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Karaikudi

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Karaikudi
Karaikkudi
Municipality
CountryIndia
StateTamil Nadu
DistrictSivaganga
Elevation
82 m (269 ft)
Population
 (2001)
 • Total286,422
Languages
 • OfficialTamil
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
630001
Telephone code04565
Vehicle registration63
Websitewww.municipality.tn.gov.in/karaikudi

Karaikudi (Template:Lang-ta) is a Municipality in Sivaganga District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is part of the area commonly referred to as "Chettinad". Karaikudi became popular because the area is famous for houses built with limestone called 'karai veedu'. It may also be due to a plant called "Karai" which is widely spread over this area.It is the biggest city in the district.

Karaikudi is also associated with the "Chettinadu" or "Karaikudi" cuisine although the term "Chettinadu" is widely used nowadays to refer to non-vegetarian delicacies in-spite of actual Chettinadu cuisine being predominantly vegetarian.

Karaikudi assembly constituency is part of Sivaganga (Lok Sabha constituency).[1]

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[2][3] Karaikudi had a population of 86,442. Males constitute ~50% of the population. The male:female ratio favours females with about 1006 females for every 1000 males.

Karaikudi has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 73%. 12% of the population is under 6.

There were nearly 20,000 households in Karaikudi, averaging 4 persons per household.The estimated population of the area in 2001 is 227,294.

Chettinadu and Chettiars

Karaikudi and surrounding areas are generally referred to as "Chettinadu". Chettinadu literally 'Chetti land' in Tamil, is a collection of 76 villages/towns. Chettinad included the Ramnad District and Pudukottai State of 'British' India.[4][5] The Chettiars, or more properly the Nattukottai Chettiars, came from the Chettinad. Originally involved in salt trading, sometime in the 18th century they became known as financiers and trade facilitators. By the early 19th century finance had become their primary specialisation and they became famed lenders to land-owning families and in underwriting the grain trade through the provision of hundis.[6] Several members of the Chettiar community migrated to nearby Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Burma in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Geography

Karaikudi is located in Sivagangai district of Tamil Nadu State. The Trichy - Rameswaram Highway passes through Karaikudi. Earlier, Karaikudi was a small village in Ramanathapuram District and in 1928, its status changed from Panchayat to Grade III Municipality. The city became well connected by Railways and Roadways in 1930. Karaikudi was upgraded to Grade II Municipality in 1973 and later to Selection Grade Municipality in 1988. The area of Municipality is about 13.75 sq. km comprising the revenue villages of Kalanivasal, Sekkalai kottai, Elappakudi Area, Ariyakudi Area and Senjai.[7]

The Thennar River flows through South Karaikudi. It is 300 km from Coimbatore, 90 km from Trichy, 80 km from Madurai, and 400 km from Chennai, 50 km from Pudukkottai.

Karaikudi is located at 10°04′N 78°47′E / 10.07°N 78.78°E / 10.07; 78.78. It has an average elevation of 82 metres (269 ft).

The terrain of Karaikudi is predominantly flat. Rocky areas are found in the surrounding areas of Karaikudi town and intensity of rocks is more towards western side of the town. The soil is hard red lateritic type and is not suitable for cultivation.[8]

The water table in the area is generally at depths of 3 to 6 feet and rises to nearly 1m below the ground level during rainy seasons. Some bore wells operate at a depth of 100’ to 200’. The most important source of groundwater is from the deeper aquifer under artesian conditions. Locally known as "Semponootru" or "sembaiyootru", springs produce water near the Devakottai Rasta. Since 1970s the water supply for the Karaikudi residents relies on this deeper aquifer.[9]

The average maximum temperature is about 34°C and average minimum temperature is about 24°C. The annual average rainfall in Karaikudi is about 920mm. The monthly averages[10] are:

Month Maximum Temperature (°C) Minimum Temperature (°C) Rainfall (mm)
January 30.5 20.6 14.1
February 33.0 21.5 11.5
March 35.8 23.4 24.4
April 37.3 25.9 44.2
May 37.8 26.4 75.1
June 36.8 26.4 47.9
July 36.1 26.1 59.2
August 35.7 25.6 73.4
September 35.0 24.9 121.7
October 32.5 24.1 160.8
November 30.3 22.9 196.5
December 29.5 21.1 92.3

