Nagarathar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
| Total population |
|---|
| 150 000 |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Burma |
| Languages |
| Religion |
| Related ethnic groups |
The Nagarathars (also known as Nagarattar) are a Chettiar community that originated in Kaveripoompattinam under the Chola kingdom of India. They are a prominent mercantile caste in Tamil Nadu, South India.[1]
[edit] Business community
Nagarathar business people are Hindus, predominantly originating in the Chettinad[2] region of Tamil Nadu. They have been trading with Southeast Asia since the heyday of the Chola empire, but in the 19th Century they migrated to countries throughout Southeast Asia. (See Tamil diaspora)
Nagarathars, also known as Nattukkottai Chettiars, were an important trading class of 19th and 20th century South East Asia and spread to Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Malayasia, Singapore, Java, Sumatra, and Ho Chi Minh City. Changing political and economic situations since that time have caused many of these communities to disappear as their members returned to India or sought other, more hospitable homes.
Chettiars were traditionally involved in occupations like moneylending and wholesale trading. Banks established by Chettiars include the now defunct Bank of Chettinad, and the now ICICI merged Bank of Madurai founded by Karumuttu Thiagarajan Chettiar (an Architect par excellence, Textile Don, highly principled Educationist and Philanthropher), Indian Overseas Bank founded by Shri. M. Ct. M. Chidambaram Chettiar, and Indian Bank founded by Raja Annamalai Chettiar. Nagarathars are known for their philanthropy; building temples, and schools and maintaining them throughout Asia. A married Nagarathar lady is usually addressed as 'Achi' with respect.
[edit] Religious influence
Nagarathars spread Hinduism in Asian countries as well as business. Even today, one can find temples dedicated to the Hindu deity, Murugan, spread throughout Asia. There are Thandayuthapani temples in 15 locations in Malaysia, two in Singapore, 50 temples in Myanmar, and two in Ho Chi Minh City. Sri Lanka has three of these temples, as well as the famous Selva Vinayagar Temple (Kandy). There are also temples maintained by Nagarathars in locations across the globe, including North America. Inscriptions within the Karpaka Vinayakar Temple at Pillayarpatti dating between 1091 and 1238 indicate that the Pillayarpatti Nagarattar became the custodians of the temple during the 13th century, in its second growth phase.[3]. Nagarathars are basically Siva worshippers (Shaiviste). They have the tradition of taking Siva Upathesham and for this purpose they have established two Mads.
It is also believed that Kannagi and Kovalan, the prime personalities of the epic Silappatikaram were born in this community (called 'Thanavanigar' by then).
'Pattinathar' - a saint, who is believed to be a Nagarathar and was a trader before leaving the worldly pleasures.
[edit] Chettinad Cuisine
As apparent from the name, the popular Chettinad cuisine is a special attribute of the Nagarathar Community. Among the food lovers, the community is identified because of their special delicacies.
Some of their common snacks are:
- Aadi Koozh
- Vellai Paniyaram
- Kuzhi paniyaram
- Masala Paniyaram
- Sweet Seeyam
- Paal Kuzhakkattai (Milk and rice recipe)
- Seepu seedai
- Thenkuzhal
- Manokaram
- Kavuni arisi (Sweet brown rice)
and many more.
Vegetarian main courses:
- Vegetable Mandi
- Vazhakkai Karuvattu poriyal (Unripe Banana deep fried)
- Vazhapoo Vadai (Banana flower vadai)
- Karunai kizhangu masiyal
- Onion koas
- Brinjal koasmalli
- Poricha kuzhambu
Some popular non-vegetarian dishes include:
- Chettinad Chicken curry
- Mutton Kola Urundai
- Uppukandam
[edit] Nagarathar Marriage
Nagarathars belong to one of the 9 temples (briefed in the sections below). People within the same temple are considered as brothers/sister. Apparently the bride and groom should belong to different temples if they are to be married. However there are some exceptions to Mathur temple where there are subdivisions within this temple. So marriage among brides and grooms of certain subdivisions are permitted. Every Nagarathar marriage has to be approved and registered in the respective groom's temple. Once approved, a garland would be delivered on the behalf of the temple authorities on the wedding day and only from there on the marriage would be conducted. This can be assumed synonym to an approval certificate.
