Nattukottai Nagarathar
Encyclopedia
The Nattukottai Nagarathars (also known as Nattukottai Chettiar Tamil
:நாட்டுக்கோட்டைச் செட்டியார்) is a community under Chettiar
caste in Shaivism
that originated in Kaveripoompattinam under the Chola kingdom of India
. They are a prominent mercantile (Vaishya
, Tamil
: வைசியர்) caste in Tamil Nadu, South India. They are a community with very rich cultural heritage, known for their philanthropy; building temples and schools, and maintaining them throughout India and Asia.
In 1911, Pandithamani Kathiresan Chettiar wrote a book called "Nattukottai Nagarathar Seerthirutham" (changes) and in 1919 Chockalinga Ayya of Karaikudi wrote a book called "Nattukottai Nagarathar Marabu Valakkam" (description of their ways). Both wrote separate books on Nagarathar history. In 1953, the compilation by A.Ramanathan Chettiar of Vayinagaram and the edition of that by Pandithamani was called "Nattukottai Varalaru" (history). In 1970 A.Shesadiri of Varagur wrote "Nattukottai Nagarathar Varalaru", which came out in the form of a book.
After this many researchers on Nagarathars have written many research essays on their past history. Certain notable essays are those written by Kamban Adipodi Sa. Ganesan, Dr.V.SP.Manickanar, Dr.SP.Annamalai and Dr.T.Chockalingam. Based on the above we can classify the old history of the Nagarathars as below: .
s lived in Sandhyapuri of the Sambu Islands in Naganadu. This borders the present state of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. They were of Chandrakula Gothiram. Later they embraced Saivism. There is actually a question over when the Nagarathars joined Saivism and when they would renounce Saivism? "When the sun and the moon were born on this earth the Nagarathars became Saivaites and when they are no more they would renounce Saivism." v According to Pandit Kathiresan Chettiar. At that time they were saivaites, praying to Maragatha Vinayagar, doing trade in precious stones and having the equal respect like the king. Naganadu is near Andhra. Later, an earthquake, according to Dr. V.SP.Manickanar destroyed this Naganadu.
During the Kaliyuga year 204 (2897 BC) the Vaishya
s could not bear the harassment of the Naga king and they came down to Thondaimandalam, namely Kanchipuram. At Kanchipuram the king welcomed them with a warm heart and royalty. He gave them land to build temples and mutts, They continued their devotion towards Maragatha Vinayagar and continued their trade with gems till the Kaliyuga year 2311 (790 BC) and lived happily.
During the Kaliyuga year 2312 (789 BC), Prathaparasa the king who ruled Kanchipuram imposed unjustified severe fines and punishments. Hence, the Vaishya
s from there went to Cholanadu. They settled along the banks of River Cauvery at Kaveripoompattinam. Manuneedhicholan, the king of that time requested the Vaishya
s to live in three streets, East, West and South streets. He gave the Vaishya
s three honorable rights. One was the coronation of the king, the second was to have an independent lion flag of their own and the third was to have golden kalasams in the bungalows they lived in. When they got these rights the Nagarathars were called " Rathina Maguda Thanavaisyar". They continued their prayers towards Maragatha Vinayagar.
In the Kaliyuga year 3775 (674 AD) Poovanthicholan who was ruling at that time harassed and imprisoned all the womenfolk. Hence, the 8000 Vaishya
s leaving behind all their assets, 1502 boys and the Maragatha Vinayagar under the custody of their guru Atmananda Sastri to do pooja and look after, they all committed suicide. The guru Atmananda Sastri taught them the five-letter panchatara mantra for upadesam, till to this date they remember it with the help of the Patharakkudi Madam.
In the Kaliyuga year 3784 (683 AD) the old aged Poovanthicholan requested the Vaishya
s youngsters to do the coronation ceremony for his son Rajaboosanacholan. The youngsters said that they were incapable of doing the coronation since they were all bachelors and there were no eligible girls in the community to get married to. The king consulted with Esana sivachariar and pronounced that Vaishya
s can marry Vellala caste girls. The Vaishya
s youngsters said that they would marry the girls from the Vellala caste, but they would not marry their girls by birth to the Vellala caste. The king requested the Vellala community to accept this. The Vellala community accepted on the condition that their community guru would perform the dhikshai for their girls and the girls born to them. The East Street, which was divided into seven branches, had 502 Vaishya
s youngsters married to Solliya Vellala girls. For these girls their guru was Alagiya Gurukkal from Srivanjiyam.
traders. The Chola king called for the Rathanamaguda Vaishya
s and requested a few to go. At that time they stated that wherever they go the three streets would go together and live, and not live separately. On hearing this, the Chola king asked everyone to go to the Pandya kingdom. The Pandya king assured the Vaishya
s, that he would give them a place to live, land to build temples and mutts, and took them along with him.
Soundarapandian gave land demarcated, West of the sea, East of Pranmalai, North of River Vaigai and South of River Vellar (present Chettinadu), to live, build temples and mutts. The Pandya king gave Ariyur town and Pranmalai temple, Sundarapatinam and its temple and Ellayatrankudi and its temple.
The three streets Vaishya
youngsters could not live together for long because of difference of opinion created since they married Vellala girls of different - different groups. Hence therefore, those who lived in the West street in six branches at Kaveripoompatinam were given Ariyur and Pranmalai temple, South street in four branches were given Sundarapattinam and its temple, East street by seven branches were given Ellayatrankudi and its temple. The Maragatha Vinayagar was under the custody of Ariyur. They agreed upon the rituals and prayers to be common. After this the six branched were called Ariyurar, four branched as Sundarathar and the seven branched as Ellayatrankudi Nagarathar also Nattukottai Nagarathar.
As the days went by there was difference opinion amongst the Ellayatrankudiyars' and they separated branch wise and met Soundarapandian and requested for different temples. Pandian agreed, the temples given were Mathur, Vairavanpatti (712 AD) Iraniyur, Pillaiyarpatti, Nemankovil, Ellupakkudi (714 AD) and Soorakkudi, Velangudi (718 AD). Henceforth the creation of the nine temples took place. When the population increased there were many branches with in the temples. This is the only community in the world to be divided on the basis of Sivan temples.
During the Kaliyuga year 4262 (1161 AD) Nemankovil's Arunachalam son of Ellanalamudaiyan Muthuveerappa Chetty of Manickam Street, Velangudi at Poongkondrai's five year old daughter, Muthumeenal was taken to the capital by Karunyapandian in the chariot when he as hunting over there. The Nagarathars on knowing this grouped together and decided that the girl should get justice according to the caste practise and the met the Pandya king and asked him to release the girl. The Pandya king said that if had known it was their girl he would not have brought the girl over to the capital. He said that, he had heard that if he handed over the girl, the girl would be killed. He also said that if at all he heard that the girl was killed, they would have to pay eight heads and eight hundred sovereigns of gold and he handed the girl.