Places of interest

  • NattarasanKottai-Kannudayanayaki Amman Temple
  • Pranmalai Seik Oliyulla Darga - Muslim Darga(40 km)
  • Ariyakudi Kovil - also known as 'Then Thirupathi' Hindu Temple (5 km)
  • Koppudai Amman Kovil - Hindu Temple (0 km)
  • Kalaiyar Kovil - Hindu Temple (30 km)
  • Kanadukathan - tourist place (16 km)
  • Kovilur Madum - Hindu Mutt (2 km)
  • Kundrakudi Murugan Kovil- religious place (Hill Temple), Hindu Temple (10 km)
  • Nagara Sivan Kovil - Hindu Temple (0 km)
  • MuthuMariyamman Kovil - Hindu Temple (0 km)
  • 108 Pillaiyar Kovil, Hindu Temple (Near Nagara Sivan Koil)
  • Nemam Kovil - Hindu Temple (12 km)
  • Pillayarpatti Kovil- 1,600 years old religious place,[11] Hindu Temple (12 km)
  • Vairavan Kovil - Hindu Temple (14 km)
  • Sakkottai Kovil - Hindu Temple (12 km)
  • Ambakkudi Sri Ainthu Veetu Kaliamman Koil (15 Km)
  • Gandhi Square at Maharnonbu Pottal - a place where famous personalities have delivered great speeches
  • Aayiram jannal veedu - Tourist place; palatial house with 1000 windows.
  • Krishnamurthy Perumal Kovil - Lord Siva & Perumal Placed together - Hindu Temple (0 km).

Food speciality

A new genre of cuisine has been named after this region, variously known as "Chettinad", "Karaikudi" or "Achi Samayal".

These food items are cooked using special masalas (curry) and using special processes. Some of the local specialities are:

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Education

Dr. Alagappa Chettiar dedicated his entire life for the benefit and uplift of the downtrodden in and around Karaikudi and founded the key educational institutions:

  • Alagappa college of Arts and Science was founded in 1947 [12]
  • The Alagappa College of Education was founded in June 1950 [13]
  • Dr. Alagappa Chettiar Training College Model High School founded in 1951
  • Alagappa Chettiar College of Engineering & Technology founded in 1952
  • Alagappa Montessori School was founded in 1953 [12]
  • Alagappa Primary School was founded in 1954 [12]
  • Alagappa Polytechnic was founded in 1955 [12]
  • Alagappa Preparatory School was founded in 1955 [12]
  • Alagappa School of Music was founded in 1956 [12]
  • The Alagappa College of Physical Education was inaugurated in July 1956 by the Maharaja of Mysore [14]


Much of infrastructure originally created for the above institutions were utilized to create a new institution of higher education and Alagappa University was brought into existence by a Special Act of the Government of Tamil Nadu in May 1985. [15]

Alagappar Chettiar also helped establishment of Central Electro Chemical Research Institute (CECRI) [16], which provides research and teaching in collaboration with Alagappa University.

CECRI was started at Karaikudi at the behest of Vallal Dr. Alagappar who generously donated Rs.1.5M and 300 acres of land to the Government of India in 1948.

Hindu Madha Abhimana Sangam, which is functioning for about 100 years and is focussed on maintaining a library of religious books, organises lectures by renowned persons and cultural events to propagate the glory of the religion among the youngsters.

Primary / Secondary education

Education administered by State Board, Matriculation and Central Board are available.

Tertiary education

Transport

Road

Two Bus terminals include the "Old Bus-stand" in south Karaikudi and the "New Bus-stand" in north Karaikudi.

Buses that connect the nearby villages and smaller towns (example Devakottai, Peerkalaikadu, Puduvayal, Thirupathur, Thirumayam, Rangiyam, Kadiyapatti and Kallal) terminate at the Old bus-stand. The State Transport Corporation runs long-distance buses to Coimbatore, Chennai and Bangalore from Old bus-stand.

All mofussil buses that connect Karaikudi with towns such as Salem, Trichy, Madurai, Sivakasi, Dindigul, Palani, Pattukottai, Thanjavur, Theni, Erode, Aranthangi, Nagoor, Thiruvarur, Mannargudi, Velankanni,Rameshwaram, Ramanathapuram, Kalayar Kovil, Paramakudi, Mudukulothoor, Pudukottai, Nagapattinam, Tirupur, Coimbatore(TNSCT), Bangalore(KSRTC) terminate at the New bus-stand.

Rail

Karaikudi Junction is located where two railway lines viz. Trichy/Rameshwaram and Karaikal/Quilon join.[17]

The meter gauge section between Karaikudi and Pattukottai (part of the Karaikudi/Thiruvarur section) has been taken up for conversion into Broad Gauge and therefore traffic has been stopped in this section from March 15, 2012.

Air

Tiruchirapalli International Airport is 90 km away. Madurai Airport is about 100 km away.

Historic events

  • Subramanya Bharathi visited Karaikudi in 1919 to participate in a function organized by the Hindu Madhabhimana Sangam. Bharathi also sang a poem praising the good work done by Chettiar youth. One of the rarest photo of Bharathi was taken here on 9 September 1919 [18] in which he carries a long baton and is often cited as 'The Scepter wielding King of Poetry' (Tamil: செங்கோல் செலுத்தும் கவியரசன்) [19].
  • Dr. Rajendra Prasad, then Vice-President of India laid the foundation stone for ACCET main building (1953)
  • Kamban Kazhakam - An association to appreciate the works of Kamban especially "Kamba Ramayanam" was founded by Sa. Ganesan, Raya Sokkalingam and So. Murugappan in 1938 [21] at Karaikudi. Now several Kamban Kazhakams are functioning around the globe.

