Tamil Muslim
Encyclopedia
Tamil Muslim refers to those Muslims who have Tamil as their mother tongue. There are around 500,000 in Malaysia which is 2.6% of the total population of Malaysia and 20,000 in Singapore.
Tamil Muslims are largely urban traders rather than farmers. There is a substantial diaspora of Tamil Muslims, particularly in South East Asia, which has seen their presence as early as the 13th century. In the late 20th century, the diaspora expanded to the North America and Western Europe.
They are called Cholias in Myanmar, Mamaks in Malaysia and Rathas in South Africa.
, Oriental, Malay
, Semitic, Turkish, Arabic, Moorish, et al.. Hence, their complexions range from fair to dark; facial bone structures range from sharp/oval to rounded. This was due to the frequent trading and marriage ties
in South East Asia. These races, by the 20th century, began to be listed in official gazettes of different nations as Lebbai, Marakayar, Rowther
, Kayalar
(in Maharashtra), mamak
(a pejorative term addressing tamil muslims in Malaysia), Tulukkans in South India, Chulia (in Singapore), etc. As a result, there is no uniformity in customs and ceremonies within and between districts and nations on occasions like births, marriages and deaths.
basically influenced by the Sufis. Tamil Muslim families are patrilocal though their marriages incorporate Islamic mahr
practice. For instance, it is common to see a groom pay the bride mahr sum of 10,000 rupees and the bride in turn would pay the groom a dowry sum of 100,000 rupees, though practice of dowry is banned by Islamic doctrines. Tamil Muslims practice monogamy
and male circumcision. Like the thali
of Tamil Hindu brides, Tamil Muslim women wear a chain strung with black beads called Karugamani which is tied by the groom's elder female relative to the bride's neck on the day of nikkah.
As a mark of modesty Tamil Muslim women usually wear white thuppatti (from Hindi/Urdu duppatta) instead of the black burqas (that are popular among Urdu-speaking Muslims) which is draped over their whole body on top of the saree. This has remained a hurdle in genealogical research
. Almost all Tamil muslims go to Qabr (Dargah
) ziyarat
which is an important Sunnah
.
of Tamil Muslims in 2005 was estimated at almost $8 billion viz. $3 billion in Tamil Nadu, $1 billion in Malaysia, $600 million in Singapore. Tamil Muslims have historically been money changer
s (not money lenders) throughout South and South East Asia.
Generally Tamil Muslims are involved in various trades like retail, Mutton shops, shops in Foreign bazaar. They are also involved in Gems trade & Leather industry.
Due to the Gulf opportunities, lot of Tamil Muslims went to gulf. Now lakhs of Tamil Muslims are spread over in gulf countries and also in Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. This brought prosperity to Tamil Muslim community.
There are about 400 millionaires within the community and at least one billionaire viz. B.S. Abdur Rahman (better known as the Buhari Group)who constructed the conglomerate ETA Star Group
, Chennai Citi Centre
, Chepauk Stadium, Marina Lighthouse, Valluvar Kottam
, Government General Hospital
, Gemini Flyover, Crescent Engineering College
, et al.. He owns over 70 ocean-going vessels.
Mr.Ansari , Mr.Navas Kani And Mr.M.Muthalif these three major business mans from Kuruvadi,Kadaladi(TK),Ramanathapuram (DIST),thay have more helping minded Philanthropist
India’s number one footwear exporters, Farida Group, founder & Owner M. Rafeeq Ahemed is a Tamil Muslim and who is presently FICCI Director. Haji AVM Jaffardeen is Chairman of Neo Intex Mill Ltd, a Tamil Muslim.
Fathima Jewellers and LKS Gold Houses in Chennai, Femina groups and Ahmed Brothers in Trichy, Anil semia (vermicelli), White house group of companies by Bhari Bhai, Hanifa textiles, Nizam Betel-nuts are Tamil Muslim Companies.
Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath (TNTJ) has the support for its work for the community. TNTJ does not contest in elections but provides its support to the political parties. It conducted massive gatherings, conferences, agitations against the state government to secure a 3.5% reservation in government jobs, higher education. TNTJ helps not only the tamil muslims but also the non mulsims during many events like tsunami, fire accidents, road accidents and for basic amnesties.
TMMK was founded as a social advocacy organization of Tamil Nadu Muslims and involved in various non electoral political activities & social services. It created MMK as a political party in 2009 and contested in four seats but did not win any seat.
The Tamil Nadu Muslim vote bank is not a monolithic mass. They vote for all parties like Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
(DMK), ADMK, Congress etc. as per their liking. TMMK tries to build a strong Muslim vote bank which can play an important bargaining role in Tamil Nadu future elections.
DMK tries to maintain it's substantial Muslim vote bank since its founding, which was built on strong relationship with the Quaid-e-Millath. Various schemes for Muslims like 3.5% separate reservation for Muslims in education and government jobs, Ulemas Welfare Board, and Quaid-e-Millath Memorial Place have been announced by the party.
Now Three Muslim MPs represent the society in Indian Parliament, Haroon Rashidh of Indian National Congress
, Abdur Rahman of IUML and Jinna of DMK (Rajya sabha). Abdur rahman of IUML contested under the DMK banner. In Tamil Nadu Assembly, there are seven Muslim MLAs: Abdul Basith - DMK Vaniyambadi, Bader Sayeed - AIADMK Triplicane, Hasan Ali - INC Ramanathapuram, Khalelur Rahman - DMK Aravakurichi, T.P.M. Mohideen Khan - DMK Palayamkottai, Syed Ghouse Basha - DMK Madurai Central, Ubayadullah - DMK Thanjavur. There are two Muslim ministers in Tamil Nadu Cabinet: S.N.M. Ubayadullah, Minister for Commercial Taxes and T.P.M. Mohideen Khan, Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare, Environment and Pollution Control and Wakfs.
