This paper focuses on identity crisis of a migrant community viz, Gajula Balija, locally known as Valachetties in Kerala who are recently included in the broad constitutional category as Naidu. This Telugyu speaking community had migrated from Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala during 19th century in search of better destination. Their population in Kerala is below 1000 and are distributed in Kannur, Kozhikkode, Malappuram , Thrissur and Palakkad districts. Since the social set up in Kerala was ruled by rigid caste system during their arrival in kerala they had to undergo different ways to adapt with the social and economic ssituations in Kerala. By employing the Anthropological methods like survey, observation, interviewing and case studies the paper examines their history of migration, demographic profile occupational structure and their struggle to be accepted as a caste group in Kerala .The paper also discuss the community’s adaptation to social cultural and economic system of Kerala and their experience of sanskritisation. However daspite the efforts made to recognise Gajula Balija ( Valachetties) as a distinct caste group, they are included under the Label of Naidu. Though this gave them new identity as Naidu they face identity crisis at the same time. The study try to shed light of these issues.
Anthropological importance: Based on the intenssive study of this community a representation was filed to the backward class commission to include them in the caste list of Kerala. The commission submitted the report and on the basis of it Council of Ministers decided to include Naidu and its subcastes like Gajula Balija under OBC caegory. Gazette notification of the above case listed Naidu as a broad category and the efforts are still going to establish their identity, but the generation gap exists in this case too.
