Nadar (caste)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Nadar Community |
|---|
|
| Total population |
|
10,000,000(app) |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Nagercoil,
Virudhunagar, Madurai, Salem and Chennai |
| Languages |
| Tamil |
| Religions |
| Hinduism, Christianity |
| Related ethnic groups |
| Tamil people |
Nadar (also referred as Kshatriya Nadar, Nadan, Nataar, and Shanar) is one of the prominent castes of Tamil Nadu, South India. The term "Nadar"(Tamil: நாடார்) in Tamil literally means "one who rules the land"[1]. Nowadays, Nadars occupy various positions, including education, politics and mostly retail business.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Nadars are the heirs of the fallen ancient pandyas .Considered to be a proud, ancient warrior caste and the initial rulers of the ancient Pandiya Nadu (Pandyan Kingdom)[2][3][4], the Nadars are well known for their bravery throughout the southern part of Tamilnadu. The ancient capital city of Pandiya Nadu, Korkai, is predominantly occupied by the Nadars. After successive invasions from the north by the Kalabhras and other Vadugas on the Pandiyan kingdom, the Nadars were forced out of power and almost became extinct in the 18th century Pandyas. Unlike many other ancient communities who were considered as low castes by the brahmanical classes, they fought back and regained their original status. This process of upward social mobility is known as Sanskritisation. The community which was known as 'Shanans' till the 19th century came to be known as Nadars. The title Nadar is believed to be derived from the Nadans, the aristocrats and the highest of the old Shanan community. The aristocrats among the Nadars in those days were known as Nadans and the poor among the caste, who did toddy tapping for a living, were known as Shanans.[5]The poor among the Nadars(Shanans) during early times possessed no agricultural lands due to the Nayak invasion[6]. Nadars are believed to be closely related to the Villavars, an ancient Dravidian warrior community which founded many Dravidian kingdoms as Cheran and Pandyan in the prehistory.
[edit] Kalaripayattu/Varma Kalai
Till the 19th century the martial art, Kalaripayattu, was meant to be practised only by the warrior castes of South India. Marma Ati was a great warfare practised by the Royal Thiruppad Nadans to defeat/kill the enemy without any external injuries. The art was practiced exclusively by Nadars, Kallars and Maravars of Tamil-Nadu and by the Nairs and Ezhavas of Kerala. [7][8]
[edit] Genetic study
Recent genetic studies on the antigenic variations among south Indian populations suggest Nadars share several genotypic characters with East Asian populations, consistent with the demographic history of South India, and also revealed that there are several genetic markers unique to the group. The study suggested a distinct evolutionary lineage with lesser admixture in the gene pool among groups of Tamilnadu. The gene pool of nadars show more similarity to the East Asian populations (Tissue Antigens. 2003 Dec; 62(6): 542-7) (Human Biology 1996, 68(4), 523-37) [9].
[edit] Further reading
- M. Immanuel (2002) The Dravidian Lineages: The Nadars Through the Ages. A Socio-Historical Study. From Indus Valley Civilization to present time. Published by: Historical Research & Publications Trust, 137/H-4 Bethel Nagar, Nagercoil-629004, Tamil Nadu, India.
- Robert L. Hardgrave, Jr.(1969) The Nadars of Tamilnad; the political culture of a community in change. From year 1800 British records to 1968.
[edit] References
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Prominent Nadars
- Famous Nadar Institutions
- Free Email & Nadars Information
- History of the ancient Nadars
- Their link with the ancient Pandyas
- History of the Nadars
- History of Karuppa Nadars and the Kotachar Clans
- Manadu Thandupattu situated near Tiruchendur
- Nadar community Online Webportal
- Kamaraj Memorial Medical College, Madurai.
- The largest Civil Society Organization of the Nadar Community
