Overview

• Raman Rajamannan, the tribal king of Kerala's Mannan community, attended the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, marking the first time a tribal king participated in the event.
• The invitation was extended by Kerala's Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes, OR Kelu, with travel expenses covered by the Scheduled Caste Development Department.
• Rajamannan, accompanied by his wife Binumol, wore traditional Mannan attire, including the ceremonial thalappavu headgear, during the event.
• The Mannan community, which follows a matrilineal inheritance system, is based in Idukki district and comprises approximately 300 families spread across 48 settlements.
• Despite his royal title, Rajamannan lives a modest life as a farmer, managing a local temple with his family and overseeing community matters through a council of deputies and ministers.