In Tamil Nadu, the school education of the Muslims is okay and its level is relatively equal to general literacy level. But in higher education Muslims lack, due to their family members and relatives taking them for jobs in Gulf and south east Asia {mainly Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei in South Asia} in their young age itself. And as the Muslims are generally involved in trade, their children also get interested in that and therefore miss higher education. But now the picture is changing slowly.
These are some of the Muslim educational institutes in Tamil Nadu:
Tamilnadu Relief Committee has responded and intervened during 2004 tsunami and the recurring flood situations in various states of India, most recently in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Assam. It has alworked with Government partnership in building permanent houses for the people of Sea- erosion locality near Pondicherry besides providing permanent shelters for Tsunami affected in Nagapattinam district of tamilnadu.
s on good governance
and education reforms began to shape the modern Malaysian political system.
Sir Mohammad Usman
was the most prominent among the early political leaders of the community. In 1930, Jamal Mohammad became the first Tamil Muslim president of the Madras Presidency Muslim League. Until then, the party was dominated by Urdu
-speaking Muslims from the Nizamat of Hyderabad. Yakub Hasan Sait
was an Urdu-speaking Gujarati Muslim who settled in Tamil Nadu and served as a minister in the Rajaji government. Allama.Karim Gani, veteran Freedom Fighter and a close associate of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, who hailed from Ilayangudi, served as Information Minister in Netaji BAMA Ministry during 1930's.
Since late 20th century, politicians like Quaid E Millath and Dawood Shah
and Daud Sharifa Khanum have been active in pioneering social reforms like independent mosques for Tamil Muslim women.
The prominent Justice M.M.Ismail was a former Acting Governor of Tamil Nadu and former Madras High Court Chief Justice. He was appointed additional judge of the Delhi High Court in February 1967 and was transferred to the Madras High Court in November 1967. He became Chief Justice on November 6, 1979. On October 27, 1980 Mr. Justice Ismail was sworn in Acting Governor of Tamil Nadu in the place of Prabhudas Patwari.
As Kamban Kazhagam president, he was responsible for organising literary festivals, which focussed on classical Tamil literature. In a message, the Governor, Surjit Singh Barnala, said the former Chief Justice was a legal luminary and contributed a lot to the judiciary.
"He evinced keen interest in Tamil literature and established the Kamban Kazhagam to popularise Ramayana." Mr. Barnala described his death as a loss to the judiciary and Tamil literature.
Tamil Muslim representatives such as J. M. Haroon, Abdul Rahman, Jinna, Khaleelur Rahman, Ubayadullah, Hussan Ali and T. P. M. Mohideen Khan
are found across all major Dravidian political parties like Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
(DMK), Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam
(DMDK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
(AIADMK), as well as the Indian National Congress
(INC).
Former Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad
as well Malaysian politicians Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, Zainuddin Maidin, Anwar Ibrahim
, Khairy Jamaluddin
, Nor Mohamed Yakcop
and Zambry Abdul Kadir
too are of Tamil Muslim origins.
Broadly speaking, Tamil Muslims tend to support laissez faire and free trade
and have been unimpressed by Communism
as a public policy
though fringe groups often call for affirmative action
in the last quarter of 20th century.
n Tamil Muslim culture and literature are heavily influenced by the Qadiri flavour of Sufism
. Their domain range from mystical to medical, from fictional to political, from philosophical to legal.
The earliest Tamil Muslim literary works could be traced to 14th century in the form of Palsanthmalai, a small work of eight stanzas. In 1572, Seyku Issaku, better known as Vanna Parimala Pulavar, published Aayira Masala Venru Vazhankum Adisaya Puranam detailing the Islamic principles and beliefs in a FAQ
format. In 1592, Aali Pulavar wrote the Mikurasu Malai. The epic Seerapuranam by Umaru Pulavar
is dated to 17th century and still considered as the crowning achievement of Tamil Muslim literature. Other significant works of 17th century include Thiruneri Neetham by Sufi master Pir Mohammad, Kanakabhisheka Malai by Seyku Nainar Khan (alias Kanakavirayar), Tirumana Katchi by Sekathi Nainan and the Iraq war ballad Sackoon Pataippor. Notable publications of 18th century include Yakobu Sithat Patal, a medical primer on Siddha Vaithyam (distinguished from Ayurvedic medicine).
Nevertheless, an independent Tamil Muslim identity evolved only in the last quarter of the 20th century triggered by the rise of Dravidian politics as well as the introduction of new mass communications and lithographic technologies. The world's first Tamil Islamic Literature Conference was held in Trichy in 1973. In early 2000. the Department of Tamil Islamic Literature was set up in the University of Madras
. Literati such as Kavikko Abdur Rahman, Mu.Metha, Jainulabudeen, Pavalar Inqulab
, A. Rokkiah and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India
, helped push the frontiers of enlightenment into the 21st century. The pioneering fortnightly journal Samarasam was established in 1981 to highlight and cater to the ethnic Tamil Muslim community's issues.
Islamic Foundation Trust(IFT),Chennai Established in the year 1979.IFT has published 129,14 and 16 books in Tamil, English and Arabic languages respectively. Also brought out Four Audio Cassettes, A set of Sixty Audio Cassettes of the Holy Quran , and A Set of Four MP3 CDs.
Samarasam, Fortnightly Tamil Islamic Magazine published from Islamic Foundation Trust - chennai.
), thozhugai (prayer
), nonbu (fasting
), kayili (lungi
), chacha or saachipa (younger paternal uncle), peribaapu (elder paternal uncle), chachi or saachi (wife of younger paternal uncle), periya vaapa (Father's elder brother), pallivaasal (mosque
), aanam (curry
),
aththa (father), chennaththa (father's youngerbrother), vaapa(father), Bhava (father), umma (mother), Amma (mother) .et al..
physician Akbar Kousar was awarded by the southern governments of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka for his work on kasini herbs.
