Nadar (caste)

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Nadar also Kshatriya Nadar, Natar, Sanar, and Chanar is one of the Tamil and Malayalam castes found primarily in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and in the Tamil diaspora, particularly those living in Sri Lanka. The term is also used to refer to a man belonging to that caste.

Contents 1 History 2 Nadars in Inscriptions 3 Genetic study 4 Relationship with the Edigas caste of Kerala 5 Prominent people 5.1 Politics 5.2 Business 5.3 Media 5.4 Arts 5.5 Religion 6 Further reading 7 External links 8 See also

[edit] History

The Nadars have always been a hardworking community, through many obstacles in their past, to become a largely successful group as a whole. The term "Nadar" in Tamil literally means "one who rules the land".It is an abbreviation of the word "Nadalvar" ("Nadu" plus "Alvar"). A proud warrior caste and the initial rulers of the ancient pandiya nadu (Pandiya Kingdom),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. Unlike many other ancient communities who became extinct they fought back and regained their original status.

It has been suggested that the traditional occupation of some nadars were being kings and Soldiers of the Pandiyan kingdom and some others were toddy tapping, trading in palm products, and agriculture. 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 out of will and some due to the easier acceptance into Christian schools. 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, Kanniyakumar, 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 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 were mostly 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. 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.

The premium placed on education by the Nadar community resulted in a drastic improvement in the socio-economic landscape of the community, a distinction reserved by upper classes of India. The Nadars are known for their work mostly in small businesses. Most cities in Tamil Nadu have a grocery store run by someone from this community. They are even referred to as 'Annachi Kadai' or 'Nadar Kadai.' The Nadars also have branched into electronics, applicances and silverware retail mega-stores. 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, India. They had originally emanated only from this region and though they have migrated all over India, (even overseas) for many decades now, they are part of a very specialist community in the South.

They appear to have been originally very much involved in 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 for many years, now in trading and distribution, only.

Their networking has been remarkably well organised, 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 be appear, in the early stages and even now, they have become the most essential link with the actual farmer and the consumer on the other end.

It is therefore easy to realise that they have emerged dominant, not only in whole sale purchase and sale, but also as retail shop owners in many towns and centres all over the country.

As mentioned earlier, their networking is superb, and their ability and skill to get involved in such farm products, and make them available across the counter, all over the country has been possible mainly due to their close business and community linkage.

This traditional business specialisation 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 trading 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

As such, the traditional business of the family continue in a more professional manner, with such educated member of a family leading to considerable changes in modernisation approach, proper business forecast combined with sound management principals looking at the future.

Another interesting thing that has been happening is their ability to channel talent with proper focus. Every family has been grooming and training both academically and otherwise the necessary managerial man-power. However, where the business was not big enough to accommodate such members of the family, they have been branching off into other areas to support the trading activities. In the past 20-30 years, there has been a big boom in building in construction work, and in the Nadar community have established themselves very well in principal cities, towns and even many villages.

It is, therefore, a familiar sight, as one drives through the country side, to notice, shops of groceries, big whole sale distribution centres, etc., for agricultural products. Alongside one would notice shops selling building and construction materials, cement, paints, varnishes, etc.

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 support areas.

One important industry, in which they have been very dominant in the manufacturing sector in the South, relates to 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.

Whilst discussing the business pattern and growth of the Nadar community a certain amount of exclusive discussion on one Industry in the South needs merit. This industry is actually the brain product of the Nadar community namely that of producing safety matches.

In a small town called Sivakasi, in the southern part Tamil Nadu, India, the making of matches became a reality over a few decades ago, started by the Nadar Community. These matches are made in Cottage Industries employing considerable number of people including children.

There is not much mechanisation, 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 at large, very successfully and very efficiently.

One of the offshoots of the match industry, is the making of fire crackers. This also is produced in a specialised manner and controlled closely by the same community.

The supply infrastructure of chemicals and pyro-technical requirements are also interestingly produced by them in surrounding industrial areas, and very successfully managed.

If one were to look at the success story of this community, there is nothing to beat the safety match Industry in the South. Not only looking after the Indian requirements, they are also exporting to various other countries.

The Nadars are very hard working people. They have been well known for their,courage, perseverance, untiring energy, commitments and dedication to their business. They have become highly modernised. Many of them are qualified nowadays from advanced countries from Engineering institutions and Business Schools. