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In the northern district of Kerala they are also known as Thiyyas. They are found all over Kerala basically as a cultivating class. Traditionally they are connected with growing and tapping of coconut trees. The term Chovan is believed generally as a corruption of Sevaka or servant. Ezhavas belong to the working class and they were treated as untouchables.
Narayana Guru (born 1854- died 1928)who was born in ezhava community, was a great sage and social reformer of India. He transformed the social face of Kerala. He founded SNDP Yogam, a social movement in kerala for the upliftment of the Ezhava community.Ezhavas are now a fast improving, gaining strength economically, culturally and politically. They are also considered as one of the major Dravidian community of India. Famous people belonging to Ezhava community include Narayana guru, Kumaranasan(poet and social reformer), Sahodharan Ayyappan, T.K.Madhavan, R.Sankar(former Cheif Minister of Kerala), Nataraja guru, M.Knight Shamalan(Film director) etc.