, shaam
, Ameer Sultan
, Rajkiran
, B. H. Abdul Hameed
, Mansur Ali Khan
,singer (late)shahul hameed
, A. R. Rahman
and Late Bakoda kader are popular in the Tamil film industry.
Tamil mosques are typically of small scale and almost always painted white and green (reflecting peace and prosperity). The first Tamil mosque, Kadarkarai Masjid, was built in early
and pungent colorful spices that tend to permeate most Indian non-vegetarian food. The spice used is called rampe or pandan leaves
. This leaf gives out a distinct flavour only when cooked.
Tamil Muslim cuisine also includes the use of Masi
or cured/dried tuna fish, which is powdered and used with many different items. But this is limited to the coastal regions. They also use ada urugai, which is whole lime pickled in salt but with no chillies; this is mashed and mixed with the Masi powder. The combination gives a sour taste and a distinctly different flavor. The diet of Tamil Muslims is non-vegetarian and they do eat beef. Coconut oil is used for hair-dressing while many chew betel
tobacco after a heavy lunch.
Tamil Muslims are largely urban traders rather than farmers. There is a substantial diaspora of Tamil Muslims, particularly in South East Asia, which has seen their presence as early as the 13th century. In the late 20th century, the diaspora expanded to the North America and Western Europe.
They are called Cholias in Myanmar, Mamaks in Malaysia and Rathas in South Africa.
Racial identity
Tamil Muslims are identifiable by a common language and religion. Otherwise, they belong to multiple ethnicities such as Dravidian, AryanAryan race
The Aryan race is a concept historically influential in Western culture in the period of the late 19th century and early 20th century. It derives from the idea that the original speakers of the Indo-European languages and their descendants up to the present day constitute a distinctive race or...
, Oriental, Malay
Malay race
The concept of a Malay race was proposed by the German scientist Johann Friedrich Blumenbach , and classified as the brown race. Since Blumenbach, many anthropologists have rejected his theory of five races, citing the enormous complexity of classifying races...
, Semitic, Turkish, Arabic, Moorish, et al.. Hence, their complexions range from fair to dark; facial bone structures range from sharp/oval to rounded. This was due to the frequent trading and marriage ties
Miscegenation
Miscegenation is the mixing of different racial groups through marriage, cohabitation, sexual relations, and procreation....
in South East Asia. These races, by the 20th century, began to be listed in official gazettes of different nations as Lebbai, Marakayar, Rowther
Rowther
Rowther or Ravuthar or Rawthar or Rawther is a distinctive Islamic community from the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Together with the Kayalar, Lebbai and Maraikayar communities, they constitute the multi-ethnic Tamil Muslim, an Islamic community spread across South India and South East...
, Kayalar
Kayalar (Muslim)
The Kayalar are Muslim community found in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. They are one of the four sub-groups that make up the Tamil Muslim community....
(in Maharashtra), mamak
Mamak
Mamak may refer to:* Mamak, a term, considered pejorative by some, used in Malaysia to describe the Indian Tamil Muslim community and culture* Mamak stall, a type of food establishment that serves mamak food...
(a pejorative term addressing tamil muslims in Malaysia), Tulukkans in South India, Chulia (in Singapore), etc. As a result, there is no uniformity in customs and ceremonies within and between districts and nations on occasions like births, marriages and deaths.
Legends and rituals
The Aqidah of the Tamil Muslims is based on SunnahSunnah
The word literally means a clear, well trodden, busy and plain surfaced road. In the discussion of the sources of religion, Sunnah denotes the practice of Prophet Muhammad that he taught and practically instituted as a teacher of the sharī‘ah and the best exemplar...
basically influenced by the Sufis. Tamil Muslim families are patrilocal though their marriages incorporate Islamic mahr
Mahr
In Islam, mahr is an amount of money paid by the groom to the bride at the time of marriage which she can spend as she wishes. The English concept of "dower", the gift of funds to the wife in the event she becomes widowed, closely approximates mahr. The terms "dowry" and "bride price" are...
practice. For instance, it is common to see a groom pay the bride mahr sum of 10,000 rupees and the bride in turn would pay the groom a dowry sum of 100,000 rupees, though practice of dowry is banned by Islamic doctrines. Tamil Muslims practice monogamy
Monogamy
Monogamy /Gr. μονός+γάμος - one+marriage/ a form of marriage in which an individual has only one spouse at any one time. In current usage monogamy often refers to having one sexual partner irrespective of marriage or reproduction...
and male circumcision. Like the thali
Thali
Thali is a Western, Central, and North-Western Indian meal with contents varying from one region to another. More usual and famous thalis are Maharashtrian, Gujarati and Rajasthani. A thali is a selection of different dishes, usually served in small bowls on a round tray. The round tray is...
of Tamil Hindu brides, Tamil Muslim women wear a chain strung with black beads called Karugamani which is tied by the groom's elder female relative to the bride's neck on the day of nikkah.
As a mark of modesty Tamil Muslim women usually wear white thuppatti (from Hindi/Urdu duppatta) instead of the black burqas (that are popular among Urdu-speaking Muslims) which is draped over their whole body on top of the saree. This has remained a hurdle in genealogical research
Genealogy
Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...
. Almost all Tamil muslims go to Qabr (Dargah
Dargah
A Dargah is a Sufi shrine built over the grave of a revered religious figure, often a Sufi saint. Local Muslims visit the shrine known as . Dargahs are often associated with Sufi meeting rooms and hostels, known as khanqah...
) ziyarat
Ziyarat
Ziyārah is an Arabic term literally means "visit", used to refer to a pilgrimage to sites associated with Muhammad, his family members and descendants , his companions, or other venerated figures in Islām, such as the Prophets, Sufi saints and Islāmic scholars...
which is an important Sunnah
Sunnah
The word literally means a clear, well trodden, busy and plain surfaced road. In the discussion of the sources of religion, Sunnah denotes the practice of Prophet Muhammad that he taught and practically instituted as a teacher of the sharī‘ah and the best exemplar...