The Nagarathars took leave of the king and killed the girl on the way according to the caste regulations. Then they prepared themselves for the punishment ordered by the king. For the seven branches seven heads were ready and there was a question mark over the one remaining head. At that time among the seven branches, Ellayatrankudi, Eraniyur and Pillaiyarpatti were as one branch though they had different temples, it was decided that this branch give an extra head. Henceforth Okkurudayar a branch of Ellayatrankudi came forward to give the extra head. The condition put was that they get the first honour in the temples and mutts including the Viputhi. The Nagarathars accepted. Later they went to the king and stated that they have brought the eight heads and eight hundred sovereigns of gold. The king was so depressed and said, the sin of killing one girl itself is enough, you don't have to give anything and you can go. The Nagarathar's returned back.
During the Kaliyuga year 4389 (1288 AD) there was trouble and Ariyurpattinam was demolished. The sixty-four Vaishya
families that stayed there escaped to the Malayala kingdom (Kerela) and started living near the River Korattar. They built a temple for Maragatha Vinayagar and continued the prayers.
During Kaliyuga year 4644 (1543 AD) there was trouble at Nattarasankottai due to robbers and they raped some Nagarathar women. Nagarathars met their Gurus' and requested them to give permission according to their custom to kill them. The gurus did not accept. On the insistence of the Nagarathars the gurus accepted and went to Kasi to have a holy dip in the Ganges.
Nirambia Alagiya Gurukkal alone returned to Thulavur after three years. The Kala mutt guru did not even return after twelve years. Hence some of the Nagarathars went to Ramanathasamy of Thirupunavayil to get upadesam. After twenty-one years during the kaliyuga year 4665 (1564 AD), the guru of Kala mutt came and joined. The Nagarathars met him and explained the happenings. The guru said that those who got dhikshai from Ramanathasamy belonged to Vamisa, henceforth they and their generation have got to get dhikshai from Vamisa generations and gave a mutt at Patharakudi, which is also known as Ellanjeripattinam at Kanakapuram. From then on Nagarathar men had Kala mutt and Patharakudi mutt; the women had Thulavur mutt, which were the three Gurukalams.
As the days went by, Kala mutt and Patharakudi mutt merged together and now Patharkudi mutt is the Gurupeedam (Guru seat) for Nagarathar men.
As days passed by the Nagarathar families which lived around the places of the temple spread to various places. It is described that they lived in ninety-six villages and now they live only in seventy-five places.
Reference : http://nagaratharikkiyasangam.org/aboutnagarathar-more.htm ( by Kasivis)
The Vaishyas are basically traders. The Vasihya Nattukkottai Chettiars are rich, simple and have accumulated wealth and possessions for the forthcoming generations. They are broad-minded in thinking.
Silapathikaram, a book written by Ilango Adigal
, states that the main character in the book "Kovalan" is a Chettiar. Salt trade was famous during the Pandya regime. After going to many places to do business finally they would converge at Palani during the festival of Thaipoosam and write "Magamai". Magamai is an annual tax paid to the god. According to the capital invested or profit got a percentage is calculated and the magamai is derived. Here they set right their accounts and look at their profits and accordingly write their magamai. Later they give free food to all, called "Annadhanam" (rice gift). This can be seen in Palani on a stone engraving, where it states that Kuppan Chetty's son Kumarappa Chetty of Nemam Kovil was the first to do salt trade at Palani with the help of Deivanayaga Pandaram. Usually all Saivaites strictly follow the rules beneath i.e.;
The Temples and Divisions are as follows:
s, predominantly originating in the Chettinad
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
, Burma, 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 school
s and maintaining them throughout Asia
. A married Nagarathar lady is usually addressed as 'Achi' with respect.
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 Burma, 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 Nagarathar became the custodians of the temple during the 13th century, in its second growth phase. 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). Buddhist and Jainist links must be analysed.
'Pattinathar' - a saint, who is believed to be a Nagarathar and was a trader before leaving the worldly pleasures.
The Koviloor Math, established at Koviloor (a divinely-charged sacred place near Karaikudi
), has an eventful and vibrant history of 200 years, right from its founder Sri-La-Sri Muthuramalinga Gnana Desikar - a saint, popularly known as 'Koviloor Andavar'. This math (monastery
) is reverved by the Nagarathars. The Koviloor Math highly deserves the merit of being called the First School of systematic Vedantic Studies through the medium of Tamil. Many students learnt Vedanta here without any discrimination.
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:
and many more.
Vegetarian main courses:
Some popular non-vegetarian dishes include:
Please find Chettinad Recipes here. Classic Chettinad Kitchen
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’.
decide upon a common day discussing with the astrolgers for the marriage
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.
Both the samandhis dip their tip of their attire in a turmeric water.
Before they used to take bath but in modern days a formality for the ritual they dip in the turmeric water
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.
E.g.
Palaniyappan known as "Pa"na "La"na when written as initial becomes "Pala" in Tamil and PL in English.
Ramanaathan known as "Ra"na "Ma"na when written as initial becomes "Rama" in Tamil and RM in English.
Chithambaram known as "Chi"na "Tha"na when written as initial becomes "Chitha" in Tamil and CT in English.
Arunachalam known as "A"na "Ru"na when written as initial becomes "Aru" in Tamil and AR in English.
Alagappan known as "A"na "La"na when written as initial becomes "Ala" in Tamil and AL in English.
... and so on.
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 such ceremony 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:
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.
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.
The vast extent of Nagarathar assets and holdings in Burma were not realized till that point. The Burma Provincial Banking Enquiry Committee (BPBEC) of 1930 and other records indicate that 1498 Nagarathar Family Firms owned a total of three million acres (12,000 km²) of Burmese paddy fields. This was roughly one third of all the arable land in Burma! The BPBEC also showed that Nagarathar assets had climbed from Rs. 100 million in 1896 to Rs. 1.3 billion in 1930.
Throughout their financial history, the strength of the Nagarathars had been their liquid assets and their ability to efficiently transfer their wealth back to India. However, in 1930, most of their assets were tied up in land holdings in lower Burma. They still owed a considerable amount of money to British banks and the Imperial Bank of India. These banks in India began to pressurise the Nagarathars for returning of loaned capital. In the midst of the depression, the Nagarathars were unable to dispose of their Burma land holdings. Further, there were major geopolitical changes, with the impending fall of the British empire and the looming second world war and then Burmese freedom. With their assets overseas no longer liquid, the Nagarathars could not repatriate funds to pay off the British bank loans in India. The Nagarathars were helpless and many prominent, wealthy Nagarathar families were forced to sell their assets in Chettinad and many became impoverished.The 1940s and 1950s made the chettiars to regain this situation and became extremely lavish and rich once again. Gold,Diamond,melad,Rubies,Coffee,Tea,Rubber,Loan system,Cars,Petrol,Oil,Spices are what the major trading options are for the chettiars for today. Even today a Chettiar is considered as someone high of money,aristocracy and respect in the society in nations like Singapore,USA,UK,Australia,Malaysia,Canada,Kuwait,France and Sri Lanka
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
:நாட்டுக்கோட்டைச் செட்டியார்) is a community under Chettiar
Chettiar
Chettiar , also spelled Chetty, is a title used by various castes in South India especially in Tamil Nadu. In Kannada, it appears as Setty, Shettar and Shettigar, who are Padmashalis in Andhra Pradesh....
caste in Shaivism
Shaivism
Shaivism is one of the four major sects of Hinduism, the others being Vaishnavism, Shaktism and Smartism. Followers of Shaivism, called "Shaivas," and also "Saivas" or "Saivites," revere Shiva as the Supreme Being. Shaivas believe that Shiva is All and in all, the creator, preserver, destroyer,...
that originated in Kaveripoompattinam under the Chola kingdom of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. They are a prominent mercantile (Vaishya
Vaishya
Vaishya is one of the four varnas of the Hindu social order. According to Vedic tradition, this caste primarily comprises merchants, farmers, cattle-herders and artisans.-Duties of Vaishyas:...
, Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
: வைசியர்) caste in Tamil Nadu, South India. They are a community with very rich cultural heritage, known for their philanthropy; building temples and schools, and maintaining them throughout India and Asia.
Origin and history
The first book on print to come out about Nagarathar history is in 1894 called "Thanavaisya Nattukottai Nagarathar". With the help of scriptures from Poongondrai Velangudi at Thulavoor Mutt, the book was requested and examined by VR.L.Chinniah Chettiar of Devakottai. The permission granted by eminent persons such as M.AL.AR. Ramanathan Chettiar and AL.AR.RM.Arunachalam Chettiar the edition were printed by Sadavadanam Subramania Iyer of Tanjore at the Desabimani Press at Tanjore. The second edition came in 1904.In 1911, Pandithamani Kathiresan Chettiar wrote a book called "Nattukottai Nagarathar Seerthirutham" (changes) and in 1919 Chockalinga Ayya of Karaikudi wrote a book called "Nattukottai Nagarathar Marabu Valakkam" (description of their ways). Both wrote separate books on Nagarathar history. In 1953, the compilation by A.Ramanathan Chettiar of Vayinagaram and the edition of that by Pandithamani was called "Nattukottai Varalaru" (history). In 1970 A.Shesadiri of Varagur wrote "Nattukottai Nagarathar Varalaru", which came out in the form of a book.
After this many researchers on Nagarathars have written many research essays on their past history. Certain notable essays are those written by Kamban Adipodi Sa. Ganesan, Dr.V.SP.Manickanar, Dr.SP.Annamalai and Dr.T.Chockalingam. Based on the above we can classify the old history of the Nagarathars as below: .
Legends
Initially the VaishyaVaishya
Vaishya is one of the four varnas of the Hindu social order. According to Vedic tradition, this caste primarily comprises merchants, farmers, cattle-herders and artisans.-Duties of Vaishyas:...
s lived in Sandhyapuri of the Sambu Islands in Naganadu. This borders the present state of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. They were of Chandrakula Gothiram. Later they embraced Saivism. There is actually a question over when the Nagarathars joined Saivism and when they would renounce Saivism? "When the sun and the moon were born on this earth the Nagarathars became Saivaites and when they are no more they would renounce Saivism." v According to Pandit Kathiresan Chettiar. At that time they were saivaites, praying to Maragatha Vinayagar, doing trade in precious stones and having the equal respect like the king. Naganadu is near Andhra. Later, an earthquake, according to Dr. V.SP.Manickanar destroyed this Naganadu.
During the Kaliyuga year 204 (2897 BC) the Vaishya
Vaishya
Vaishya is one of the four varnas of the Hindu social order. According to Vedic tradition, this caste primarily comprises merchants, farmers, cattle-herders and artisans.-Duties of Vaishyas:...
s could not bear the harassment of the Naga king and they came down to Thondaimandalam, namely Kanchipuram. At Kanchipuram the king welcomed them with a warm heart and royalty. He gave them land to build temples and mutts, They continued their devotion towards Maragatha Vinayagar and continued their trade with gems till the Kaliyuga year 2311 (790 BC) and lived happily.
During the Kaliyuga year 2312 (789 BC), Prathaparasa the king who ruled Kanchipuram imposed unjustified severe fines and punishments. Hence, the Vaishya
Vaishya
Vaishya is one of the four varnas of the Hindu social order. According to Vedic tradition, this caste primarily comprises merchants, farmers, cattle-herders and artisans.-Duties of Vaishyas:...
s from there went to Cholanadu. They settled along the banks of River Cauvery at Kaveripoompattinam. Manuneedhicholan, the king of that time requested the Vaishya
Vaishya
Vaishya is one of the four varnas of the Hindu social order. According to Vedic tradition, this caste primarily comprises merchants, farmers, cattle-herders and artisans.-Duties of Vaishyas:...
s to live in three streets, East, West and South streets. He gave the Vaishya
Vaishya
Vaishya is one of the four varnas of the Hindu social order. According to Vedic tradition, this caste primarily comprises merchants, farmers, cattle-herders and artisans.-Duties of Vaishyas:...
s three honorable rights. One was the coronation of the king, the second was to have an independent lion flag of their own and the third was to have golden kalasams in the bungalows they lived in. When they got these rights the Nagarathars were called " Rathina Maguda Thanavaisyar". They continued their prayers towards Maragatha Vinayagar.
In the Kaliyuga year 3775 (674 AD) Poovanthicholan who was ruling at that time harassed and imprisoned all the womenfolk. Hence, the 8000 Vaishya
Vaishya
Vaishya is one of the four varnas of the Hindu social order. According to Vedic tradition, this caste primarily comprises merchants, farmers, cattle-herders and artisans.-Duties of Vaishyas:...
s leaving behind all their assets, 1502 boys and the Maragatha Vinayagar under the custody of their guru Atmananda Sastri to do pooja and look after, they all committed suicide. The guru Atmananda Sastri taught them the five-letter panchatara mantra for upadesam, till to this date they remember it with the help of the Patharakkudi Madam.
In the Kaliyuga year 3784 (683 AD) the old aged Poovanthicholan requested the Vaishya
Vaishya
Vaishya is one of the four varnas of the Hindu social order. According to Vedic tradition, this caste primarily comprises merchants, farmers, cattle-herders and artisans.-Duties of Vaishyas:...
s youngsters to do the coronation ceremony for his son Rajaboosanacholan. The youngsters said that they were incapable of doing the coronation since they were all bachelors and there were no eligible girls in the community to get married to. The king consulted with Esana sivachariar and pronounced that Vaishya
Vaishya
Vaishya is one of the four varnas of the Hindu social order. According to Vedic tradition, this caste primarily comprises merchants, farmers, cattle-herders and artisans.-Duties of Vaishyas:...
s can marry Vellala caste girls. The Vaishya
Vaishya
Vaishya is one of the four varnas of the Hindu social order. According to Vedic tradition, this caste primarily comprises merchants, farmers, cattle-herders and artisans.-Duties of Vaishyas:...
s youngsters said that they would marry the girls from the Vellala caste, but they would not marry their girls by birth to the Vellala caste. The king requested the Vellala community to accept this. The Vellala community accepted on the condition that their community guru would perform the dhikshai for their girls and the girls born to them. The East Street, which was divided into seven branches, had 502 Vaishya
Vaishya
Vaishya is one of the four varnas of the Hindu social order. According to Vedic tradition, this caste primarily comprises merchants, farmers, cattle-herders and artisans.-Duties of Vaishyas:...
s youngsters married to Solliya Vellala girls. For these girls their guru was Alagiya Gurukkal from Srivanjiyam.
