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caste

Nadar (caste)

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Nadar (also referred Kshatriya Nadar, Nataar, and Shanar) is one of the prominent castes of Tamil Nadu, South India. The term "Nadar" in Tamil literally means "one who rules the land". Nowadays, Nadars occupy various positions, including education, politics and mostly retail business. It is also common to refer the Nadars as "Annachi" (roughly meaning elder brother).

Contents

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History

It has been suggested that the Nadars were the heirs of the fallen,ancient pandyas [[1]]. Considered to be a proud,ancient warrior caste and the initial rulers of the ancient pandiya nadu [[2]](Pandiya Kingdom),the Nadars are well known for their bravery throughout the southern part of tamilnadu. After successive invasions from the North by the Kalabhras and other Vadugas on the Pandiyan kingdom, Nadars were forced out of power and almost became extinct in the 18th century [3]. Unlike many other ancient communities who were suppressed and considered as low castes by the brahmanical classes, they fought back and regained their original status. This process is known as Sanskritisation (an act associated with Anti-Brahmanism). 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. [4].

The traditional occupation of most of the nadars of today were agriculture and trade. A sub-caste of the shanars ,known as Nadans, were wealthy landlords [[5]]. Maritime trade had been the mainstay of Nadars in the ancient times when the Pandiyan ships were sailing from Gulf to China. The 19th century saw the Nadars embracing Christianity in large numbers; some accepted Christianity out of will and the others due to their dislike for Brahmanism. Today the distribution of Nadars between the two major religions, Hinduism and Christianity, are 60% and 40% respectively. The deities like Sudalai Madan and Karuppasamy, Isakki, Mariamman, and Murugan are prominently worshiped by Nadars of South Tamil Nadu. Nadars form about 10% of Tamilnadu's Population, and they are predominant in the districts of Virudhunagar, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Kaniyakumari, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kollam (Kerala). They constitute a major chunk in the districts of Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Dindigul, Theni, Coimbatore, Erode, Chennai, Cuddalore, Thanjavur and Namakkal.

Nadars have traditionally divided themselves by clan. Although outwardly they are united as Nadars, there is a clear cut distinction between the Nadars of various regions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. For example the customs and practices of Nadars hailing from Tirunelveli are completely different from that of Nadars hailing from Madurai or Nagercoil. The poor among the Nadars(Chanans) during early times possessed no agricultural lands. They were landless labourers. One occupation that a large number of them took up, in circumstances where there were no opportunities for better undertakings, was toddy tapping. Their counter-parts(Nadans) were a land-owning agricultural community that was also traditionally involved in mercantile activities. The rich among the Nadars, who were considered to be wealthy landlords, in those days were known as Nadans and the poor among the caste who did toddy tapping for a living, were known as Chanans [[6]]. Though both rich and poor nadars shared similar ancestry, they were separate castes at a time. Recent generations of Nadars, like the current generation of most castes in India, have started to open up to each other.

Kalaripayattu

Till the 19th century the martial art,Kalaripayattu, was meant to be practiced 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 Kerela. Link [7]

In the field of economics

The Nadars are well known for their work in small scale businesses. Most of the areas in Tamil Nadu have a grocery store run by someone from this community. They are referred as 'Annachi Kadai' or 'Nadar Kadai.' The Nadars also have branched into electronics, applicances and silverware retail mega-stores. The Nadars form about one tenth of Tamilnadu's population and are a powerful business community. Nadar Community of South India are generally concentrated in the Southern most part of Tamil Nadu. They are mainly from the south of Tamil-nadu but have migrated to different regions of India to extend and enhance their business. They form a promininent Tamil community and also greatly influence the field of poltics. They are very much involved in trading agricultural products. Considering the general nature of agricultural pattern in the Southern most part of India, it is not surprising that they have been associated in dealing with sugar, grains and other related cereals.Their business evolution, has been through many years. Their networking has been remarkably well organized, in spite of basic deficiencies in modern communication. Buying and selling has been their expertise. From early stages, they have cultivated a close business acumen to procure farm products, at best prices, transporting them to ware houses and distributing them for both whole sale and retail markets all over India. It is interesting to note that their range of products in the early stage of their development was confined to:

1. Rice
2. Pulses
3. Edible Oils
4. Sugar, etc.

It would appear, in the early stages and even now, that they have become the most essential link between the farmers and the consumer s on the other end. It is therefore easy to realize that they have emerged dominant, not only in whole sale purchase and sale, but also as retail shop owners in many towns and centers all over the country. As mentioned earlier, their networking is quite unique. Their ability to make products(especially agricultural products) available all over the country is a pretty remarkable trait this community has. This traditional business specialization has been their main strength for several decades. However, with the growing economy and improvements, in infra structure all over India, they have been modifying their business pattern to spread into many other areas of business. Such new patterns started with the building industry and they developed equal skills in procuring such vital materials like:

 1. Cement
2. Iron Hardware for building
3. Roofing materials
4. Other constructional Inputs
5. Paints, varnishes and related materials

In the past few decades, this community has shed its conservative attitude and almost all families have sent their children to universities to qualify as professional Managers, Engineers, etc.
So, further diversification has been seen by getting into manufacturing business generally small scale, in areas which are closely compatible to the trade linkages. Such manufacturing activities have been spread around agricultural sectors and other appropriate areas. One important industry, in which they have been very dominant ,in the manufacturing sector of the South, is the Edible Oil Industry. Many brands of edible oils with constant innovation has been their effort. Such edible oils include coconut oil, ground nut oil, sesame oil, etc. Their latest attempts are to refine and improve such cooking media to high standards.
The industry which is considered to be the brain product of the Nadar community is the fire-works industry. In a small town called Sivakasi, in the southern part Tamil Nadu, India, the making of matches became a reality only before a few decades ago, thanks to the Nadar Community. These matches are made in Cottage Industries employing considerable number of people including children. There is not much mechanization, and all the processes are practically manual and follow a stereo type process. Hundreds of such units exist in and around Sivakasi, producing millions of safety matches every month. This entire business is run and managed by the Nadar Community very successfully and very efficiently. One of the offshoots of the match industry, is the making of fire crackers. This is also produced in a specialised manner and controlled closely by the Nadar community. The supply infrastructure of chemicals and pyro-technical requirements are also interestingly produced by them in the surrounding industrial areas.
Not only looking after the Indian requirements, they are also exporting the products to various other countries. The Nadars are a very hard working people. They have been well known for their perseverance, courage, untiring energy, commitments and dedication to their business. They have become highly modernized and there are many famous business magnets from this community.

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), a trend not observed in the Brahmin communities of south Tamilnadu, who are more closely related to the branch of the Indo-European and Central Asian tree (Human Biology 1996, 68(4), 523-37).

Prominent people

Politics

  • K. Kamaraj — former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
  • Marshall nesamani,freedom fighter,father of kanyakumari district,M.P
  • Vasanthakumar, President,Tamilndu Trade Congress, M.L.A
  • K T K Thangamani , a barrister and communist leader of standing,
  • Tamilisai Soundararajan,President,Tamilnadu B.J.P
  • Thiru Kumari Anandan - Former Tamil Nadu Congress Chief.
  • Sarath Kumar - Tamil Film Actor cum Politician.
  • Ramarajan - Tamil Film Actor / former MLA to the Tamilnadu Assembly.
  • S.Mani Nadar, MLA (TMC) - represented the recently famed Sathankulam constituency.
  • Aladi Aruna - Former Law Minister .
  • P.H. Pandian, MP - Former Speaker of Tamilnadu Assembly.
  • K.P.Kandasamy - Former Minister of Tamilnadu.
  • Tamaraikanni - Famous Tamilnadu Politician. (Satur Constituency)
  • M.John Vincent - (former MLA, Tamilnadu Assembly - Nanguneri Constituency)
  • Pon. Radhakrishnan - Member of Parliament.
  • V. Radhika Selvi- Minister of State for home affairs.

