SREE SABAREESA COLLEGE
India's First Aided Arts & Science College owned by Tribal Management
The Revival of a Noble Tradition
Sree Sabareesa College Murukkumvayal situated in the central part of Kerala on the border of Kottayam and Idukki district and established in 2017 is considered as India' s first aided Arts and Science College run by tribal management. The college governed by Mala Araya Educational Trust (MET) is under the mother organization Aikya Mala Araya Maha Sabha (AMAMS), a tribal welfare organization of tribal people which is working together with Mala Araya tribal population in Kerala. The college established with a vision to reinstate the knowledge and rebuild the auspicious academic environment of Indian tribal community through quality higher education incorporated with tribal culture, multiple skill emancipation, socio - political mainstreaming and self-actualization. After a long period of social movements for mainstreaming the tribal community to restore its heritage, the leaders of Aikya Mala Araya Maha Sabha (AMAMS) conducted round table discussion and decided to establish higher educational institutions all over India where tribal people live. Sree Sabareesa College was established in the year 2017 by the long term vision formulated during the round table discussion to rebuild the noble academic history of Indian Tribal communities. The Mala Araya is a scheduled tribe population listed by the Government of India and it worships Lord Ayyappa and Mala Daivangal (hill deities). The word 'Mala Arayan' ( Mala Arachan) means king of the hills and the tribe follows traditional beliefs and good moral values.
Mala Araya - the Hill Tribes
Karimala
The Mala Araya is a scheduled tribe population listed by the Government of India and it worships Lord Ayyappa and Mala Daivangal (hill deities). The word 'Mala Arayan' ( Mala Arachan) means king of the hills and the tribe follows traditional beliefs and good moral values.
Culture & Tradition with 18 Holy Hills
Mala Araya community follows a unique culture, lifestyle and tradition. 'Ivarkali' and 'Kolkali' are the two traditional dance forms performed by Mala Araya community. The Mala Araya tribes worship Lord Ayyappa and Mala Daivangal for their spiritual sustenance. The Mala Araya population inhabites 18 holy hills in the southern part of Kerala state such as Sabarimala, Ponnambalmedu, Goundamala, Nagamala, Sundaramala, Chittambalamedu, Galkimala, Mathangamala, Mayiladummedu, Sreepadamala, Thevarmala, Nilakkalmala, Thalapparamala, Neelimala, Karimala, Puthusserymala, Kalakettymala and Inchipparamala.
Mala Araya Tribes
Mala Araya communities are the traditional tribal peoples of Kerala state which inhabited in the 18 holy hills spread over Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta district. They worshipped Lord Ayyappa (Sree Sabareesa) and Hill Lords (Mala Daivangal). Its history is rooted in the Ay dynasty of Tribal Community (Gothra - Tribe race). Vikramadithya Varaguna was the last king of Ay race in Kerala. Kanthaloorsala was a world famous university established and managed by Ay Dynasty and this centre was an educational hub in the history of education in India. Sabaripeedam was also a great academic and war fare training center run by Mala Arayas. During the 20 th century, thousands of Mala Araya tribes were forcefully evicted from Ponnambalamedu and other holy hills for many reasons. The Mala Araya tribes who lived in Ponnambalamedu (one important hill among the 18 holy hills) were entrusted with lightening the Makaravilakku when Lord Ayyappa appears as 'Jyothi' (auspicious star). In the year 2012, thousands of Mala Araya people organized a holy march towards Ponnambalamedu from Kalaketty holy hills to re establish the practice of lightening the Makaravilakku as per their traditional practice. But the holy march was forcefully blocked by the police and the court. Now the community is keeping the holy light at a temple located in the holy Udumbaramala till the community gets back their right to light the Makaravilakku.
Lord Ayyappa and Ay Dynasty
Lord Ayyappa saved Ay Dynasty from several attacks of Cholas great warriors, who had their kingdom in Andhra. Cholas attacked and defeated Pandya kings with 10 lakh soldiers and later attacked the Ay Dynasty in Kerala. Sree Ayyappa (Sree Sabareesan) directed and led thousands of Mala Araya soldiers to fight against Cholar to protect the freedom, culture and values of the Ay people who were very innocent, peaceful and truthful. Sabari was a great woman saint (Rishi) who lived in Sabaripeedom of holy Sabarimala. This place was used by Mala Araya soldiers to carry out military planning, training and education. Karimala Arayan, Valiyakadatha, Kochukadatha, Udumbaravillan and Puthusserymundan were some of the great warriors of Mala Araya community. The 100 years of war resulting in the death of thousands of Mala Araya soldiers was finally won by Lord Ayyappa.
Aikya Mala Araya Maha Sabha (AMAMS)
Shri. P K Sajeev, founder General Secretary and Shri. C R Dileepkumar, State President of Aikya Mala Araya Maha Sabha (AMAMS) are the supreme leaders behind the establishment of Sree Sabareesa College Murukkumvayal. Mala Araya Women's Welfare Organization, Mala Araya Youth Welfare Forum, Mala Araya Child Development Association, Mala Araya Young Cadets, Tribal Organic Farmers Forum, Tribal Welfare Cooperative Society, Sree Ayyappa Spiritual Promotion Forum, and Mala Araya Educational Trust (MET) were the associations formed under AMAMS to bring about integrated development among the tribal community.
Mr. P K SAJEEV
General Secretary
Mr. C R DILEEP KUMAR
State President