Nagarathar marriage is conducted in single day. Even today,though almost all the nagarathar stay away from their nagara village, they prefer to have their son/daughter's marriage in their native village. The marriage in Chettinad in good old days,was more elaborate and complex. The marriage ceremony was long drawn procedure punctuated with various rituals, customs including gift giving for the wellbeing of the newly married and thus marriage was six days affair. Procession of bridegroom (‘mappillai’ ) accompanied by musicians together with another contingent of relatives of the bride especially the ladies with their colourful costumes mostly in ‘Kandangi’ handloom cotton ‘sarees’, used to be fun filled affair. ‘Nadu Veettu Kolam’ drawing with the use of wet rice flour drawn by ‘aachis’.
[edit] Before Marriage
There are few formalities before marriage in the nagarathar community.
[edit] Pen paarthal
Usually the prospective mother-in-Law, father-in-law and few other close realives go to a common place, to see the bride to be. For recent, the "would be" groom joins his parents though this is not very common. The groom's family is offered a silver bucket with banana and coconut along with beetle leaves and beetle nuts. If the groom and his family like the bride they can take the silver bucket as a token that they like the bride. This is called "Vaali vaanguthal".
[edit] Pesi mudithu kolludhal
once the bride is approved by all,they would exchange betel leaves and nuts(vethalai pakku matri kolluthal).This is a confirmation gesture that the bride and the groom are finalized.The bride's parents and grooms parent(now called sambanthi) decide upon a common day discussing with the astrolgers for the marriage
[edit] Muhurtha kaal unrudhal
Once the marriage date is finalized relatives arrive 4-5 days before marriage.This is the very first formality related to marriage.A bamboo cane is fitted with mango leaves on the top .Puja is done by iyer and close relatives of the bride and the groom keep manjal and kungumam at 5 places in the cane .Once it is over the cane is tied upstraight.This serves as a notification to others in the surrounding that a marriage is going to be conducted at this house
[edit] Veetu padaippu/podhu padaippu
Every family pray to their anscestors in their ancesstral house, which is known as veetu padaippu and all the "pangalis" together perform "podhu padaippu" (joint prayer). In podhu padaippu which is usually conducted at the common house called padaippu veedu, paniayaram(made of rice flour and karuppatti - jaggery) is done by all achi's and each family gets one after the padaippu.The day before marriage pangali's and thaya pillaigal (close relatives) would come to both brides and grooms place to make the nadu veetu kolam and manai kolam
[edit] ON THE DAY OF MARRIAGE
[edit] Mappillai azhaipu
On the day of marriage in the morning before muhurtham ,the groom's family arrive at the bride's village but do not enter the bride's home.The mappillai veetar( groom's side) arrive and wait at some pillayar temple or community centres where the pen veetar(bride's side) headed by bride's father go to welcome them with band.This is called mappillai azhaippu.
[edit] Pen edukki kattuthal
When the groom reaches bride's house she is brought to the door and shown to him.In the olden days this was the first official meeting (rather seeing) of bride and groom.For "pen Parkuthal" only the near relatives of the groom see the bride.
[edit] Thirupotuthal
The brides maternal uncle and grooms maternal uncle (Mamakarargal) wear mamakara pattu ( a flouroscent pink silk towel) wrapped around .The groom sits in the manai.The brides maternal uncle brings her in the manai
The groom ties ’ kaluthiru–the sacred thread or gold chain or Chettiyar thaali was worn during the day of marriage and a substitute gold thaali was given for regular use. The Kaluthiru is a double piece gold chains generally contains a set of total 34 items of hand crafted gold ornaments including two pendants considered to be the most sacred. The pendants carrying the image of goddess ‘Lakshmi’ at the front side and the icons of ‘Meenakshi Sundareswarar’ ‘Rishaba’ bull in the second row. What is very important to note is that these two motifs viz. Lakshmi and Shiva - Parvathi are oft repeated theme in Chettinad, which are highly revered by the Nattukottai Nagarathar as the former symbolizing protection and prosperity while Shiva Parvathi pair on bull, represents happy family life. The Kaluthiru in Tamil language has two different meanings – ‘Kalutheru’ means the chain on neck while ‘Kaluth - Thiru’, denotes the Lakshmi as Thiru in Tamil indicates Mahalakshmi.