Middle Age (707 AD to 1565 AD)
During the Kaliyuga year of 3808 (707AD) Soundarapandian the Pandya king went to Chola kingdom and met Rajabooshanacholan. He stated that during Keerthibooshanapandian's period the sea came inside till Thirubhuvanam and washed away the whole area. After that, 18 successions of Pandya kings have ruled but there were no good families living there. He said that he his inviting some good families to set up a living. He requested for some good families and some VaishyaVaishya
Vaishya is one of the four varnas of the Hindu social order. According to Vedic tradition, this caste primarily comprises merchants, farmers, cattle-herders and artisans.-Duties of Vaishyas:...
traders. The Chola king called for the Rathanamaguda Vaishya
Vaishya
Vaishya is one of the four varnas of the Hindu social order. According to Vedic tradition, this caste primarily comprises merchants, farmers, cattle-herders and artisans.-Duties of Vaishyas:...
s and requested a few to go. At that time they stated that wherever they go the three streets would go together and live, and not live separately. On hearing this, the Chola king asked everyone to go to the Pandya kingdom. The Pandya king assured the Vaishya
Vaishya
Vaishya is one of the four varnas of the Hindu social order. According to Vedic tradition, this caste primarily comprises merchants, farmers, cattle-herders and artisans.-Duties of Vaishyas:...
s, that he would give them a place to live, land to build temples and mutts, and took them along with him.
Soundarapandian gave land demarcated, West of the sea, East of Pranmalai, North of River Vaigai and South of River Vellar (present Chettinadu), to live, build temples and mutts. The Pandya king gave Ariyur town and Pranmalai temple, Sundarapatinam and its temple and Ellayatrankudi and its temple.
The three streets Vaishya
Vaishya
Vaishya is one of the four varnas of the Hindu social order. According to Vedic tradition, this caste primarily comprises merchants, farmers, cattle-herders and artisans.-Duties of Vaishyas:...
youngsters could not live together for long because of difference of opinion created since they married Vellala girls of different - different groups. Hence therefore, those who lived in the West street in six branches at Kaveripoompatinam were given Ariyur and Pranmalai temple, South street in four branches were given Sundarapattinam and its temple, East street by seven branches were given Ellayatrankudi and its temple. The Maragatha Vinayagar was under the custody of Ariyur. They agreed upon the rituals and prayers to be common. After this the six branched were called Ariyurar, four branched as Sundarathar and the seven branched as Ellayatrankudi Nagarathar also Nattukottai Nagarathar.
As the days went by there was difference opinion amongst the Ellayatrankudiyars' and they separated branch wise and met Soundarapandian and requested for different temples. Pandian agreed, the temples given were Mathur, Vairavanpatti (712 AD) Iraniyur, Pillaiyarpatti, Nemankovil, Ellupakkudi (714 AD) and Soorakkudi, Velangudi (718 AD). Henceforth the creation of the nine temples took place. When the population increased there were many branches with in the temples. This is the only community in the world to be divided on the basis of Sivan temples.
During the Kaliyuga year 4262 (1161 AD) Nemankovil's Arunachalam son of Ellanalamudaiyan Muthuveerappa Chetty of Manickam Street, Velangudi at Poongkondrai's five year old daughter, Muthumeenal was taken to the capital by Karunyapandian in the chariot when he as hunting over there. The Nagarathars on knowing this grouped together and decided that the girl should get justice according to the caste practise and the met the Pandya king and asked him to release the girl. The Pandya king said that if had known it was their girl he would not have brought the girl over to the capital. He said that, he had heard that if he handed over the girl, the girl would be killed. He also said that if at all he heard that the girl was killed, they would have to pay eight heads and eight hundred sovereigns of gold and he handed the girl.
The Nagarathars took leave of the king and killed the girl on the way according to the caste regulations. Then they prepared themselves for the punishment ordered by the king. For the seven branches seven heads were ready and there was a question mark over the one remaining head. At that time among the seven branches, Ellayatrankudi, Eraniyur and Pillaiyarpatti were as one branch though they had different temples, it was decided that this branch give an extra head. Henceforth Okkurudayar a branch of Ellayatrankudi came forward to give the extra head. The condition put was that they get the first honour in the temples and mutts including the Viputhi. The Nagarathars accepted. Later they went to the king and stated that they have brought the eight heads and eight hundred sovereigns of gold. The king was so depressed and said, the sin of killing one girl itself is enough, you don't have to give anything and you can go. The Nagarathar's returned back.
During the Kaliyuga year 4389 (1288 AD) there was trouble and Ariyurpattinam was demolished. The sixty-four Vaishya
Vaishya
Vaishya is one of the four varnas of the Hindu social order. According to Vedic tradition, this caste primarily comprises merchants, farmers, cattle-herders and artisans.-Duties of Vaishyas:...
families that stayed there escaped to the Malayala kingdom (Kerela) and started living near the River Korattar. They built a temple for Maragatha Vinayagar and continued the prayers.
During Kaliyuga year 4644 (1543 AD) there was trouble at Nattarasankottai due to robbers and they raped some Nagarathar women. Nagarathars met their Gurus' and requested them to give permission according to their custom to kill them. The gurus did not accept. On the insistence of the Nagarathars the gurus accepted and went to Kasi to have a holy dip in the Ganges.
Nirambia Alagiya Gurukkal alone returned to Thulavur after three years. The Kala mutt guru did not even return after twelve years. Hence some of the Nagarathars went to Ramanathasamy of Thirupunavayil to get upadesam. After twenty-one years during the kaliyuga year 4665 (1564 AD), the guru of Kala mutt came and joined. The Nagarathars met him and explained the happenings. The guru said that those who got dhikshai from Ramanathasamy belonged to Vamisa, henceforth they and their generation have got to get dhikshai from Vamisa generations and gave a mutt at Patharakudi, which is also known as Ellanjeripattinam at Kanakapuram. From then on Nagarathar men had Kala mutt and Patharakudi mutt; the women had Thulavur mutt, which were the three Gurukalams.
Later History
In 1278 AD, Eranikovil and Pillaiyarpatti the two branches of Ellayatrankudi separated completely and decided to live as separate Pangaligals (brethrens). Till date the two temple branches have no marriage alliance among themselves (as brothers).As the days went by, Kala mutt and Patharakudi mutt merged together and now Patharkudi mutt is the Gurupeedam (Guru seat) for Nagarathar men.
