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Nagarathar

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Nagarathar
File:Nagarathar-colombo-chetty.jpg
Regions with significant populations
Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Burma
Languages
Tamil
Religion
Shaivism, Shaiva Siddhanta
Related ethnic groups
Tamil people, Dravidian people

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]

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.

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 tradtion of taking Siva Upathesham and for this purpose they have established two Mads.

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:

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

Nagarathar villages

The original 96 villages in which the Nagarathar lived are listed as follows:

Therkku Vattagai (South)

# Name
1 Nattarasankottai — 9°52′11″N 78°33′04″E / 9.8698°N 78.5512°E / 9.8698; 78.5512
2 Paganeri — 9°57′57″N 78°35′22″E / 9.9657°N 78.5895°E / 9.9657; 78.5895
3 Madagupatti — 9°59′11″N 78°32′12″E / 9.9863°N 78.5366°E / 9.9863; 78.5366
4 Okkur — 9°56′31″N 78°31′13″E / 9.9419°N 78.5203°E / 9.9419; 78.5203
5 Cholapuram — 9°54′54″N 78°30′05″E / 9.9149°N 78.5013°E / 9.9149; 78.5013
6 Kalayarmangalam — 9°54′17″N 78°31′31″E / 9.9046°N 78.5253°E / 9.9046; 78.5253
7 Kandramanickam — 10°02′47″N 78°37′58″E / 10.0463°N 78.6327°E / 10.0463; 78.6327
8 Vettriyur — 9°54′31″N 78°40′26″E / 9.9086°N 78.6740°E / 9.9086; 78.6740
9 Natarajapuram — 9°55′20″N 78°36′28″E / 9.9222°N 78.6079°E / 9.9222; 78.6079
10 Pattamangalam — 10°02′43″N 78°36′37″E / 10.0453°N 78.6104°E / 10.0453; 78.6104
11 Kollangudi Alagapuri — 9°51′30″N 78°35′25″E / 9.8584°N 78.5903°E / 9.8584; 78.5903
12 Chokkanathapuram — 10°00′33″N 78°35′07″E / 10.0091°N 78.5854°E / 10.0091; 78.5854
13 Alavaakkottai — 10°00′12″N 78°31′01″E / 10.0033°N 78.5169°E / 10.0033; 78.5169
14 Keela Poongudi — 9°57′39″N 78°30′35″E / 9.9609°N 78.5097°E / 9.9609; 78.5097
15 Sakkandhi — 9°51′49″N 78°27′35″E / 9.8635°N 78.4598°E / 9.8635; 78.4598
16 Karungulam — 10°01′30″N 78°36′18″E / 10.0251°N 78.6050°E / 10.0251; 78.6050
17 Aranmanai Siruvayal — 9°57′25″N 78°39′23″E / 9.9570°N 78.6565°E / 9.9570; 78.6565
18 Panangudi — 9°55′58″N 78°36′49″E / 9.9327°N 78.6137°E / 9.9327; 78.6137
19 Sembanoor — 9°59′34″N 78°38′38″E / 9.9929°N 78.6440°E / 9.9929; 78.6440

Mela Vattagai

# Name
20 Kilasivalpatti — 10°10′58″N 78°40′15″E / 10.1827°N 78.6707°E / 10.1827; 78.6707
21 P. Alagapuri
22 Kandavarayanpatti — 9°52′11″N 78°33′04″E / 9.8698°N 78.5512°E / 9.8698; 78.5512
23 Pulangkurichi — 10°16′11″N 78°35′28″E / 10.2698°N 78.5912°E / 10.2698; 78.5912
24 Aavinipatti — 10°12′36″N 78°39′42″E / 10.2099°N 78.6618°E / 10.2099; 78.6618
25 Mahibalanpatti — 10°11′58″N 78°33′48″E / 10.1995°N 78.5632°E / 10.1995; 78.5632
26 Viramathi — 10°10′29″N 78°39′44″E / 10.1748°N 78.6621°E / 10.1748; 78.6621
27 Nerkkupai — 10°14′36″N 78°31′34″E / 10.2433°N 78.5262°E / 10.2433; 78.5262
28 Sirukudalpatti — 10°08′34″N 78°38′54″E / 10.1427°N 78.6483°E / 10.1427; 78.6483
29 A. Thekkalur — 10°11′55″N 78°30′33″E / 10.1986°N 78.5092°E / 10.1986; 78.5092
30 Sevoor — 10°15′35″N 78°35′53″E / 10.2596°N 78.5981°E / 10.2596; 78.5981

