caste or lower caste.
All cultures, all countries, all religions have caste system in one form or the other. Christians have different churches depending on the region or language or skin color of people. Muslims have a priestly class that tries to control everything. Arab Muslims before the oil boom were so much divided among tribes that if you drank water from a well of a different tribe you could be shot dead. Tribal divisions still exists among Muslims. You can also see the caste system in a different form in your corporate companies. I had seen different food and drinking facilities for people at different levels.
Poduval caste is also known as Poduval Gotra.
Caste situation is quiet different in urban India, people in urban areas especially youngsters don?t bother about castes. Inter caste, inter religious, inter lingual marriages are quiet common in urban India. Inter caste, inter religious and inter lingual marriages in rural areas attract severe criticism and many times people are expelled from community for not marrying as per religious and caste rules.