.
Economy
The global purchasing powerPurchasing power
Purchasing power is the number of goods/services that can be purchased with a unit of currency. For example, if you had taken one dollar to a store in the 1950s, you would have been able to buy a greater number of items than you would today, indicating that you would have had a greater purchasing...
of Tamil Muslims in 2005 was estimated at almost $8 billion viz. $3 billion in Tamil Nadu, $1 billion in Malaysia, $600 million in Singapore. Tamil Muslims have historically been money changer
Money changer
A money changer is a person who exchanges the coins or currency of one country for that of another. This trade is thought generally to be the origin of modern banking in Europe....
s (not money lenders) throughout South and South East Asia.
Generally Tamil Muslims are involved in various trades like retail, Mutton shops, shops in Foreign bazaar. They are also involved in Gems trade & Leather industry.
Due to the Gulf opportunities, lot of Tamil Muslims went to gulf. Now lakhs of Tamil Muslims are spread over in gulf countries and also in Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. This brought prosperity to Tamil Muslim community.
There are about 400 millionaires within the community and at least one billionaire viz. B.S. Abdur Rahman (better known as the Buhari Group)who constructed the conglomerate ETA Star Group
ETA Star Group
ETA Star Group is an investment company headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is a joint-venture between Al Ghurair and Tamil Muslim entrepreneurs B.S. Abdur Rahman, Syed M. Salahuddin and Syed Ahmed Hussain.-Company performance:...
, Chennai Citi Centre
Chennai Citi Centre
The Chennai Citi Centre is a shopping mall in Mylapore, Chennai, India. It was opened in 2006. According to Cushman and Wakefield, a global real estate consultancy firm, it is one of the most expensive shopping malls in Chennai.-Major outlets:...
, Chepauk Stadium, Marina Lighthouse, Valluvar Kottam
Valluvar Kottam
Valluvar Kottam is a modern landmark in Chennai, India which is dedicated to the classical Tamil poet, philosopher and saint Thiruvalluvar. Valluvar Kottam is located at the intersection of the Kodambakkam High road and the Village road, was constructed by Kalainger M.Karunanidhi - the then Chief...
, Government General Hospital
Government General Hospital
Government General Hospital or G.G.H. is a major hospital situated in Chennai, India. The hospital is funded and managed by the state Government of Tamil Nadu; hence it is state-owned. It was founded in 1664 by the British East India Company...
, Gemini Flyover, Crescent Engineering College
Crescent Engineering College
B. S. Abdur Rahman University is a private university from the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Previously functioning under Madras University and Anna University as B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Engineering College, the institute gained deemed status in 2008–09, and was renamed B. S. Abdur Rahman...
, et al.. He owns over 70 ocean-going vessels.
Eminent Personalities
- The Professional Couriers' founder and owner Ahemed Meeran , Kalakkadu at Tirunelveli District; he is also the director of Repute Group of Companies (Repute Logistics, Repute Express, Repute InfoTech, Repute Waters, Preston International College, & Unity Public Schools). Repute Group employs over 10,000 people.
- ST Group of Company Mr.Ansari is a Founder & Chairman of ST Couriers, ST Travels & ST Mobiles,
- Mr.K.Navas Kani is a Director of ST Courier,ST Travels and ST Mobiles he is a tamil muslim. Mr.M.Muthalif Founder and chairman of M.M.International,
Mr.Ansari , Mr.Navas Kani And Mr.M.Muthalif these three major business mans from Kuruvadi,Kadaladi(TK),Ramanathapuram (DIST),thay have more helping minded Philanthropist
India’s number one footwear exporters, Farida Group, founder & Owner M. Rafeeq Ahemed is a Tamil Muslim and who is presently FICCI Director. Haji AVM Jaffardeen is Chairman of Neo Intex Mill Ltd, a Tamil Muslim.
- Founder and owner of Zircon International, Air DravidaAir DravidaAir Dravida airline project based in Chennai, India, which intended to offer scheduled flights within southern India using a fleet of CRJ200 Bombardier CRJ-200.-History:...
& Premier Travels, Mr. Sheikh Dawood
Fathima Jewellers and LKS Gold Houses in Chennai, Femina groups and Ahmed Brothers in Trichy, Anil semia (vermicelli), White house group of companies by Bhari Bhai, Hanifa textiles, Nizam Betel-nuts are Tamil Muslim Companies.
Politics
In Tamil Nadu, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) led by Quaid-e-Millath M. Muhammad Ismail Saheb was famous among Tamil Muslims. In the 1980s The National League was created by Abdul Lathif by splitting from Muslim League. The Muslim league was led by Abdul Samad. Soon after the death of Abdul Lathif and Abdul Samad, the two parties attempted to fulfill the needs of Tamil Muslims; but there were no important leaders. After the demolition of the Babri Masjid, a feeling of insecurity gripped the community. Tamil Muslim youths swayed from general apathy to more involvement and interest in active politics. The older people continue to support IUML.Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath (TNTJ) has the support for its work for the community. TNTJ does not contest in elections but provides its support to the political parties. It conducted massive gatherings, conferences, agitations against the state government to secure a 3.5% reservation in government jobs, higher education. TNTJ helps not only the tamil muslims but also the non mulsims during many events like tsunami, fire accidents, road accidents and for basic amnesties.
TMMK was founded as a social advocacy organization of Tamil Nadu Muslims and involved in various non electoral political activities & social services. It created MMK as a political party in 2009 and contested in four seats but did not win any seat.
The Tamil Nadu Muslim vote bank is not a monolithic mass. They vote for all parties like Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is a state political party in the states of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, India. It is a Dravidian party founded by C. N. Annadurai as a breakaway faction from the Dravidar Kazhagam headed by Periyar...
(DMK), ADMK, Congress etc. as per their liking. TMMK tries to build a strong Muslim vote bank which can play an important bargaining role in Tamil Nadu future elections.
