Eluthassan in India

The Eluthassan have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian *
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Eluthassan people are found primarily in the southern Indian state of Kerala. Their name is historically connected with writing and clerical occupations, as the Malayalam word "Ezhuthassan" has traditionally referred to a teacher, writer, or village instructor. The community has long been associated with literacy, record keeping, and educational responsibilities within local society. Malayalam is their primary language, and their cultural identity is closely tied to the traditions and history of Kerala.

Historically, the Eluthassan occupied a respected place in village life because of their connection to education and written communication. In earlier generations, some served as teachers for children in local schools or as assistants in administrative and religious settings. Over time, modernization and expanded educational access changed many of their traditional roles, leading families into a wide variety of professions, government employment, business, and skilled labor.

The Eluthassan community reflects the broader cultural richness of Kerala, a region known for strong literary traditions, education, and deep religious diversity. Though many aspects of life have modernized, family heritage and cultural customs remain important to community identity.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Many Eluthassan families live in towns, villages, and urban areas throughout Kerala. Education is often highly valued, and many pursue work in teaching, office administration, business, skilled trades, or government service. Compared to some rural communities in India, many areas where the Eluthassan live have greater access to schools, transportation, and healthcare, though economic circumstances still vary widely between families.

Family relationships are close, and respect for parents and elders remains an important part of social life. Weddings, festivals, and religious observances are major community events that help preserve family and cultural identity. Meals commonly include rice, coconut-based dishes, lentils, fish, vegetables, and foods traditional to Kerala cuisine.

Kerala's long exposure to trade, migration, and education has influenced younger generations, many of whom seek employment in major Indian cities or abroad. Even so, many Eluthassan families continue to maintain strong ties to their ancestral communities and local traditions.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Eluthassan are primarily Hindu and participate in the religious traditions commonly practiced in Kerala. Religious life may include temple worship, devotion to Hindu gods and goddesses, household rituals, festival observances, and ceremonies connected to family life and important life events.

Many Hindu traditions in Kerala also include reverence for local temples, regional customs, and practices passed down through family lines. Ritual purity, offerings, prayers, and festival participation can play an important role in both personal and community religious life. In some settings, folk beliefs and superstitions may also influence daily practices and decision-making.

Although Christianity has had a historical presence in Kerala for many centuries, many Eluthassan families have had little personal exposure to the biblical gospel or clear teaching centered on salvation through Jesus Christ alone.


What Are Their Needs?

The Eluthassan people have both spiritual and practical needs. While some families have benefited from education and economic opportunity, others continue to face financial pressures, unemployment, rising living costs, and social challenges connected to modern life and migration. Younger generations also face increasing pressure from materialism, cultural change, and religious confusion.

Spiritually, many Eluthassan remain influenced by Hindu traditions without understanding the message of the gospel. There is a need for faithful Christian witness that clearly communicates biblical truth with humility, compassion, and cultural understanding. Believers who can build genuine relationships and patiently disciple those interested in Scripture are greatly needed.

There is also a need for strong local churches that are grounded in biblical teaching and equipped to reach surrounding communities with both truth and practical compassion. Ministries focused on family support, education, counseling, and discipleship can help open doors for meaningful gospel engagement.


Prayer Items

Pray that the Eluthassan people would come to understand the gospel clearly and place their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
Pray for Christian workers and local believers in Kerala to share biblical truth with wisdom, compassion, and courage among the Eluthassan community.
Pray that the Eluthassan people would be adopted through the People Group Adoption program so that ongoing prayer, outreach, discipleship, and future gospel engagement would continue among them.
Pray that believers in southern India would remain faithful to Scripture and effectively reach neighboring communities with the hope of Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Eluthassan in India.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezhuthachan
https://www.britannica.com/place/Kerala
https://censusindia.gov.in
https://www.peoplegroups.org/explore/GroupDetails.aspx?peid=45541


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Eluthassan
People Name in Country Eluthassan
Pronunciation eh-LOO-tuh-chen
Alternate Names Eluthasan; Ezhuthachan; Kadupattan; लूतस्सन
Population this Country 45,000
Population all Countries 45,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached Yes
Frontier Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 16757
ROP3 Code 112006
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 12  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 2
Largest States
Kerala
44,000
Delhi
100
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 12  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 2
  Kerala 44,000
  Delhi 100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Estimated Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Judaism
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Sikhism
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Malayalam (45,000 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code mal
Ethnologue Language Familly Dravidian
Glottolog Language Family Dravidian
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Malayalam (45,000 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code mal
Ethnologue Language Familly Dravidian
Glottolog Language Family Dravidian
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 1

Primary Language:  Malayalam

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1811-1968)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1829-1995)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1841-2022)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Amazon
World Bibles
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Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Malayalam Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
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General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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General Gospel website in this language General / Other
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General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
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Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Binoy Chacko Audio Bible (Malayalam) General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Malayalam YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible App: Malayalam Bible (മലയാളം ബൈബിള്‍) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Malayalam Bible (മലയാളം ബൈബിൾ) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Bible app: Malayalam Contemporary Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible app: Malayalam Gospel Films (മലയാളം ഗോസ്പൽ ഫിലിംസ്) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Bible app: Malayalam Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
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Mobile App Android Book Reading app: J P Vennikulam (ജെ പി വെണ്ണിക്കുളം) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Open Bible Stories (Malayalam) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: RSV (Visawasa Ganangal) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Shyju Mathew Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: വി. നാഗൽ കീർത്തനങ്ങൾ (V Nagal Songs) Shalom Design S2dio
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Mobile App iOS Bible app: Binoy Chacko Audio Bible (Malayalam) General / Other
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Malayalam YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible Gateway scripture Bible Gateway
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Malayalam Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter tools for gospel conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source AjayPayattuparambil - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.