Keela pathoor Vattagai

# Name
31 Arimalam — 10°15′05″N 78°53′19″E / 10.2513°N 78.8885°E / 10.2513; 78.8885
32 Rayavaram — 10°15′04″N 78°48′42″E / 10.2510°N 78.8116°E / 10.2510; 78.8116
33 Kadiapatti — 10°14′08″N 78°47′02″E / 10.2355°N 78.7838°E / 10.2355; 78.7838
34 Thenipatti — 10°08′29″N 78°51′36″E / 10.1415°N 78.8601°E / 10.1415; 78.8601

Keela Vattagai

# Name
35 Devakottai — 9°57′02″N 78°49′06″E / 9.9505°N 78.8182°E / 9.9505; 78.8182
36 Thanichaoorani — 9°58′07″N 78°48′44″E / 9.9685°N 78.8121°E / 9.9685; 78.8121
37 Aravayal — 9°59′55″N 78°48′10″E / 9.9985°N 78.8027°E / 9.9985; 78.8027

Mela pathoor Vattagai

# Name
38 Valayapatti
39 Kulipirai
40 Nachandupatti — 10°19′26″N 78°43′24″E / 10.323811°N 78.723305°E / 10.323811; 78.723305
41 Melachivalpuri
42 Kopanapatti
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 / 10.296922; 78.705035
51 Panayapatti
52 Mithilaipatti

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 / 10.14999; 78.745644
74 Kallal
75 Kallupatti
76 Siravayal
77 Athangudi
78 Viswanathapuram
79 Sivayogapuram
80 Karaikudi Muthupatinam

Notable Nagarathars

Some notable members of the Nagarathar community include:

  • Dr. Alagappa Chettiar, Philanthropist, Industrialist,Educationalist, Founder and Pro-Chancellor of Alagappa University
  • Karumuttu Thiagarajan Chettiar, Founder Bank of Madura, Thiagarajar Group of Textile Mills and Educational Institutions, Tamil Journalist and Editor, Philanthropher, Architect par Excellence
  • Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar, Founder and Pro-Chancellor of Annamalai University, Philanthropist,Educationalist and the Rajah of Chettinad
  • Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar, Rajah of Chettinad, Pro-Chancellor of Annamalai University, philanthropist, patron of the Arts, industrialist, and first Mayor of Madras City.
  • Rani Lady Meyyamami Achi, Rani of Chettinad, patron of the Arts and charities.
  • M. A. Chidambaram Chettiar, philanthropist, industrialist, and former President of BCCI (the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is named after him)
  • A.C. Muthiah Chettiar, industrialist, philanthropist, former President of BCCI.
  • Justice AR.Lakshmanan Chettiar, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, Chairman of the Law Commission of India.
  • Dr.M.A.M. Ramaswamy Chettiar, Industrialist, Philanthropist, Pro-Chancellor of Annamalai University, Patron of the Arts, and Parliamentarian.
  • V.RM.Letchumanan Chettiar of Valayapatti,Philanthropist, famously called as "English Lena" by the Rajah of Pudukottai for his translation skills,President of Ceylon Congress,EX-MLC of Pudukottai,Industrialist,Founder of "Namanasamudra textiles,Pico Garage,Valampuri Vaduganathan Higher Secondary School and Alarmelu Girls school",Ponnamaravathy,First person to bring "Electricity" to Pudukottai District.
  • Diwan Bahadur A.M.M. Murugappa Chettiar, philanthropist,Industrialist and founder of Murugappa Group.
  • L.Narayanan Chettiar, Founder Saraswathi Narayanan College, Visalakshi Group of Textile Mills, Indusrialist and Philanthropist
  • Devakottai Tamil Vallal O.Rm.M.Sp.Sv.Meyyappa Chettiar,philanthropist,Strong Tamil supporter, Director Indian Overseas Bank, industrialist - Director Sivakami Mills, Premier Fertilisers
  • O.Rm.M.Sp.Sv.Annamalai Chettiar, Director Bank of Madura, Thiagarajar Group of Textile Mills, Madras Cements and Educational Institution "Sevugan Annamalai College", Philanthropher
  • Kavignar Kannadasan, noted poet.
  • Kalaimamani "Kathal" Aru .Ramanathan Chettiar of Kandanur, novelist, wrote Raja Raja Cholan Drama and Veerapandiyan Manaivi; publisher, Prema Pirasuram; Chief Editor of the magazines Kathal, Marma Kathai, and Kalaimani.
  • A.V. Meiyyappa Chettiar, philanthropist, industrialist, founder of AVM Productions and Studios.
  • A.Subramanian Chettiar, industrialist, Anglo French Textiles.
  • Rama. Thiyagarajan of Rayavaram, publisher and editor of the Tamil magazines Papa (for children) and Thirai Oli(cinema). Kavignan Kannadhasan worked in his Thirai Oli, Cine Magazine in Rayavaram.
  • P.Chidambaram, Home Minister, Government of India. (Ex-Finance Minister)
  • S. Regupathy, Minister of State, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India
  • Kuzhanthai Kavignar Azha Valliappa, poet.
  • Tamizhvanan, popular writer and the editor of the Tamil magazine, Kalkandu.
  • Vai. Govindan, publisher of Sakthi, a periodical.
  • S.A.P. Annamalai Chettiar, Chairman and Chief editor of the Tamil weekly Kumudam.
  • Vasanth, Tamil film director who has directed over 25 films.
  • Rama Narayanan, Tamil film director who has directed famed films like 'aadi velli'
  • "Panchu" Arunachalam, Famous Cine Producer (P.A Arts) and Story Writer
  • Karu.Palaniappan, Cinema Director (Parthipan Kanavu,Pirivom Santhipom etc.,)
  • S.P.Muthuraman,Cine Director, directed as many as 27 Rajnikanth films (including Priya,Netri Kan,Mr.Bharath,Dharmathin Thalaivan,Pandian)
  • Sa.Meyyapan, Vetri Guides, Manikavasagar Publications
  • Sri Chockalingam, High Court Judge, Chennai
  • Sri S.S.Meenakshi Sundarm who presided over "coffe board" at Bangalore, then the "Milk Board", later served as Prime Ministe's office during Shri.Deve Gowda's tenure.
  • Mr.Hari Sevugan of Devakottai the Sr. Spokes person for Barack Obama, the US President, National Press Secretary and Head of rapid response team at Demacratic National Party, USA
  • Seenu Mohan - Noted Stage Dramtist and Film and Television actor
  • Subramanian Chettiar of Lakshmi seeval Thanjavur, Educationist, Businessman and Chairman of Devakottai Local Government

( Dear Fellow Nagarathar, please add only noted persons, otherwise it will reduce importance. Do not add the persons just in seniority by profession / Job. Add Founders, philanthropist, Editors, Writers, Publishers, Artist & Most influential persons in the community )

See also

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.
  • Nishimura, Yuko Gender. (1998). Kinship and Property Rights: Nagarathar Womanhood in South India. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195642732.
  1. ^ Gender, Kinship and Property Rights: Nagarathar Womanhood in South India by Yuko Nishimura. Retrieved February 4, 2007.
  2. ^ citation needed
  3. ^ Karpaka Vinayakar Temple at Pillayarpatti. Retrieved February 2, 2007.
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