DMK tries to maintain it's substantial Muslim vote bank since its founding, which was built on strong relationship with the Quaid-e-Millath. Various schemes for Muslims like 3.5% separate reservation for Muslims in education and government jobs, Ulemas Welfare Board, and Quaid-e-Millath Memorial Place have been announced by the party.
Now Three Muslim MPs represent the society in Indian Parliament, Haroon Rashidh of Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
, Abdur Rahman of IUML and Jinna of DMK (Rajya sabha). Abdur rahman of IUML contested under the DMK banner. In Tamil Nadu Assembly, there are seven Muslim MLAs: Abdul Basith - DMK Vaniyambadi, Bader Sayeed - AIADMK Triplicane, Hasan Ali - INC Ramanathapuram, Khalelur Rahman - DMK Aravakurichi, T.P.M. Mohideen Khan - DMK Palayamkottai, Syed Ghouse Basha - DMK Madurai Central, Ubayadullah - DMK Thanjavur. There are two Muslim ministers in Tamil Nadu Cabinet: S.N.M. Ubayadullah, Minister for Commercial Taxes and T.P.M. Mohideen Khan, Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare, Environment and Pollution Control and Wakfs.
Education
After independence, the Tamil Muslims begun to create lot of schools, colleges of their own. Jamal Mohamed College in Trichy, New College in Chennai, Waqf Board College in Madurai, are some of famous service based Tamil Muslim colleges. In mid 1980s lot of Muslim self-financing colleges were started. Now crescent Engineering college became BS Abdur Rahman University, the first Muslim university in Tamil Nadu.In Tamil Nadu, the school education of the Muslims is okay and its level is relatively equal to general literacy level. But in higher education Muslims lack, due to their family members and relatives taking them for jobs in Gulf and south east Asia {mainly Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei in South Asia} in their young age itself. And as the Muslims are generally involved in trade, their children also get interested in that and therefore miss higher education. But now the picture is changing slowly.
These are some of the Muslim educational institutes in Tamil Nadu:
- Aalim Muhammed Salegh Polytechnic College, Avadi, Chennai
- A.M.S. College Of Engineering, Chennai
- A.I.M.A.N. College For Women - Trichy
- A.J.College of Pharmacy - Chennai
- Al-Ameen Polytechnic College, Erode
- Al Islamiya Polytechnic College, PENNAGARAM
- Annai Arts & Science College - Kumabakonam
- B.S.Abdur Rahman University - Chennai
- C.Abdul Hakeem College of Arts and Science - Melvisharam
- C.Abdul Hakeem College of Engineering and Technology - Melvisharam
- Dhanish Ahmadh College of Engineering - Chennai.
- Muqayyath Sha Sirguro Wakf Board College - Madurai.
- Dr.Zakir Husain College - Ilayankudi.
- Hajee Karutha Rowther Howdia College - Uthamapalayam.
- Haji Sheik Ismail Polytechnic College, KEEZHAIYUR
- Institute of safety management - Chennai
- Islamiah College - Vaniyambadi
- Islamiah Women's Arts and Science College - Vellore
- Islamiyah Matriculation Higher Secondary School - Coimbatore
- Jamal Mohamed College (Autonomous) - Trichy
- Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women - chennai
- Khader Mohideen College - Adirampattinam.
- MEASI Academy Of Architecture, Chennai
- M.I.E.T. Arts and Science College - Trichy
- M.A.R. Engineering college - Trichy.
- M.A.M. Engineering college - Trichy
- Mazharul-Uloom College - Aambur
- M.M.E.S Women's' College - Melvisharam
- Mohamed Sathak A.J.College of Engineering - Chennai
- Mohamed Sathak Colloge of Arts and Science - Chennai
- Mohamed Sathak Polytechnic College, MAYAKULAM
- Muslim Arts College - Thiruvithancode
- National Engineering College, Tirunelveli
- Naina Mohamed College of Arts and Science - Aranthangi
- Noorul Islam College of Engg, Thackkalay
- Noorul Islam Polytechnic College, THIRUVITHAMCODE, Nagercoil
- The New College - Chennai
- Measi Academy of Architecture - Chennai
- New College Institute of management - Chennai
- Popular Engineering College, Tirunelveli
- PET Engg College, Vallioor
- Quaide Milleth College - Chennai
- Rabiammal Ahmed Mohideen College for Women - Thiruvarur
- RajaGiri Dawood Batcha college of Arts and Sciences - Thanjavur
- Sethu Institute Of Technology, Kariapatti, Virudhunagar Dist
- S.B.A.College of Science and Management - Arni
- S.M.Kader Engineering College - Maduramangalam
- Sadakathullah Appa College - Tirunelveli
- Sulthana Abdullah Rowther College for Women - Needamangalam
- Syed Hameedha Arts & science college - Kilakarai
- Thassim Beevi Abdul Kader College for Women - kilakarai
- Mohamed Sathak Polytechnic College(MSPC) - Kilakarai
- Texcity Arts and Science College - Coimbatore
Student Organisations
- Students Islamic Organisation of India(SIO) - Tamilnadu Zone
- Campus Front of India
- JAQH Youth Federation(JYF)
Places
Adirampattinam, Ervadi, Ilayangudi, Kadayanallur, Kayalpattinam, Keelakarai, Abiramam, Kamuthi,Lalpet, Kuthanallur,madurai,Theni, Panaikulam, Cumbam, Karaikal and the districts of coastal Tamil Nadu like Nagapattinam, Thanjavore, Cuddalore and Ramnad are the places of dense Tamil Muslim population. A large population of Tamil Muslims are found overseas South East Asian countries like Malaysia and Singapore and also in Gulf countries like UAE and Saudi Arabia.Relief Committee
Tamilnadu Relief Committee ( TNRC ) a premier relief and rehabilitation trust, guided by compassion and love for human beings, endeavours to address poverty, health and educational problems and offer sustainable solutions that enable individuals and societies to live with dignity. TNRC also provides supporting initiatives that promote economic and social justice.Tamilnadu Relief Committee has responded and intervened during 2004 tsunami and the recurring flood situations in various states of India, most recently in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Assam. It has alworked with Government partnership in building permanent houses for the people of Sea- erosion locality near Pondicherry besides providing permanent shelters for Tsunami affected in Nagapattinam district of tamilnadu.