[edit] Vaevu irakkuthal
This is a custom which is followed to indicate that wealth in the form of food grains and vegetables are sent from the bride's home by her maternal uncle and their family helped by the groom's maternal uncle (items are carried on the head in baskets). Then it is received at the groom's home.The basket usually contains brinjal and rice
[edit] Mamiyar sadangu
This is a ritual where in the mother in law,in a silver plate with small kinnam's in tha will have Vethalai(betel leaf),Cotton,vibhuthi,manjal.Each time she would apply it to herself and then to her daughter in law. This is repeated for all the items.
[edit] Poo manam choridhal
the elders of both the sides dip their hands in the bowl with flower petals and take out a few petala and keep it at the the seated coulples folded legs, then on shoulder and throw the petals behind the couple.This is done only by male relatives and not by the woman folk and this symbolizes of blessing the couples
[edit] Manjal neeru aduthal
Couple's feet is washed by cousins with manjal neer(turmuric water) Both the samandhis dip their tip of their attire in a turmeric water. Before they used to take bath but in mordern days a a formality for the ritual they dip in the turmeric water
[edit] Saman parapudhal
The items given as seer (dowry/gift) by the bride's family is exhibited to all the relatives who attend the marriage. This is considered a scale for the wealth and prosperity of the bride's family.It contains mappillai saman(for groom),maamiyaar saman(for mother in law) also.The grooms side also add their gifts(silk saree ,dresses cosmetics etc) to the prospective daughter-in-law .
[edit] Kumbuttu kattikolluthal
This is a ritual where in the manamagal falla at the feet of elders from both the bride and groom's side with a "kulam valum pillai"(krishna) in her hand.Each time the elders give it to her they bless her when she falls at her feet.This ritual symbolizes that the following generation to be fertile.
[edit] Mana pen solli kolluthal
An emotional moment where the bride bids farewell to her family and near and dear ones. It is quite common to see the bride and her family members in tears. The bride gets the blessings of all the elders of the family where she was born.
[edit] Kattu soaru unnuthal
During olden days when the groom and their family take the daughter in law to their home, they had to travel for at least a day. Food is packed for them to be consumed on their way. Usually, the groom and their family eat these packed (kattu) food (soaru - rice) and take rest beside some tank/pond which they find on their way. This tradition is still followed in Nagarathar marriages.
[edit] Pen azhaippu
This is the event where the bride is formally welcomed at the grooms home and embrace her as a member of their family. The bride and the groom are usually brought to a temple in their native village before being invited to the grooms residence.
The couple would be asked to put their hands into three thavalais (ever silver pots) and take out the contents inside A small game to see who would take over different roles when they run the family.
Nathanar sadangu (done by the bride's sister - in - law (s) which is the same as mamiyar sadangu would be done at the time of pen azhaippu..[4].
[edit] Relations
Appachi -Father Aatha -Mother (A transformation of the word 'Agathal'. Agam means home, Agathal or aatha means the lady at home) Aachi -Elder sister Aaya -Maternal Grandmother Apatha -Paternal grandmother Ayya -Grandfather Annamdi -Elder brother's wife (annan pendir) Aythan -Cousin(male) or brother in law(Sister's husband) Ayithiyandi -Cousin(female) or sister-in law (Husband's sister) Amman -Uncle Aithai/Ammamdi -Aunty (Amman pendir) Koluthanar -Husband's brother Koluthunavandi -co-sister (Koluthanar pendir) Kolunthiya -wife's sister Sakalai -co-brother (kolunthiya's husband)
(Pendir is a traditional Tamil word for a lady)
Nattukkottai chettiyar have a tradition of naming the first born boy with paternal grandfather's name,the first born girl with paternal grandmother and if another boy or girl the name it by maternal grandparents.Most of the chettiyar's follow this religiously,though there has been few mordernization of the typical chettiyar name.The chettiyar names stand as unique identification in the crowd.