Notables

  • Padma Bhushan Dr. R. M. Alagappa Chettiar is known as "Vallal" meaning a great philanthropist. He established the educational and commercial institutions in Karaikudi.
  • Muthaiah popularly known as Kavignar Kannadasan
  • Mr. SP. Muthuraman - Film Director.
  • Mr. Panju Arunachalam - Tamil Lyricist, Screenwriter, Producer, Film Director.
  • Mr. AV. Meyyappan - Producer / Director. He made Bharatiyar songs copyright free and available to everyone.
  • Mr. Rama Narayanan - Director with an entry in Guinness Book of World Records for directing 12 movies in 1984[citation needed]
  • Raja Annamalai Chettiar - Industrialist, Philanthropist, Founder of Annamalai University
  • Kundrakudi Vaithiyanathan - Violin Maestro
  • Karaikkudi Mani - Mridangam Maestro
  • Revered Kundrakudi Adikalar - Religious leader, Tamil scholar
  • S.A.P. Annamalai - Founder of Kumudam, the largest selling Tamil weekly
  • Tamil Vanan - writer / publisher
  • P. Chidambaram - Politician, lawyer, Hon. Union Minister for Finance
  • Ariyakudi Ramanuja Aiyangar - Doyen of Carnatic Music - Maestro
  • M.A. Chithamabaram (MA. CT) - Industrialist, Philanthropist, Past president of BCCI
  • N.M. Family, First Donors of Thiru Avinankudi Temple, Palani [22]
  • M.A.M. Ramasamy (MAM) - Industrialist, Philanthropist, Pro-chancellor of Annamalai University
  • Kamban Adipodi Sa Ganesan - Founder of Tamil Thai Kudil (A temple for mother Tamil), Kamban Kazhzakam, Kamban Manimandapam and organiser of Kamban Vizha
  • Karumuthu Thyagarajan Chettiar - Founder of Bank of Madura (now merged with ICICI), founder of Thyagaraja College of Engineering, Madurai
  • AMM. Murugappa Chettiar (AMM) - Founder of AMM group of companies
  • Moodharingar, Semmal, Munaivar V.SP.Manickam - Former Vicechancellor Madurai Kamaraj University.
  • AR.A.RM. Chockalingam Chettiar - Freedom Fighter, First MLA of Karaikudi after India's freedom
  • RM.VR. Ramasamy Chettiar - Philanthropist
  • RM. Periyakaruppan Chettiar - Founder of Ramasamy Tamil College
  • MA. Chidambram Chettiar, kanadukathan, Chairman-SPIC
  • Dr. AC. Muthiah Chettiar, Emiritus Chairman-SPIC

References

  1. ^ "List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies" (PDF). Tamil Nadu. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 2008-10-12.
  2. ^ Template:GR
  3. ^ Tamil Nadu Census 2001[1]
  4. ^ Government of Burma 1930a, Report of the Burma Provincial Banking Enquiry Committee, 1929-30, Volume I: Banking and Credit in Burma, Rangoon, Superintendent of Government Printing
  5. ^ Siegleman, P. 1962, Colonial Development and the Chettyar: A Study in the Ecology of Modern Burma, 1850-1941, unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Minnesota.
  6. ^ The Chettiar
  7. ^ Karaikudi Municipality, Commissioner. "Karaikudi Municipal Council". Department Of Municipal Administration And Water Supply. Retrieved 31 Dec 2012.
  8. ^ Karaikudi Municipality, Commissioner. "Karaikudi Municipal Council". General info on the KMC. Department Of Municipal Administration And Water Supply. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  9. ^ Karaikudi Municipality, Commissioner. "Karaikudi Municipal Council". General info on the KMC. Department Of Municipal Administration And Water Supply. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  10. ^ Anonymous. "Meoweather". Weather reports. Meoweather. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  11. ^ District administration
  12. ^ a b c d e f Alagappa Institutions website by VSS Kannan [2]
  13. ^ College of Education [3]
  14. ^ College of Physical Education [4]
  15. ^ Alagappa Univerity Website [5]
  16. ^ a b CSIR-CECRI official website CSIR-CECRI
  17. ^ Railway website
  18. ^ Malarmannan article on Madhabhimana Sangam in Thinnai e-zine, 17 Jan 2011, [6]
  19. ^ Information website on Bharathiar [7]
  20. ^ The Hindu, 27-9-1927; Secondary source
  21. ^ Kamba Iyakkam Kambanadipodi by M. Palaniappan, Thinnai e-zine, 26-03-2009 [8]
  22. ^ http://palani.org/avinankudi.htm
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