Kanakkan

In 1909, a British writer wrote that the Kanakkan people wore a sacred thread, which is normally reserved for high caste Brahmins. This is strange since this group is from a Backward caste community.

The Padannan is also called Kanakkan. They claim that they were brought to Kerala to maintain accounts of the temples and given the title Kanakkapillai (accountant). The title Kanakkapillai has become Kannakkan in the course of time. However, they are not using the title Kanakkapillai.