As days passed by the Nagarathar families which lived around the places of the temple spread to various places. It is described that they lived in ninety-six villages and now they live only in seventy-five places.
Reference : http://nagaratharikkiyasangam.org/aboutnagarathar-more.htm ( by Kasivis)
The Vaishyas are basically traders. The Vasihya Nattukkottai Chettiars are rich, simple and have accumulated wealth and possessions for the forthcoming generations. They are broad-minded in thinking.
Silapathikaram, a book written by Ilango Adigal
Ilango Adigal
Ilango Adigal was a Tamil poet and a Jain monk, who was instrumental in the creation of Silappathikaram, one of the five great epics of Tamil Literature. Prince Ilango was the brother of Chera king Cheran Chenguttuvan , in South India. Ilango Adigal was born in the Chera dynasty that ruled parts...
, states that the main character in the book "Kovalan" is a Chettiar. Salt trade was famous during the Pandya regime. After going to many places to do business finally they would converge at Palani during the festival of Thaipoosam and write "Magamai". Magamai is an annual tax paid to the god. According to the capital invested or profit got a percentage is calculated and the magamai is derived. Here they set right their accounts and look at their profits and accordingly write their magamai. Later they give free food to all, called "Annadhanam" (rice gift). This can be seen in Palani on a stone engraving, where it states that Kuppan Chetty's son Kumarappa Chetty of Nemam Kovil was the first to do salt trade at Palani with the help of Deivanayaga Pandaram. Usually all Saivaites strictly follow the rules beneath i.e.;
| # | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pray to Lord Ganesha, Lord Siva and Lord Muruga. |
| 2 | No one should do anything during the stars of Karthigai and Thiruvathirai according to the Sastras. But the Nagarathars being ardent devotees of Lord Muruga and Lord Shiva they performed the Karthigai Padumai for their sons and Nataraja's Thiruvathirai for their daughters. The above went against all sastras. No other Saivaite community do these functions, hence these solely belongs to the Nagarathars. |
| 3 | The Nagarathars consider the viputhi as a sacred and holy item, (it is ash, got from burning). The womenfolk of the Nagarathar community put viputhi and the manjal kungumam on their forehead, while the others put manjal kungumam only. The viputhi is considered so sacred that during marriages the oldest lady of the house, even though she is a widower, holds a lamp on the left hand and puts viputhi on the groom and bride. When the Nagarathars travel anywhere they make it a point that they carry viputhi in a special bag called the "viputhi pai". During death also the Nagarathars place viputhi considering it to be a sacred item. |
| 4 | The Nagarathar community also have people ordained as Nayanmars among the 63 Nayanmars. Karaikal Ammaiyar a lady was ordained as a Nayanmar and was the first person to sing "Thirupathigams". Her Thirupathigams were called "Mootha Thirupathigam". Before Saint Appar Swamigal and Saint Thirugnanasambandhar Swamigal could sing thirupathigams the womenfolk of the Nagarathar community sang thirupathigams. Another person to be ordained as a Nayanmar is Eyarkai Nayanar. |
| 5 | Temples (Kovil) - The Nattukottai Chettiars are divided among themselves on the basis of temples called "Nagara Kovils" (Temples of Lord Shiva, since they are Saivaites). They are divided on the basis of nine temples that have many sub divisions. Marriages can take place among the various divisions. One cannot enter into an alliance with in the same division, but in some temples if the sub division is different then the marriage can take place. The temples are the places for the registering of marriages for the Nagarathars. On the day of the marriage or earlier, the bride's and the groom's side have to go their respective temples to register their marriage. The bride would renounce her temple and would be enrolled with the groom. They become a proclaimed member of the community and they are called as a "Pulli". The marriage becomes legally valid. On becoming a member, they start paying their annual subscription to the temple. On registering, the couples are blessed with the offerings from the respective temples. |
The Temples and Divisions are as follows:
| # | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ellayatrankudi God : Kailasanathar Goddess : Solnithya Kalyani Branches (PIRIVU) (7) Okkur udaiyar, Pattina samiyar, Peru marudhur udayar, Kazhni vasaka udayar, Kinkini udayar, Pera senthur udayar, Siru sethur udayar |
| 2 | Mathoor God : Innutreswarar Goddess : Periya nayaki Branches : (7) Uraiyur udayar, Arumbakoor udayar, Mannur udayar, Manalur udayar, Kannur udayar, Karuppur udayar, Kulathur udayar. |
| 3 | Nemam Kovil God : Jayang konda soleeswar Goddess : Soundara nayaki Branch : Ela nalam udayar |
| 4 | Eraniyur God : Aatkonda nathar Goddess : Sivapuri Devi Branch : Thiru vetpur udayar |
| 5 | Pillaiyarpatti God : Marudhueswar Goddess : Vadamalarmangai Branch : Thiruvetpur udayar |
| 6 | Ellupakudi God : Thanthodrieswarar Goddess : Soundaranayaki Branch : Soodamani puram udayar |
| 7 | Soorakudi God : Desika nathar Goddess : Aavudaiya nayaki Branch : Pugal vendiya pakkam udayar |
| 8 | Vairavan Kovil God : Valar oli nathar Goddess : Vadivudai Ambal Branch : Siru kulathur udayar Sub Branch: (5) Periya Vagupu, Theiyana Vagupu, Pillayar Vagupu, Kazhni vassal udayar, Maru thein thira puram udayar |
| 9 | Velangudi God : Kandeswar Goddess : Kamatchi Amman Branch : Kazhni nallur udayar |
| * | Inter Kovil Marriages are performed - Exemption: Pillaiyarpatti and Inaniyur will not have alliance in between them as they have brotherly relationship. No marriages performed intra branches, except in the Ellayatrankudi and Mathur. |
Business community
Nagarathar business people are HinduHindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
s, predominantly originating in the Chettinad
Chettinad
Chettinad is a region of the Sivaganga district of southern Tamil Nadu state, India. Karaikudi is known as the capital of Chettinad , which includes Karaikudi and 74 other villages...
region of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
. They have been trading with Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
since the heyday of the Chola empire, but in the 19th Century they migrated to countries throughout Southeast Asia. (See Tamil diaspora
Tamil diaspora
The Tamil diaspora is a demographic group of Tamil people of Indian or Sri Lankan origin who have settled in other parts of the world. Significant Tamil diaspora populations can be found in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Middle East, Réunion, South Africa, Mauritius, Seychelles, Fiji, Guyana,...
)
Nagarathars, also known as Nattukkottai Chettiars, were an important trading class of 19th and 20th century South East Asia and spread to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, Burma, Malayasia, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, Java, Sumatra
Sumatra
Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the sixth largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538...
, and Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City , formerly named Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam...
