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People group profile · PG041254

The Izhattu Pillaimar of India

The Izhattu Pillaimar of India, numbering about 8,625,000 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are a south Indian community closely associated with the Ezhavas of Kerala, distinguished by their matrilineal traditions, illam-based clan organization, and historical presence in southern Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

They are an indigenous people in the Malayali people cluster of the South Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Hinduism, and they primarily speak Malayalam.

Pray for the Izhattu PillaimarPrint profile

AI-generated illustration representing the Izhattu Pillaimar people
AI-generated illustration, not a photograph. Photo by Google. (2026). Image generated by Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite: Izhattu Pillaimar

Fast facts

Country
India
Population
8,625,000
Affinity group
South Asian Peoples
People cluster
Malayali
Primary language
Malayalam (mal)
Primary religion
Hinduism
Strategic Progress Index
No Longer Unreached
Evangelical
2% or Greater but Less than 5%
GSEC
2% or Greater but Less than 5% Evangelical
Lostness priority
Marginally Reached People Group
Region
Southern Asia, Asia
Location
Tamil Nadu, Kerala

Where they live

Gospel status

The Izhattu Pillaimar are No Longer Unreached, which means 2% or more are evangelical Christians. In GSEC terms, this people group is greater than or equal to 2% evangelical.

  • Congregations exist Yes
  • Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted

Next steps for the Izhattu Pillaimar

  • Pray for the churches among this group to grow in faithfulness and maturity
  • Equip believers to reach the unreached peoples around them
  • Send out laborers from this people to the nations

Primary religion

Hinduism

95% adherents

Primary language

Malayalam · Dravidian family

100% speak Malayalam

Gospel resources in Malayalam

  • Bible available, published 2022
  • JESUS Film available
  • Radio programs available
  • Gospel recordings available
  • Audio resources available
  • Bible stories not available

Films

Bibles

Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.

Pray for the Izhattu Pillaimar

  1. 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
  2. Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
  3. Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
  4. Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.

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