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'''Iyengar''' (or '''Aiyangar''') is the name of an illustrious community of [[Brahmin]]s of South [[India]] whose members profess the [[Visishtadvaita]] philosophy codified by [[Ramanuja]]. The word ''Iyengar'' ([[Anglicisation|Anglicised]] from the Tamil ஐயங்கார்(Aiyaṅkār)) means "people entrusted with five tasks", referring to the five duties that traditional Iyengars perform (see [http://www.ahobilamutt.org/samas.html]). The most common spelling is "Iyengar", but "Aiyangar" is the phonetically correct spelling.
'''Iyengar''' (or '''Aiyangar''') is the name of an illustrious community of [[Brahmin]]s of South [[India]] whose members profess the [[Visishtadvaita]] philosophy codified by [[Ramanuja]]. The word ''Iyengar'' ([[Anglicisation|Anglicised]] from the Tamil ஐயங்கார்(Aiyaṅkār)) means "people entrusted with five tasks", referring to the five duties that traditional Iyengars perform (see [http://www.ahobilamutt.org/samas.html]). The most common spelling is "Iyengar", but "Aiyangar" is the phonetically correct spelling.


Although most Iyengars speak [[Tamil language|Tamil]], there are also large numbers of [[Kannada language|Kannada]] speaking Iyengars in southern [[Karnataka]] (popularly known as ''[[Hebbar]] Iyengars''), as well as smaller numbers of [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-speakers in southern [[Andhra Pradesh]]. Iyengars are primarily Vaishnavites, and as is the case with the majority of Brahmins, are also vegetarians. Today, Iyengars are taxonomised into two sub-communities of [[Thenkalai]] and [[Vadakalai]] based on the different stresses in religious literature. The [[Thenkalai]] community ascribes more importance to the [[Tamil]] works while the [[Vadakalai]] community deems the Vedas, written in [[Sanskrit]] to be more important.
Although most Iyengars speak [[Tamil language|Tamil]], there are also large numbers of [[Kannada language|Kannada]] speaking Iyengars in southern [[Karnataka]] (popularly known as ''[[Hebbar]], [[Mandyam]], [[Hemige]]Iyengars''), as well as smaller numbers of [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-speakers in southern [[Andhra Pradesh]]. Iyengars are primarily Vaishnavites, and as is the case with the majority of Brahmins, are also vegetarians. Today, Iyengars are taxonomised into two sub-communities of [[Thenkalai]] and [[Vadakalai]] based on the different stresses in religious literature. The [[Thenkalai]] community ascribes more importance to the [[Tamil]] works while the [[Vadakalai]] community deems the Vedas, written in [[Sanskrit]] to be more important.


== Religion ==
== Religion ==

Revision as of 20:12, 17 March 2005

Iyengar (or Aiyangar) is the name of an illustrious community of Brahmins of South India whose members profess the Visishtadvaita philosophy codified by Ramanuja. The word Iyengar (Anglicised from the Tamil ஐயங்கார்(Aiyaṅkār)) means "people entrusted with five tasks", referring to the five duties that traditional Iyengars perform (see [1]). The most common spelling is "Iyengar", but "Aiyangar" is the phonetically correct spelling.

Although most Iyengars speak Tamil, there are also large numbers of Kannada speaking Iyengars in southern Karnataka (popularly known as Hebbar, Mandyam, HemigeIyengars), as well as smaller numbers of Telugu-speakers in southern Andhra Pradesh. Iyengars are primarily Vaishnavites, and as is the case with the majority of Brahmins, are also vegetarians. Today, Iyengars are taxonomised into two sub-communities of Thenkalai and Vadakalai based on the different stresses in religious literature. The Thenkalai community ascribes more importance to the Tamil works while the Vadakalai community deems the Vedas, written in Sanskrit to be more important.

Religion

Iyengars follow Visishtadvaita, a system of thought embodied by the Vedanta, the philosophical portion of the Vedas, India's ancient scriptures. The central idea of Visishtadvaita is this: there exists an Ultimate Principle, an Absolute Being that is the source and substratum of all that exists. This immanent spirit is the inner guide and controller of the whole universe with all its diverse animate and inanimate elements. Communion with this gracious, omnipotent Supreme Being constitutes the supreme end of existence. Such communion is attainable exclusively through self-surrender and undivided, loving meditation.

The priests at Tirupati Balaji temple,the most famous and important of Hindu Temples are Iyengars.There are 108 Vishnavite sites which are very important to the Iyengars and called 108 Tirupati.

Origins

According to the migratory view, many members of the Brahmin community, originally based in the Northern part of India, migrated to the rich kingdoms in the South, particularly that of the Cholas in the Tamil country, in the first millennium AD. This migration was in response to the invitations of the powerful rulers who needed them to perform the various rituals, specifically yajnas, that would help secure and extend their power. In return for their services, the Brahmins were given agricultural land, entire villages and other gifts. The Iyers diversified into agriculture and other trades. There was thus a consolidation of both wealth and education in the Iyengars and the Chola territory of Thanjavur, a fertile land watered by the Cauvery River, became their home.

The migration to the South features in legends of the sage Agastya; once the Vindhya mountain range in central India continued to grow higher and higher showing its might. Sage Agastya, sent to control it, asked it to stop growing until he returned from his sojourn in the South. The Vindhya bowed its head to Agastya and promised to comply with his request. Agastya never returned and the Vindhyas never grew further.

All the Iyengars trace their origin to one of the eight major rishis or sages. Iyengars classify themselves under different Gotras, those of the same Gotra share common ancestors. Thus in the Iyengar community, marriage among people of the same Gotra is prohibited. This is generally cited as an example of scientific practices followed even in the distant past. The superiority/inferiority of the various gotras and subgroups with reference to each other and their stereotyping is the subject of many debates, often amusing to the current generation. Iyengars today are found all over the world and are a very over acheiving community for their population.


Iyengars Today

In addition to their earlier occupations, Iyengars today have diversified into a variety of fields—their strengths particularly evident in the fields of law,mass media, science, engineering, mathematics and computer science. A minuscule percentage of Iyengars today choose to pursue the vocation of priesthood. Iyengars have been active in the cultural field too. Music has always been integral to the Iyengar community; Carnatic music forms a sacred tradition including within its fold, apart from vocal music, instruments such as mridangam, naadaswaram, veena, ghatam, etc., Bharatanatyam. Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam together enjoy a rich patronage during the Chennai cultural season in the months of December and January.

Iyengar

Classification: Ethnic group/ Caste/Community of South India
Total population: 2004: (approx) 1,000,000 (roughly 1% of Tamilians)
Significant populations in: Chennai: XXXX

Thanjavur: XXXX
Mayavaram: XXXX

Palghat: XXXX
Language Mother tongue is Tamil with unique Iyengar accent and dialect. Knowledge in Sanskrit for religious/traditional reasons.
Related ethnic groups Brahmin

  Iyer
  Iyengar

  • Tengalai
  • Vadakalai

Some Famous Iyengars

The following were all born Iyengars

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