Law and politics
In early 19th century, Munshi Abdullah's provocative essayEssay
An essay is a piece of writing which is often written from an author's personal point of view. Essays can consist of a number of elements, including: literary criticism, political manifestos, learned arguments, observations of daily life, recollections, and reflections of the author. The definition...
s on good governance
Good governance
Good governance is an indeterminate term used in development literature to describe how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources in order to guarantee the realization of human rights. Governance describes "the process of decision-making and the process by which...
and education reforms began to shape the modern Malaysian political system.
Sir Mohammad Usman
Mohammad Usman of Madras
Khan Bahadur Sir Mohammad Usman, KCSI, KCIE, Kt was an Indian politician, hakim and socialite who served as the Minister of Home for the Madras Presidency in the Justice Party government of the Raja of Bobbili and as the acting Governor of Madras from May 16, 1934 to August 16, 1934...
was the most prominent among the early political leaders of the community. In 1930, Jamal Mohammad became the first Tamil Muslim president of the Madras Presidency Muslim League. Until then, the party was dominated by Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
-speaking Muslims from the Nizamat of Hyderabad. Yakub Hasan Sait
Yakub Hasan Sait
Maulana Yakub Hasan Sait or simply Yakub Hasan Sait was an Indian businessman, freedom-fighter and politician who served as the Minister for Public Works in the Madras Presidency from 1937 to 1939....
was an Urdu-speaking Gujarati Muslim who settled in Tamil Nadu and served as a minister in the Rajaji government. Allama.Karim Gani, veteran Freedom Fighter and a close associate of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, who hailed from Ilayangudi, served as Information Minister in Netaji BAMA Ministry during 1930's.
Since late 20th century, politicians like Quaid E Millath and Dawood Shah
Dawood Shah
B. Dawood Shah was a Tamil literate.He was born on March 29, 1885, in Keezh Manthoor, Tanjore district, Tamil Nadu, India. He died on February 24, 1969 in Chennai, India. B. Dawood Shah is most remembered for publishing the Tamil magazine Darul Islam.-References:...
and Daud Sharifa Khanum have been active in pioneering social reforms like independent mosques for Tamil Muslim women.
The prominent Justice M.M.Ismail was a former Acting Governor of Tamil Nadu and former Madras High Court Chief Justice. He was appointed additional judge of the Delhi High Court in February 1967 and was transferred to the Madras High Court in November 1967. He became Chief Justice on November 6, 1979. On October 27, 1980 Mr. Justice Ismail was sworn in Acting Governor of Tamil Nadu in the place of Prabhudas Patwari.
As Kamban Kazhagam president, he was responsible for organising literary festivals, which focussed on classical Tamil literature. In a message, the Governor, Surjit Singh Barnala, said the former Chief Justice was a legal luminary and contributed a lot to the judiciary.
"He evinced keen interest in Tamil literature and established the Kamban Kazhagam to popularise Ramayana." Mr. Barnala described his death as a loss to the judiciary and Tamil literature.
Tamil Muslim representatives such as J. M. Haroon, Abdul Rahman, Jinna, Khaleelur Rahman, Ubayadullah, Hussan Ali and T. P. M. Mohideen Khan
T. P. M. Mohideen Khan
T. P. M. Mohideen Khan is the former Minister for Environment in Tamil Nadu state of India. He was incumbent Member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, representing from Palayamkottai and he is continuously three times elected in same constituency...
are found across all major Dravidian political parties like Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is a state political party in the states of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, India. It is a Dravidian party founded by C. N. Annadurai as a breakaway faction from the Dravidar Kazhagam headed by Periyar...
(DMK), Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam is a regional political party formed by Tamil film actor Vijayakanth in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu along the lines of the regional Dravidian political parties. He formally announced party formation on September 14, 2005 at Madurai...
(DMDK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is a state political party in the states of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, India. The party was founded by M. G. Ramachandran and is now headed by J. Jayalalithaa. The party headquarters is in Royapettah, Chennai, and was gifted to the party in 1986 by its...
(AIADMK), as well as the Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
(INC).
Former Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad
Mahathir bin Mohamad
Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad . is a Malaysian politician who was the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia. He held the post for 22 years from 1981 to 2003, making him Malaysia's longest serving Prime Minister. His political career spanned almost 40 years.Born and raised in Alor Setar, Kedah, Mahathir...
as well Malaysian politicians Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, Zainuddin Maidin, Anwar Ibrahim
Anwar Ibrahim
Anwar bin Ibrahim is a Malaysian politician who served as Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister from 1993 to 1998. Early in his career, Anwar was a close ally of Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad but subsequently emerged as the most prominent critic of Mahathir's government.In 1999, he was sentenced...
, Khairy Jamaluddin
Khairy Jamaluddin
Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar is a Malaysian politician, and the son-in-law of former Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Since 2008, Khairy has been a member of the Malaysian Parliament representing the constituency of Rembau...
, Nor Mohamed Yakcop
Nor Mohamed Yakcop
Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop is currently the Malaysian Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, in charge of Economic Planning Unit. He was the prior Minister of Finance II, a post he has held since 2004 until 9 April 2009...
and Zambry Abdul Kadir
Zambry Abdul Kadir
Dato' Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir is the current Menteri Besar of Perak and a Malaysian politician from the United Malays National Organisation , the leading party in the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.-Education:-Perak Constitutional Crisis:...
too are of Tamil Muslim origins.
