Vathima (also spelt vathima) are a subsect of Iyers from the 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...

n state 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...

. Being Iyers, they are all Pancha Dravida Brahmins of the Smartha sect who follow the Advaita philosophy propounded by Adi Shankaracharya.

Etymology and origin

The word Vathima is believed to have been a corrupt form of Madhyama which means "central part". Based on this etymological relationship, Vathimas are believed to have descended from the Brahmins who originated from Central India, from the state of MP.The then southern King brought these learned pundits from M P due to the acute paucity of pundits in his home State. When the pundits from MP arrived, the king deeded the 18 villages to them for their sustenance. Thus the name "Pathinettu Gramathu Vāthima or Vāthima of the eighteen villages."
The other vathimas like the udayalur vathimas are the subsequent offshoots.

Sub-sects

The Vathima are sub-divided into

• Pathinettu Gramathu Vāthima or Vāthima of the eighteen villages
• Udayalur
• Nannilam and
• Rathamangalam.

Geographical distribution

The Vathima mainly hail from the Kumbakonam taluk in the Cauvery Delta. The Pathinettu Gramathu Vathima originate from the 18 villages of Sengalipuram

Sengalipuram

Sengalipuram is a village where great saints like Sengalipuram Muthanna and Sri Anantharama Deekshithar, Tamil writer "Thiru" were born.This is one of the 18 Vathima villages.-Location:Country:India...

, Mudikondan, Semmangudi

Semmangudi

Semmangudi is a village in Kodavasal taluk, Tiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu. It is the home of many carnatic singers. The popular carnatic singer Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, is from this town.- Demographics :...

, Palur, Tippirajapuram

Tippirajapuram

Tippirajapuram is a village in Kumbakonam taluk, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. It is located near the banks of the river Thirumalairajan and Mudikonndan in India. The nearest railway station is Kumbakonam which is 8 kilometres...

, Konerirajapuram

Konerirajapuram

Konerirajapuram is a village in the Mayiladuthurai taluk of Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu, India.- Demographics :As per the 2001 census, Konerirajapuram had a total population of 4658. The sex ratio was 932. The literacy rate was 71....

, Puliyur

Puliyur Nagapattinam

Puliyur is a village in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu, India. It is situated 7 km from Nagapattinam, District Headquarters and 3 km from Sikkal. The main deity is Lord Shiva called Vyagrapureeshwarar and the village in ancient days called as Vyagrapuri. There are quite a number of...

, Anathandavapuram

Anathandavapuram

Anathandapuram is a village in Mayiladuthurai taluk, Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu. The nearest town, Mayiladuthurai is located 5 kilometers to the south. Anathandapuram is famous for its beautiful small railway station which is located within the limits of the village...

, Mozhaiyur

Mozhaiyur

Mozhaiyur is a village in South India. State :Tamil NaduDistrict: NagapattinamNearest Railway station : Mayiladuthurai-External links:*...

, Arasavanangaduhttp://www.avgadu.com, Koonthalur, Thethiyur, Vishnupuram, Thuthukudi(tiruvarur) ,Siddhamalli,Vilangudi ,Marathurai,Mapadugai, Manthai while the Udayalur, Nannilam and Rathamangalam sub-sects originated from the villages of Udayalur, Nannilam

Nannilam

Nannilam is a panchayat town in Thiruvarur District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This panchayat union includes many villages.Nannilam and the surrounding area is home to many temples, including Madhuvaneshwarar Temple, an old Shiva temple which is located center of the town. The town is a...

 and Rathamangalam respectively.

The vathimas are characterised by their thrift and comparatively much wealthier. They also tend to marry amongst their own community.

Due to their geographic concentration, it is noted that they tended to be isolated and had an insular culture. As a result, they also tended to be very late in their adoption of the English language and of western culture in general. The insular culture and resultant intermarriage can result in a high degree of consanguinity amongst Vathimas.

Historical Occupation

In ancient times, the most prevalent profession among the Vathimas was moneylending. Vathima women tended to work as well, either in farming, mat making or moneylending. They were also known for their scholarship in classical Hindu literature.

Famous Vathimas

• K. Balachander
  K. Balachander
  K. Balachander is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer. Balachander is known for his distinct film-making style. His films analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He has directed nearly 80 films and has worked in 100 films either as director or...
  
   (b.1930) Tamil film director.
• Sir A. Seshayya Sastri
  Seshayya Sastri
  Sir Amaravati Seshayya Sastri KCSI , or Sashiah Sastri, was an Indian administrator who served as the Diwan of Travancore from May 1872 to May 4, 1877 and as the Diwan of Pudukkottai from 1878 to 1894...
  
   (1828-1903), Lawyer and administrator. Dewan of Travancore
  Travancore
  Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
  
   from 1872 to 1877 and Dewan of Pudukkottai
  Pudukkottai
  Pudukkottai is a town and a municipality in Pudukkottai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Pudukkottai District was carved out of Tiruchirappalli and Thanjavur districts in January 1974.It is the administrative headquarters of Pudukkottai District....
  
   from 1878 to 1894.
• Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer
  Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer
  Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer is considered to be one of the greatest Carnatic vocalists of the twentieth century...
  
  (1908 -2003), carnatic musician.