. 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
Wholesale
Wholesaling, jobbing, or distributing is defined as the sale of goods or merchandise to retailers, to industrial, commercial, institutional, or other professional business users, or to other wholesalers and related subordinated services...
trading
Trader (finance)
A trader is someone in finance who buys and sells financial instruments such as stocks, bonds, commodities and derivatives. A broker who simply fills buy or sell orders is not a trader, as they are merely executing instructions given to them. According to the Wall Street Journal in 2004, a managing...
. Banks established by Chettiars include the now defunct Bank of Chettinad
Bank of Chettinad
Bank of Chettinad is a defunct bank that originated in the Nattukottai Chettiar community.*1929: Two prominent Nattukottai Chettiar business family partnerships established the bank with its Head Office in Rangoon and registered it as a private company in India and incorporated under the Indian...
, 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
Indian Overseas Bank
Indian Overseas Bank is a major bank based in Chennai , with 2018 domestic branches and six branches overseas. Indian Overseas Bank has an ISO certified inhouse Information Technology department, which has developed the software that 2018 branches use to provide online banking to customers; the...
founded by Shri. M. Ct. M. Chidambaram Chettiar, and Indian Bank
Indian Bank
Indian Bank is a major Indian Commercial Bank headquartered in Chennai , India. It has 22,000 employees, 1923 branches and is one of the big public sector banks of India. It has overseas branches in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and 229 correspondent banks in 69 countries...
founded by Raja Annamalai Chettiar. Nagarathars are known for their philanthropy
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
; building temples, and school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
s and maintaining them throughout Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
. A married Nagarathar lady is usually addressed as 'Achi' with respect.
Religious influence
Nagarathars spread HinduismHinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
in Asian countries as well as business. Even today, one can find temples dedicated to the Hindu deity, Murugan
Murugan
Murugan also called Kartikeya, Skanda and Subrahmanya, is a popular Hindu deity especially among Tamil Hindus, worshipped primarily in areas with Tamil influences, especially South India, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius and Reunion Island. His six most important shrines in India are the...
, spread throughout Asia. There are Thandayuthapani temples in 15 locations in Malaysia, two in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, 50 temples in Burma, 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
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. Inscriptions within the Karpaka Vinayakar Temple
Karpaka Vinayakar Temple
Pillaiyar patti Pillaiyar temple is an ancient rock-cut cave shrine dedicated to Ganesha, located at Thiruppatthur Pillaiyar patti Pillaiyar temple is an ancient rock-cut cave shrine dedicated to Ganesha, located at Thiruppatthur Pillaiyar patti Pillaiyar temple is an ancient rock-cut cave shrine...
at Pillayarpatti dating between 1091 and 1238 indicate that the Pillayarpatti Nagarathar became the custodians of the temple during the 13th century, in its second growth phase. 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). Buddhist and Jainist links must be analysed.
'Pattinathar' - a saint, who is believed to be a Nagarathar and was a trader before leaving the worldly pleasures.
The Koviloor Math, established at Koviloor (a divinely-charged sacred place near Karaikudi
Karaikudi
Karaikudi is a town in Sivaganga District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.Chettinad literally 'Chetti land' in Tamil, is a collection of 76 villages/towns. Chettinad stretched from Ramnad District and Pudukottai State of 'British' India. The Chettiars, or more properly the Nattukottai...
), has an eventful and vibrant history of 200 years, right from its founder Sri-La-Sri Muthuramalinga Gnana Desikar - a saint, popularly known as 'Koviloor Andavar'. This math (monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
) is reverved by the Nagarathars. The Koviloor Math highly deserves the merit of being called the First School of systematic Vedantic Studies through the medium of Tamil. Many students learnt Vedanta here without any discrimination.
Chettinad Cuisine
As apparent from the title of this section, the popular Chettinad cuisineChettinad cuisine
Chettinad cuisine is the cuisine of the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu state in South India. The Chettiar community, who are a majority in this region, are a very successful trading community. Chettinad cuisine is one of the spiciest and the most aromatic in India.Chettinad cuisine is famous for...
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 / Kummaayam [porridge]
- Vellai Paniyaram
- Kuzhi paniyaram
- Masala Paniyaram
- Inippuch Seeyam
- Paal Kuzhakkattai (Rice puddings in sweet Milk)
- Seepu seedai
- Thenkuzhal
- Manokolam
- Kavuni arisi (Sweet brown rice)
and many more.
Vegetarian main courses:
- Vegetable Mandi
- Vazhakkai poriyal (Unripe Banana deep fried)
- Vazhapoo Vadai (Banana flower vadai)
- Karunai kizhangu masiyal
- Vengaya koas
- Brinjal koasmalli
- Poricha kuzhambu
Some popular non-vegetarian dishes include:
- Chettinad Chicken curry
- Mutton Kola Urundai
- Uppukandam
Please find Chettinad Recipes here. Classic Chettinad Kitchen
Nagarathar Marriage
Nagarathars belong to one of the 9 temples (briefed in the sections below). People within the same temple are considered as siblings. 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. Generally people from Irani kovil and Pillayar patti will not marry, because they treat each other as brother's & Sisters. 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’.
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".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
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 houseVeetu padaippu/podhu padaippu
Every family pray to their ancestors 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 kolamMappillai 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.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.Thirupootuthal
The brides maternal uncle and grooms maternal uncle (Mamakarargal) wear mamakara pattu ( a fluorescent pink silk towel) wrapped around .The groom sits in the manai. The brides maternal uncle brings her in the manaiThe 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.
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 riceMamiyar sadangu
In this ritual the mother-in-law carries a silver plate with small bowls of betel leaf, cotton, vibhuthi (holy ash) and turmeric. She applies each of the items to herself and then to her daughter-in-law.Poo manam choridhal
The elders of both the sides dip their hands in the bowl with flower petals and take out a few petals and keep it at the seated couple's 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 couplesManjal neeru aduthal
Couple's feet is washed by cousins with manjal neer (turmeric water)Both the samandhis dip their tip of their attire in a turmeric water.
Before they used to take bath but in modern days a formality for the ritual they dip in the turmeric water
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 .Kumbuttu kattikolluthal
This is a ritual where in the bride gets the blessings of the elders with a "kulam valum pillai"(krishna idol) 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.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.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.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.