[edit] Pillayar nombu
The Origin of Pillayar Nonbu.[5]
Nagarathars and Pillayar Nonbu Nagarathars are saivites and the first God to be worshipped in Saivism is Lord Ganesha. Nagarathars are well known for their magnanimity in sponsoring temple conscerations and Kumbaabishekams.
They follow the traditional Hindu Poojas and festivals ritually.One suchceremony is Pillayar Nonbu.
The origin of Pillayar Nonbu is not clear and not written as original.
There are various versions of the story as told by the elders:
Philosophy: 1 Lord Ganesha killed demon GAJAMUGASURAN on the day of Sashti in SATHAYA star in the month of MARGAZI. Since Nagarathars worshipped Lord Ganesha as MARAGATHA vinayagar KaveripoomPattinam they celebrated this function with fait and fervour.
Philosophy: 2 In Kaveripoompattinam a Nagarathar family teenage girl was ill-treated by her step‐mother and accused of stealing her diamond ring. The girl worshipped Lord Ganesha for 21 days from the month of KARTHIKAI. She counted days by a thread from her saree. On the 21st day from KARTHIGAI she got an answer from the Lord and her innocence was revealed. This fell on the day of Sathayam and Sashti.
Philosophy: 3 Nagarathars are well‐known to travel abroad in ship to East Asian Countries. During one such time a group of Chettiars were stranded in an island after a shipwreck. They counted the days till rescue by taking one thread from their dhoti each day. They were rescued on the 21st day which was in month Margazhi and the star was sathayam with Thithi Sashti.
For the above reasons it became traditional to celebrate this function as a family during MarGazi month on the day when SASHTI HITHI and SATHAYAM star coincides. On that day 21 threads are taken from new dhoti, made into a wick, and embedded in Dough flour with ghee as the fuel. In India, they will keep a flower Called AVARAM POO as the dayflower. This has 21 petals. All sweet items and typical chettinad snacks are served at the end of function. The elder of the house or the group takes the IZHAI and offers to all in the family or community. This function is celebrated worldwide by all nagarathars, some SriLankan Tamils and also a community in Karnataka.
[edit] Settlements
The king of Pandiya gave the Nagarathar community nine villages around Pudukottai to settle. They built a Shiva temple in each of them and created the "9 temple" or "9 koil" division of the community. Initially, the Nagarathars lived in 96 villages surrounding the temple, but as of 2007, they have reduced their size to 74 villages. The koil is used as a primary classification for the community. Members of each temple society treat each other as brothers and sisters or "pangalis" and thus marriage is not allowed amongst members of the same temple. Men and women of different temples marry, and the bride automatically becomes a member of the groom's temple. The koils are:-
- Illaiyathangudi — 10°11′59″N 78°38′56″E / 10.1998°N 78.6490°E
- Mathur — 10°03′50″N 78°49′29″E / 10.0639°N 78.8247°E
- Vairavankoil — 10°07′44″N 78°39′30″E / 10.1289°N 78.6584°E
- Nemamkoil — 10°08′13″N 78°41′40″E / 10.1369°N 78.6944°E
- Illupaikudi — 10°03′22″N 78°48′34″E / 10.0562°N 78.8095°E
- Surakuddi — 10°08′42″N 78°45′38″E / 10.1450°N 78.7605°E
- Velangudi — 10°06′59″N 78°47′30″E / 10.1165°N 78.7918°E
- Iraniyur — 10°13′42″N 78°39′01″E / 10.2284°N 78.6504°E
- Pillaiyarpatti — 10°07′10″N 78°40′04″E / 10.1195°N 78.6678°E
Some of these temples have sub-divisions.
- IIaiyatrangudi: Kazhani Vaasarkkudaiyar, Kinginikkoorudaiyar, Okkurudaiyar, Pattanasamiyar, Perusenthurudaiyar, Sirusenthurudaiyar, Perumaruthurudaiyar
- Mathur: Arumbakkur, Kannur, Karuppur, Kulathur, Mannur, Manalur, Uraiyur.