Broadly speaking, Tamil Muslims tend to support laissez faire and free trade
Free trade
Under a free trade policy, prices emerge from supply and demand, and are the sole determinant of resource allocation. 'Free' trade differs from other forms of trade policy where the allocation of goods and services among trading countries are determined by price strategies that may differ from...
and have been unimpressed by Communism
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
as a public policy
Public policy
Public policy as government action is generally the principled guide to action taken by the administrative or executive branches of the state with regard to a class of issues in a manner consistent with law and institutional customs. In general, the foundation is the pertinent national and...
though fringe groups often call for affirmative action
Affirmative action
Affirmative action refers to policies that take factors including "race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national origin" into consideration in order to benefit an underrepresented group, usually as a means to counter the effects of a history of discrimination.-Origins:The term...
in the last quarter of 20th century.
Literature
IndiaIndia
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...
n Tamil Muslim culture and literature are heavily influenced by the Qadiri flavour of Sufism
Sufism
Sufism or ' is defined by its adherents as the inner, mystical dimension of Islam. A practitioner of this tradition is generally known as a '...
. Their domain range from mystical to medical, from fictional to political, from philosophical to legal.
The earliest Tamil Muslim literary works could be traced to 14th century in the form of Palsanthmalai, a small work of eight stanzas. In 1572, Seyku Issaku, better known as Vanna Parimala Pulavar, published Aayira Masala Venru Vazhankum Adisaya Puranam detailing the Islamic principles and beliefs in a FAQ
FAQ
Frequently asked questions are listed questions and answers, all supposed to be commonly asked in some context, and pertaining to a particular topic. "FAQ" is usually pronounced as an initialism rather than an acronym, but an acronym form does exist. Since the acronym FAQ originated in textual...
format. In 1592, Aali Pulavar wrote the Mikurasu Malai. The epic Seerapuranam by Umaru Pulavar
Umaru Pulavar
Umaru Pulavar was a Tamil Muslim poet from Tamil Nadu, India. Umaru Pulavar was born in 1642 in the town of Ettayapuram in Thoothukudi district. He is celebrated as one of the greatest Islamic Poets of India.-Early life:...
is dated to 17th century and still considered as the crowning achievement of Tamil Muslim literature. Other significant works of 17th century include Thiruneri Neetham by Sufi master Pir Mohammad, Kanakabhisheka Malai by Seyku Nainar Khan (alias Kanakavirayar), Tirumana Katchi by Sekathi Nainan and the Iraq war ballad Sackoon Pataippor. Notable publications of 18th century include Yakobu Sithat Patal, a medical primer on Siddha Vaithyam (distinguished from Ayurvedic medicine).
Nevertheless, an independent Tamil Muslim identity evolved only in the last quarter of the 20th century triggered by the rise of Dravidian politics as well as the introduction of new mass communications and lithographic technologies. The world's first Tamil Islamic Literature Conference was held in Trichy in 1973. In early 2000. the Department of Tamil Islamic Literature was set up in the University of Madras
University of Madras
The University of Madras is a public research university in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the three oldest universities in India...
. Literati such as Kavikko Abdur Rahman, Mu.Metha, Jainulabudeen, Pavalar Inqulab
Inkulab
Makkal Pavalar Inkulab is a rationalist Tamil poet/writer, activist, and Communist with Marxist Leninist inclination. He retired as a professor of Tamil at The New College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. His birth name is Shahul Hameed and a known follower of Periyar.His poems espousing rationality have...
, A. Rokkiah and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India
President of India
The President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...
, helped push the frontiers of enlightenment into the 21st century. The pioneering fortnightly journal Samarasam was established in 1981 to highlight and cater to the ethnic Tamil Muslim community's issues.
Islamic Foundation Trust(IFT),Chennai Established in the year 1979.IFT has published 129,14 and 16 books in Tamil, English and Arabic languages respectively. Also brought out Four Audio Cassettes, A set of Sixty Audio Cassettes of the Holy Quran , and A Set of Four MP3 CDs.
Samarasam, Fortnightly Tamil Islamic Magazine published from Islamic Foundation Trust - chennai.
Vocabulary
Tamil Muslim vocabulary includes several peculiar words that cannot be found among non-Muslim Tamils like thuppatti (purdahPurdah
Purdah or pardeh is the practice of concealing women from men. According to one definition:This takes two forms: physical segregation of the sexes, and the requirement for women to cover their bodies and conceal their form....
), thozhugai (prayer
Salat
Salah is the practice of formal prayer in Islam. Its importance for Muslims is indicated by its status as one of the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam, of the Ten Practices of the Religion of Twelver Islam and of the 7 pillars of Musta'lī Ismailis...
), nonbu (fasting
Fasting
Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time. An absolute fast is normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period, usually a single day , or several days. Other fasts may be only partially restrictive,...
), kayili (lungi
Lungi
The Lungi , also known as a sarong , is a traditional garment worn around the waist in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Horn of Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula...
), chacha or saachipa (younger paternal uncle), peribaapu (elder paternal uncle), chachi or saachi (wife of younger paternal uncle), periya vaapa (Father's elder brother), pallivaasal (mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
), aanam (curry
Curry
Curry is a generic description used throughout Western culture to describe a variety of dishes from Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Thai or other Southeast Asian cuisines...
),
aththa (father), chennaththa (father's youngerbrother), vaapa(father), Bhava (father), umma (mother), Amma (mother) .et al..
Medicine
UnaniUnani
Unani-tibb or Unani Medicine also spelled Yunani Medicine means "Greek Medicine", and is a form of traditional medicine widely practiced in South Asia...
physician Akbar Kousar was awarded by the southern governments of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka for his work on kasini herbs.
Art and architecture
Artistes like Nagore E.M. Hanifa, NassarNassar
Nassar is a Tamil actor, producer, writer, director, lyricist, and singer. He has appeared in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi and English films. He is often cited as part of India's specialist character actors, along with the likes of Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Nana Patekar...