Common names
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.| COMMON CHETTIYAR NAMES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Adaikappan/Adaikkalavan/Adaikammai | Al(zh)agappan/Al(zh)agammai | Annamalai/Unnamalai |
| Arunachalam | Alamelu/Alarmelu (Alami/Alamu) | Chockalingam |
| Chellappan/Chellammai | Chidambaram | (Th)Deivanai |
| Dharmambal | Ganesan (sh) | Gyanambal |
| Karuppiah/Karupayee/Karuppanchetty/kuppanchetty | Kanagasabai/Kanagavalli | Kannappan/Kannathal/Kannan |
| Kaveri | Kothai | Kumarappan |
| Lakshmanan/Lakshmi | Logu | Mangai |
| Meyappan/Meyammai | Meenakshi/Meenal | Murugappan |
| Muthiah/Muthuveerappan/Muthuraman/Muthathal | Nachammai/Nachiappan | Nagappan/Nagammai |
| Narayanan | O(U)lagappan/Olagammai | O(U)dayappan |
| Palaniappan | Periyakaruppan/Periyanayagi | Pethal/Pethachi |
| Pethaperumal | Poongothai | Pichappan |
| Ramanathan/Ramaiah/Ramayee | Raman/Lakshmanan(for twins) | Ramas(w)amy |
| Sabaratthinam | Saravanan | Senthil/Santhal |
| Sethuraman/Sethukkarasi | Sevugan | Shanmugam |
| Sigappi | Sivagami(Sogi)/Sivagamasundari | Somasundaram/Somaiah(somu) |
| Solai/Solachi | Swaminathan | Subramaniam(n) |
| Sundaram/Soundaram(Soundhi) | Sathappan/Sathammai | Sadayappan |
| Soodi koduthal | Thennamai/Thenappan | Thiagarajan |
| Thirunavukkarasu | Thanirmalai | Umaiyal |
| Vairavan | Vasanthal | Valliappan |
| Valliammai/Vallikannu | Velliappan | Venkatachalam |
| Visalakshi(Sala) | Yegappan | |
| Yegammai | Kannappan | Iyappan |
| Perichiappan | Somasundaram | Veerappan |
| Sivapuram devi | Sundaram | Solai |
| Unnamalai | Kathiresan | Periyakaruppan |
| Ammaiyappan | Chittal | |
Initials
Nattukkottai chettiyars identify themself with first two letters of their name (in Tamil language) which becomes initial for their children. When written in English these first two letters of each pronunciation together forms as initial.E.g.
Palaniyappan known as "Pa"na "La"na when written as initial becomes "Pala" in Tamil and PL in English.
Ramanaathan known as "Ra"na "Ma"na when written as initial becomes "Rama" in Tamil and RM in English.
Chithambaram known as "Chi"na "Tha"na when written as initial becomes "Chitha" in Tamil and CT in English.
Arunachalam known as "A"na "Ru"na when written as initial becomes "Aru" in Tamil and AR in English.
Alagappan known as "A"na "La"na when written as initial becomes "Ala" in Tamil and AL in English.
... and so on.
Pillayar nombu
The Origin of Pillayar Nonbu.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 such ceremony 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 in kaveripoompattinam they celebrated this function with faith 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.
Settlements
The king of Pandiya gave the Nagarathar community nine villages around Pudukottai to settle. They built a ShivaShiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
temple in each of them and created the "9 temple" or "9 koil
Koil
Koil or Kovil "King's House" is the Tamil term for a distinct style of Hindu temple with Dravidian architecture.The koil in Tamil Nadu and kovil of Ceylon has a long history and has always been associated with the ruler of the time. Most kings patronised temple building in their kingdom, and...
" 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 — 10.1998°N 78.6490°E
- Mathoor — 10.0639°N 78.8247°E
- Vairavankoil — 10.1289°N 78.6584°E
- Nemamkoil — 10.1369°N 78.6944°E
- Illupaikudi — 10.0562°N 78.8095°E
- Surakuddi — 10.1450°N 78.7605°E
- Velangudi — 10.1165°N 78.7918°E
- Iraniyur — 10.2284°N 78.6504°E
- Pillaiyarpatti — 10.1195°N 78.6678°E
Some of these temples have sub-divisions.
- IIaiyatrangudi: Kazhani Vaasarkkudaiyar, Kinginikkoorudaiyar, Okkurudaiyar, Pattanasamiyar, Perusenthurudaiyar, Sirusenthurudaiyar, Perumaruthurudaiyar
- Mathoor: Arumbakkur, Kannur, Karuppur, Kulathur, Mannur, Manalur, Uraiyur
- Vairavankoil: Kazhani Vaasarkkudaiyar, Maruthenthirapuram, Periya vahuppu, Pilliyar vahuppu, Theyyanar vahuppu
Therkku Vattagai (South)
| # | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Nattarasankottai — 9.8698°N 78.5512°E |
| 2 | Paganeri — 9.9657°N 78.5895°E |
| 3 | Madagupatti — 9.9863°N 78.5366°E |
| 4 | Okkur — 9.9419°N 78.5203°E |
| 5 | Cholapuram — 9.9149°N 78.5013°E |
| 6 | Kalayarmangalam — 9.9046°N 78.5253°E |
| 7 | Kandramanickam Kandramanickam Kandramanickam is a panchayat town in Sivaganga district, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.-Geography:Kandramanickam is located at . It is 18 kilometers away from Karaikudi and 8 km away from Thirupatthur.... — 10.0463°N 78.6327°E |
| 8 | Vettriyur — 9.9086°N 78.6740°E |
| 9 | Natarajapuram — 9.9222°N 78.6079°E |
| 10 | Pattamangalam — 10.0453°N 78.6104°E |
| 11 | Kollangudi Alagapuri — 9.8584°N 78.5903°E |
| 12 | Chokkanathapuram — 10.0091°N 78.5854°E |
| 13 | Alavaakkottai — 10.0033°N 78.5169°E |
| 14 | Keela Poongudi — 9.9609°N 78.5097°E |
| 15 | Sakkandhi — 9.8635°N 78.4598°E |
| 16 | Karungulam — 10.0251°N 78.6050°E |
| 17 | Aranmanai Siruvayal — 9.9570°N 78.6565°E |
| 18 | Panangudi — 9.9327°N 78.6137°E |
| 19 | Sembanoor — 9.9929°N 78.6440°E |
Mela Vattagai
| # | Name |
|---|---|
| 20 | Kilasivalpatti — 10.1827°N 78.6707°E |
| 21 | P. Alagapuri |
| 22 | Kandavarayanpatti — 9.8698°N 78.5512°E |
| 23 | Pulangkurichi — 10.2698°N 78.5912°E |
| 24 | Aavinipatti — 10.2099°N 78.6618°E |
| 25 | Mahibalanpatti — 10.1995°N 78.5632°E |
| 26 | Viramathi — 10.1748°N 78.6621°E |
| 27 | Nerkkupai — 10.2433°N 78.5262°E |
| 28 | Sirukudalpatti — 10.1427°N 78.6483°E |
| 29 | A. Thekkalur — 10.1986°N 78.5092°E |
| 30 | Sevoor — 10.2596°N 78.5981°E |
Keela pathoor Vattagai
| # | Name |
|---|---|
| 31 | Arimalam Arimalam Arimalam is a panchayat town in the district of Pudukkottai, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.-Geography:Arimalam is located at . It has an average elevation of 66 metres . It is 18 kilometers away from pudukkottai and is well connected by public transport.-HISTORY:The name Arimalam was originally... — 10.2513°N 78.8885°E |
| 32 | Rayavaram Rayavaram Raya-varam is a village in Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu state, India.-Geography:Rayavaram is located at . It is a village in . It is 72 km south of Trichy and 90 km North of Madurai. The nearest town, Pudukottai, is 18 km away. The closest airport is Tiruchy. It is situated just 8 km... — 10.2510°N 78.8116°E |
| 33 | Kadiapatti — 10.2355°N 78.7838°E |
| 34 | Thenipatti — 10.1415°N 78.8601°E |
Keela Vattagai
| # | Name |
|---|---|
