Kadaiyar
Kadaiyar (also spelled Kadayar) is a Tamil caste found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.[1] They are also known as Kadaisiyar.[2]
Etymology
Kadaiyar is derived from the Tamil word kaṭai meaning "low" or "least" and the honorific suffix -yar denoting people.[3] The name might also be derived from kaṭai meaning "to mash" or "to grind" in reference to their traditional occupation as lime burners.[4] In colonial records are they known as Kaddeas, a corruption of Kadaiyars.[5]
History
The Kadaiyars belong traditionally to the Marutham Sangam landscape.[2] They are mentioned in Puram as involved in agriculture.[6]
They were one of the earliest Tamils to convert to Roman Catholicism along with the Paravars under Francis Xavier.[7]
See also
References
- ^ Nyrop, Richard F.; Studies, American University (Washington, D. C. ) Foreign Area; Army, United States Dept of the (1986). Sri Lanka, a country study. Headquarters, Dept. of the Army. p. 108.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Ramaswamy, Vijaya (2017-08-25). Historical Dictionary of the Tamils. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 371. ISBN 9781538106860.
- ^ "கடையர் | அகராதி | Tamil Dictionary". agarathi.com. University of Madras Lexicon. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
- ^ McGilvray, Dennis B. (2008-05-07). Crucible of Conflict: Tamil and Muslim Society on the East Coast of Sri Lanka. Duke University Press. p. 371. ISBN 0822341611.
- ^ Indian Antiquary. Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. 1971. p. 229.
- ^ Sen, Sailendra Nath (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International. p. 207. ISBN 9788122411980.
- ^ Sivasubramaniam, K. (2009). Fisheries in Sri Lanka: anthropological and biological aspects. Kumaran Book House. p. 171. ISBN 9789556591460.