, shaam
Shaam
Shamshuddin Ibrahim, known professionally as Shaam , is a Tamil film actor and model. Starting his career as a professional model, he soon made his acting debut in the film Khushi , appearing in a cameo role. He further appeared in lead roles in critically and commercially successful films such as...
, Ameer Sultan
Ameer Sultan
Ameer Sultan ; born 5 December 1966) is an Indian film director, producer and actor, working in the Tamil film industry. He has directed three films and has gained notable critical praise for two of them, the mystery thriller Raam and the drama Paruthiveeran...
, Rajkiran
Rajkiran
RajKiran is a film actor, producer and director, who has acted in more than 150 Tamil films.-Film career:...
, B. H. Abdul Hameed
B. H. Abdul Hameed
B. H. Abdul Hameed is a Sri Lankan Tamil radio broadcaster, master of ceremonies, television host and film actor. He is known for his broadcasting career on Radio Ceylon, the oldest radio station in South Asia. Hameed has hosted many Tamil cultural events around the world.-Career:He joined a band...
, Mansur Ali Khan
Mansoor Ali Khan (actor)
Mansoor Ali Khan is a South Indian actor who is prominent in Tamil films. He usually plays comedic villains- villains with unusual characteristics making them funnily evil. His first film was Rajathi Thedi starring Karthik - as a pickpocket-cum-rowdy who harasses the heroine. From then on he has...
,singer (late)shahul hameed
Shahul Hameed
Shahul Hameed was an Indian playback singer who sang predominantly in Tamil movies under the music direction of the Academy winner A. R. Rahman. His association with the composer dates back to the TV jingles in the 1980s.- Early life:...
, A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
and Late Bakoda kader are popular in the Tamil film industry.
Tamil mosques are typically of small scale and almost always painted white and green (reflecting peace and prosperity). The first Tamil mosque, Kadarkarai Masjid, was built in early
Cuisine
Tamil Muslim cuisine is a syncretic mixture of Tamil Hindu and North Indian Muslim recipes and flavours. Its distinguishing feature is the total absence of hot kebabKebab
Kebab is a wide variety of meat dishes originating in Middle East and later on adopted by the Middle East, and Asia Minor, and now found worldwide. In English, kebab with no qualification generally refers more specifically to shish kebab served on the skewer...
and pungent colorful spices that tend to permeate most Indian non-vegetarian food. The spice used is called rampe or pandan leaves
Pandanus
Pandanus is a genus of monocots with about 600 known species. They are numerous palmlike dioecious trees and shrubs native of the Old World tropics and subtropics. They are classified in the order Pandanales, family Pandanaceae.-Overview:...
. This leaf gives out a distinct flavour only when cooked.
Tamil Muslim cuisine also includes the use of Masi
Masi
Masi can refer to:*Masi Oka, actor, star of TV show Heroes*Masi , the Fijian term for the Paper Mulberry tree*Masi, Italy, a city in the province of Padua, northern Italy*Masi, Norway , a village in Finnmark, northern Norway...
or cured/dried tuna fish, which is powdered and used with many different items. But this is limited to the coastal regions. They also use ada urugai, which is whole lime pickled in salt but with no chillies; this is mashed and mixed with the Masi powder. The combination gives a sour taste and a distinctly different flavor. The diet of Tamil Muslims is non-vegetarian and they do eat beef. Coconut oil is used for hair-dressing while many chew betel
Betel
The Betel is the leaf of a vine belonging to the Piperaceae family, which includes pepper and Kava. It is valued both as a mild stimulant and for its medicinal properties...
tobacco after a heavy lunch.
See also
- AbiramamAbiramamAbiramam is a panchayat town in Ramanathapuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.-Geography:Abiramam is located at . It has an average elevation of 41 metres .-Demographics:...
- AdirampattinamAdirampattinamAdirampattinam ', also known by the shorter Adirai is a panchayat town in Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.- Demographics :...
- ErwadiErwadiErvadi or Erwadi is a village in Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu in southern India belonging to Kadaladi Taluk and Keelakarai Town panchayat. The village is the location of the grave and shrine of Qutbus Sultan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Badusha, the then ruler of Madinah Al Munawwara...
- Ilayangudi
- kamuthiKamuthiKamuthi also spelled Kamudi actually stands for Kavinmigu Mullai Thirunagar. Kamuthi is a Panchayat town in Ramanathapuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.-Demographics:...
- KayalpatnamKayalpatnamKayalpatnam or Korkai is a town in the Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu, India. Kayal is referred to in Marco Polo's travel diaries dating to 1250 AD. Korkai or Kayal was an ancient port dating to the 1st centuries of the Christian era and was contemporaneous to the existence of Kollam, another...
- KoothanallurKoothanallurKoothanallur is a city and a municipality in Thiruvarur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.-Brief history:Koothanallur, a small village started from the Turkish colonization, Koothanallur derives its name from two cultivator-brothers called Younger Koothan and Elder Koothan who are believed...
- KilakaraiKilakarai-About:Kilakarai, Kilakkarai or Keelakarai is a municipality in Ramanathapuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.Kilakarai is an ancient coastal town and a port, located in the southern Tamil Nadu. It was a flourishing sea port and a gateway to places as far as Madurai till the early 20th...
- MaduraiMaduraiMadurai is the third largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It served as the capital city of the Pandyan Kingdom. It is the administrative headquarters of Madurai District and is famous for its temples built by Pandyan and...
- NagoreNagoreNagore is a town in the Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu, India. It is located approximately 16 km south of Karaikal and 4 km north of Nagapattinam. Tiruvarur , Mayiladuthurai , Muthupet are nearby towns. It has a population of approximately 90,000. The prime attraction is the renowned...
- UdangudiUdangudiUdangudi is a Panchayat town in Thoothukudi district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a small village in Tamil Nadu, India situated near Thiruchendur. The village was once known for Vetrilai and Karupatti.-Demographics:...