He has no kingdom to rule but a people to look after and wears a headgear (thalappavu) at social functions but lives in a modest house. His "capital" is Kozhimala village under Idduki’s Kanchiyar panchayat. Meet Raman Rajamannan, the king of the Mannan community and the only tribal king in Kerala. On January 26, Rajamannan and his wife Binumol will be among persons selected from tribal communities from various states for Republic Day celebrations in Delhi. Having ascended to the metaphorical throne 12 years ago after the death of the previous king Aryan Rajamannan, Raman is the head of 3,000-odd families of Mannans – a tribal clam that, as The Indian Express reported back in 2017, trace their history to the time when several tribes were forced to flee from present-day Tamil Nadu following a hotly-contested war between Chola and Pandya kings. Today, the Mannans live in 46 settlements - most of them in Idukki district, although a few of them are also in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts. Mostly engaged as farm labourers and daily wagers, the Mannans have long attracted media attention for their distinctive customs and traditions – among them a unique system of self-governance under their king. In the clan, the king’s advice still holds significant sway over the kudis (settlements). According to the 39-year-old Rajamannan, who is a farmer, although his role in the clan’s affairs is limited and he had no official “role or rights” as king, his people recognise him as such. “Our people work as farmers and daily wage workers - with many of them depending on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act Scheme. A section of others is engaged in the traditional job of procuring forest produce,’’ he said. For the tribal “king”, the invitation for Republic Day celebrations is “an honour” “In the early 80s, Pandian, a (Mannan) community member, had attended the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi. I’m the first king from the community invited for the function. We were told by (Kerala’s) SC/ST Department that each state will be sending a tribal couple for the celebrations. I was informed last November last year to complete all formalities,” Rajamannan, who is already in Delhi with Binumole, said.