| 35 | Devakottai Devakottai Devakottai [தேவகோட்டை] is a town and a first grade municipality in Sivaganga district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Devakottai is one of the biggest towns of the Nagarathar community.-History:... — 9.9505°N 78.8182°E |
| 36 | Thanichaoorani — 9.9685°N 78.8121°E |
| 37 | Aravayal — 9.9985°N 78.8027°E |
Mela pathoor Vattagai
| # | Name |
|---|---|
| 38 | Valayapatti Valayapatti Valayapatti is a village in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu, India.Its pincode is 626127.1500 peoples living there.A very famous Senthatti Ayyanar Temple is there.In Valayapatti Sellimariyamman Temple is there.... |
| 39 | Kulipirai— 10.1825°N 78.3912°E ′" |
| 40 | Nachandupatti Nachandupatti Nachandupatti is a small town located 16 kilometres from Pudukkottai. The village got its name because it provided good quality powdered sandalwood paste for all nagarathar functions... — 10.323811°N 78.723305°E |
| 41 | Melaisivapuri |
| 42 | Koppanapatti |
| 43 | Rangiyam |
| 44 | Kuruvikondanpatti |
| 45 | V.Lakshmipuram |
| 46 | Ulagampatti Ulagampatti Ulagampatti is one of the villages of Nagarathars, situated in Tiruppattur Taluk of Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu State, India.Pin code: 630410 .... |
| 47 | Pon. Pudupatti |
| 48 | Vendanpatti |
| 49 | Vegupatti |
| 50 | Virachilai Virachilai Virachilai is a village in the Pudukkottai district in Tamil Nadu, India. It lies 22 km away from Pudukkottai, on the road in between Pudukottai and Ponnamaravathi... — 10.296922°N 78.705035°E |
| 51 | Panayapatti Panayapatti Panayapatti is a Chettinad village in Pudukkottai municipality, Tamil Nadu, India. It has 385 Pulligal. Pulligal is a plural form of Pulli in Tamil. A pulli refers to a registered Nattukottai Nagarathar family.-Historical background:... — 10.1842°N 78.4025°E |
| 52 | Mithilaipatti |
Pathinaru Vattagai
| # | Name |
|---|---|
| 53 | Karaikudi Karaikudi Karaikudi is a town in Sivaganga District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.Chettinad literally 'Chetti land' in Tamil, is a collection of 76 villages/towns. Chettinad stretched from Ramnad District and Pudukottai State of 'British' India. The Chettiars, or more properly the Nattukottai... |
| 54 | Kandanur Kandanur Kandanur is a panchayat town in Sivaganga district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.-Demographics: India census, Kandanur had a population of 6454. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Kandanur has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male... |
| 55 | Kottaiyur |
| 56 | Uyikondan Siruvayal |
| 57 | Kothamangalam |
| 58 | Nemathanpatti — 10.185436°N 78.7712°E |
| 59 | Ariyakudi |
| 60 | Amaravathiputhur |
| 61 | Managiri |
| 62 | Nachiapuram Nachiapuram Nachiapuram is a Nagarathar village located in Sivagangai District in the State of Tamil Nadu in India.Nachiapuram is a panchayat with elected members, and forms part of the Kallal Union.-History:... |
| 63 | Konapet |
| 64 | Athangudi Muthupattinam |
| 65 | Ramachandrapuram |
| 66 | Shanmuganathapuram |
| 67 | Pallathur |
| 68 | Puduvayal Puduvayal Puduvayal is a City in Sivaganga district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a small town located in the Chettinad region of the Sivaganga district. On road it is 12 km away from Karaikudi and 21 km away from Aranthangi This is the native place of up coming Director Ashok kumar.... |
| 69 | Ko. Alagapuri |
| 70 | Kanadukathan |
| 71 | Ko. Lakshmipuram |
| 72 | Palavangudi |
| 73 | Chokalingamputhur — 10.14999°N 78.745644°E |
| 74 | Kallal |
| 75 | Kallupatti |
| 76 | Siravayal |
| 77 | Athangudi |
| 78 | Viswanathapuram |
| 79 | Sivayogapuram |
| 80 | Karaikudi Muthupatinam |
Chetty Crisis in Burma
The worldwide financial depression of the mid 1920’s brought the Nagarathar business to a screeching halt and was referred to then by the newspapers as the “Chetty Crisis”. As commodity prices plunged, Burmese clients were no longer able to pay interest or repay their loans. As a result, the Nagarathars were forced to foreclose on the loans and acquire the land used as collateral.The vast extent of Nagarathar assets and holdings in Burma were not realized till that point. The Burma Provincial Banking Enquiry Committee (BPBEC) of 1930 and other records indicate that 1498 Nagarathar Family Firms owned a total of three million acres (12,000 km²) of Burmese paddy fields. This was roughly one third of all the arable land in Burma! The BPBEC also showed that Nagarathar assets had climbed from Rs. 100 million in 1896 to Rs. 1.3 billion in 1930.
Throughout their financial history, the strength of the Nagarathars had been their liquid assets and their ability to efficiently transfer their wealth back to India. However, in 1930, most of their assets were tied up in land holdings in lower Burma. They still owed a considerable amount of money to British banks and the Imperial Bank of India. These banks in India began to pressurise the Nagarathars for returning of loaned capital. In the midst of the depression, the Nagarathars were unable to dispose of their Burma land holdings. Further, there were major geopolitical changes, with the impending fall of the British empire and the looming second world war and then Burmese freedom. With their assets overseas no longer liquid, the Nagarathars could not repatriate funds to pay off the British bank loans in India. The Nagarathars were helpless and many prominent, wealthy Nagarathar families were forced to sell their assets in Chettinad and many became impoverished.The 1940s and 1950s made the chettiars to regain this situation and became extremely lavish and rich once again. Gold,Diamond,melad,Rubies,Coffee,Tea,Rubber,Loan system,Cars,Petrol,Oil,Spices are what the major trading options are for the chettiars for today. Even today a Chettiar is considered as someone high of money,aristocracy and respect in the society in nations like Singapore,USA,UK,Australia,Malaysia,Canada,Kuwait,France and Sri Lanka
Resources
- World's first unique nagarathar community portal - Nagarathargateway.com
- This article was originally based on an article by PL.Chidambaram, first published at http://nagaratharikkiyasangam.org/
- 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.
- David West Rudner. (1994). "Caste and Capitalism in Colonial India: The Nattukottai Chettiars". University of California Press.
- 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 0-19-564273-2.
- Koviloor Math
- Nagarathar Sangam of North America
- The Official website of Nachandupatti Nagarathar
- The Official website of Sri Adaikkammai Appathal Padaippu Veedu Nachandupatti
- About Nagarathar - Penang,Malaysia
- NKC online by RM Meiyappan