Vannar is a Hindu caste referring the community of washer men. They are believed to have migrated into Kochi during the colonial times. It is believed that the King brought the Vannars to fulfill the demand for laundry services that existed during the colonial times. The present days Vannars in Kochi trace their roots back to Coimbatore and Thirunelveli districts of Tamil nadu.Until the 1970’s they carried out their business in the open, in an area that had numerous ponds in Fort Kochi. Since then, they have shifted their operations to Dhobi Khana built by the Greater Kochi Development Authority. Dhobi Street that they inhibit currently, boasts of four temples all bearing names and the architecture is strikingly Tamil. Even though their ancestors were from Tamil Nadu they are a highly indigenized community. But having said that they do uphold their cultural identity through festival such as ‘Mulakoottu’.
