New Delhi: Raman Rajamannan, the 'king' of Kerala's Mannan community, is among those invited to attend the Republic Day parade in Delhi on Sunday.
Kerala’s Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes, OR Kelu handed to the tribal king the Republic Day invitation, according to NDTV.
Rajamannan, the only tribal king in Kerala, and his wife Binumol flew to Delhi on Wednesday.
The royal couple will visit places in the national capital after the parade and return on February 2.
Minister Kelu said in a social media post that the couple’s travel expenses will be borne by the Scheduled Caste Development Department.
The king will wear a headgear (thalappavu) and traditional attire for the special occasion.
He will be assisted by his two Ministers and soldiers during the functions.
Rajamannan heads 300 families of his tribal clan living in 48 settlements in the Idukki district.
The King holds a special place in the rituals and festivities of the Mannan community.
He took over the reins of his little kingdom in 2012 after king Aryan Rajamannan passed away.
An economics graduate, Rajamannan is a farmer who resides in a simple house and manages a local temple along with his family.
Nevertheless having no special rights, the king oversees community matters with the help of four upa rajas (deputies), one ilayaraja (prince), and a 50-member council of ministers, known as kaanis, according to the report.
His community follows a matrilineal system where women hold the inheritance rights.