- Vairavankoil: Kazhani Vaasarkkudaiyar, Maruthenthirapuram, Periya vahuppu, Pilliyar vahuppu, Theyyanar vahuppu
[edit] Nagarathar villages
The original 96 villages in which the Nagarathar lived are listed as follows:
[edit] Therkku Vattagai (South)
[edit] Mela Vattagai
| # | Name |
|---|---|
| 20 | Kilasivalpatti — 10°10′58″N 78°40′15″E / 10.1827°N 78.6707°E |
| 21 | P. Alagapuri |
| 22 | Kandavarayanpatti — 9°52′11″N 78°33′04″E / 9.8698°N 78.5512°E |
| 23 | Pulangkurichi — 10°16′11″N 78°35′28″E / 10.2698°N 78.5912°E |
| 24 | Aavinipatti — 10°12′36″N 78°39′42″E / 10.2099°N 78.6618°E |
| 25 | Mahibalanpatti — 10°11′58″N 78°33′48″E / 10.1995°N 78.5632°E |
| 26 | Viramathi — 10°10′29″N 78°39′44″E / 10.1748°N 78.6621°E |
| 27 | Nerkkupai — 10°14′36″N 78°31′34″E / 10.2433°N 78.5262°E |
| 28 | Sirukudalpatti — 10°08′34″N 78°38′54″E / 10.1427°N 78.6483°E |
| 29 | A. Thekkalur — 10°11′55″N 78°30′33″E / 10.1986°N 78.5092°E |
| 30 | Sevoor — 10°15′35″N 78°35′53″E / 10.2596°N 78.5981°E |
[edit] Keela pathoor Vattagai
| # | Name |
|---|---|
| 31 | Arimalam — 10°15′05″N 78°53′19″E / 10.2513°N 78.8885°E |
| 32 | Rayavaram — 10°15′04″N 78°48′42″E / 10.2510°N 78.8116°E |
| 33 | Kadiapatti — 10°14′08″N 78°47′02″E / 10.2355°N 78.7838°E |
| 34 | Thenipatti — 10°08′29″N 78°51′36″E / 10.1415°N 78.8601°E |
[edit] Keela Vattagai
| # | Name |
|---|---|
| 35 | Devakottai — 9°57′02″N 78°49′06″E / 9.9505°N 78.8182°E |
| 36 | Thanichaoorani — 9°58′07″N 78°48′44″E / 9.9685°N 78.8121°E |
| 37 | Aravayal — 9°59′55″N 78°48′10″E / 9.9985°N 78.8027°E |
[edit] Mela pathoor Vattagai
| # | Name |
|---|---|
| 38 | Valayapatti |
| 39 | Kulipirai— 10°10′57″N 78°23′28″E / 10.1825°N 78.3912°E |
| 40 | Nachandupatti — 10°19′26″N 78°43′24″E / 10.323811°N 78.723305°E |
| 41 | Melachivalpuri |
| 42 | Koppanapatti |
| 43 | Rangiyam |
| 44 | Kuruvikondanpatti |
| 45 | V.Lakshmipuram |
| 46 | Ulagampatti |
| 47 | Pon. Pudupatti |
| 48 | Vendanpatti |
| 49 | Vegupatti |
| 50 | Virachilai — 10°17′49″N 78°42′18″E / 10.296922°N 78.705035°E |
| 51 | Panayapatti — 10°11′03″N 78°24′09″E / 10.1842°N 78.4025°E |
| 52 | Mithilaipatti |
[edit] Pathinaru Vattagai
| # | Name |
|---|---|
| 53 | Karaikudi |
| 54 | Kandanur |
| 55 | Kottaiyur |
| 56 | Uyikondan Siruvayal |
| 57 | Kothamangalam |
| 58 | Nemathanpatti |
| 59 | Ariyakudi |
| 60 | Amaravathiputhur |
| 61 | Managiri |
| 62 | Nachiapuram |
| 63 | Konapet |
| 64 | Athangudi Muthupattinam |
| 65 | Ramachandrapuram |
| 66 | Shanmuganathapuram |
| 67 | Pallathur |
| 68 | Puduvayal |
| 69 | Ko. Alagapuri |
| 70 | Kanadukathan |
| 71 | Ko. Lakshmipuram |
| 72 | Palavangudi |
| 73 | Chokalingamputhur — 10°09′00″N 78°44′44″E / 10.14999°N 78.745644°E |
| 74 | Kallal |
| 75 | Kallupatti |
| 76 | Siravayal |
| 77 | Athangudi |
| 78 | Viswanathapuram |
| 79 | Sivayogapuram |
| 80 | Karaikudi Muthupatinam |
[edit] Notable Nagarathars
The community has quite a huge number of star personalities. They excelled in a versatile set of fields right from Banking, Trading, Arts and film, Politics, Manufacturing, Education, Music and many more. An excerpt from the list is provided below:
- Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar, Founder and Pro-Chancellor of Annamalai University, the Rajah of Chettinad
- Dr. R. M. Alagappa Chettiar, Founder and Pro-Chancellor of Alagappa University
- P. Chidambaram, Union Minister of Home Affairs, Government of India.
- Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar, Pro-Chancellor of Annamalai University, Rajah of Chettinad,first Mayor of Madras City.
- M. A. Chidambaram Chettiar, former President of BCCI, Philanthropist (the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is named after him)
- A.C. Muthiah Chettiar,former President of BCCI, Philanthropist.
- K. Shanmugam, Minister for Law, Government of Singapore
- Dr.M.A.M. Ramaswamy Chettiar, Pro-Chancellor of Annamalai University, Parliamentarian.
- Karumuttu Thiagarajan Chettiar, Founder Bank of Madura, Thiagarajar Group of Textile Mills and Educational Institutions
- Diwan Bahadur A.M.M. Murugappa Chettiar, founder of Murugappa Group.
- Justice AR.Lakshmanan Chettiar, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, Chairman of the Law Commission of India.
- Avichi Meiyappa Chettiar (AVM), founder of AVM Productions and Studios.
- S.A.P. Annamalai Chettiar, Chairman and Chief editor of the Tamil weekly Kumudam.
- Mr.Hari Sevugan Sr. Spokes person for Barack Obama, the US President
- Many tamil film industry recognized names such as Kavignar Kannadasan, directors Vasanth, Rama Narayanan,Kalaimamani S.P.Muthuraman, Karu. Palaniappan ,Chidambaram Manivannan and producer Panchu Arunachalam.
- Attangudi Sri.RM.Arumugam Chettiar(late)Philanthropist,Freedom fighter Banker in Burma
- Attangudi Sri.AR.Chockalingam(Late)Philanthropist,Retd Sr Manager Indian Bank
- Justice M.Chockalingam, Judge Madras High Court, Chennai.
(This is just a selected list of the notable personalities belonging to the Nagarathar community)
[edit] See also
Karaikudi Shri PL.T.RM.T.RM.Thenappa Chettiar (late) - Freedom Fighter
[edit] See also
Justice M.Chockalingam, Judge Madras High Court, Chennai.
[edit] References
- Rajeswary Brown. (1993). Chettiar capital and Southeast Asian credit networks in the inter-war period. In G. Austin and K. Sugihara, eds. Local Suppliers of Credit in the Third World, 1750-1960. New York: St. Martin's Press.
- David Rudner. (1989). "Banker's Trust and the culture of banking among the Nattukottai Chettiars of colonial South India". Modern Asian Studies 23(3), 417-458.
- Heiko Schrader. (1996). "Chettiar finance in Colonial Asia". Zeitschrift fur Ethnologie 121, 101-126.
- Nagarathar Kalaikalangiyam by Meyappa Chettiar
- The Chettiar Heritage Book
- Nishimura, Yuko Gender. (1998). Kinship and Property Rights: Nagarathar Womanhood in South India. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195642732.
[edit] External links
- Nagarathar Association Website
- World's first and unique nagarathar community portal
- First ever Tamil website in the name of Chettinad village Kuruvikondanpatti
- First Nagarathar Portal
- Caste and Capitalism in Colonial India: The Nattukottai Chettiars, A Research by David W. Rudner submitted to University of California
- Nagarathar History Researched and Compiled by PL. Chidambaram
- PDF FILE - Chettiars in Burma by Sean Turnell a research paper
- History of a trading community by "The Hindu" Dt 06/08/2002
- Rituals & Customs - Tamil Chettiar on Shaadi online
- Australia Nagarathar Sangam
- London Nagarathar Sangam
- Nagarathar Chettinad Villa Gallery