Social

  • W.P.A. Soundrapandiyanar- , renowned social reformer and a follower of E.V. Ramasamy Naicker.
  • Sivagnanm - Tamil writer and freedom fighter.

Business

  • Shiv Nadar — CEO, HCL Group (Infotech)
  • Dr VG. Santhosam- industrialist who pioneered hire purchase scheme in the early 50s in Tamilnadu and is the chairman of VGP group of companies who are leaders in shopping malls, travel and tourism in Tamilnadu.
  • Gunasekaran Ayyanathan (Chairman - Safire group of industries) - Industrialist who pioneered the import of printing machinery in India.Safire printers are the only printers in Tamilnadu, who hold a maximum share in printing cinema posters.
  • M.G.Muthu - chairman of M G M group of companies,M G M disney land
  • Shanmugham Nadar- Founder of Standard fireworks,Sivakasi
  • A.D. Jeyaveerapandian Nadar - Famous Business Man of Nagapattinam.
  • P. Raja Gopal Nadar - Founder of Hotel Saravana Bhavan Chain of Restaurants.
  • V .G. Paneerdas - Founder of V G P Group of Companies, Chennai.
  • Arasan AMSG. Vijayayakumar- Arasan Group of Companies, Sivakasi.
  • Selvaraj - Saravana Stores, Madras.
  • Vasantha Kumar - M/s Vasanth & CO.
  • V.V.Dhanushkodi Nadar - Founder of V. V. D Group of Companies, Tuticorin.
  • R.G. Chandramohan - M/s Arun Ice-creams.
  • Muthu - M/s Idhayam Gingelly Oil Company.

Government

  • Admiral O.S.Dawson - Former Chief of the Naval Staff.
  • Suzhil Kumar - Indian Army Chief.
  • Walter Devaram - DGP.
  • Ravi Arumugam I.P.S - Former I.G of Police ( 1997 - 1999).
  • Sailendra Babu I.A.S - Collector in Tamil Nadu.
  • Sunil Kumar - Chief of Indian Navy ,Rtd.

Media

  • David Davidar — CEO and publisher of Penguin Books and Prominent writer.
  • Solomon Pappayya- Renowned Speaker
  • Adithanar & Sons - Founder of the leading Tamil Daily - Dinathanthi.

Education, science&technology

  • H.S.S. Lawrence — Director of School Education, TamilNadu
  • Prabanjan - Famous Tamil Novelist.
  • Smt. M.Muthiah - National best teacher Awardee.
  • Ranjan Roy Daniel-Physicist conferred with the famed Padma Bhushan.
  • Dr.R.R. Daniel- World famous Scientist, Padmabhushan Awardee, Dean: Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR),Secretary General- COSTED.
  • Dr.Muthunayagam -Chief : ISRO (Atomic Energy, Tumba Rocket Station)
  • M. S. S Pandian-Renowned Social scientist

Arts

Religion

Sports

  • Smt. Helen Mary- Goal-keeper, Indian Hockey Team which won the GOLD for India in the Manchester Common Wealth Games,2002.
  • Manuel Aaron -India's Ist International Chess Master and the Ist chess player to be honored with the Arjuna Award.
  • Kiran Nadar- National Bridge Champion.
  • Vijay Amritraj - Famous Tennis player and a renowned tennis commentator.
  • Mr.Rajarathnam - Captain of Indian Kabadi Team Which Won an Asian Gold.

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.
  • D. Templeman. (1996) The Northern Nadars of Tamil Nadu: An Indian Caste in The Process of Change (February, 1996): New Delhi: Oxford University Press
  • Robert L. Hardgrave, Jr.(1969) The Nadars of Tamilnad; the political culture of a community in change. From year 1800 British records to 1968.

See Also

External links

• - Nadar community Online Webportal

• - The portal for the nadar community online

• - Virudhunagar Nadar community online

  • History of the ancient Nadars [[8]]
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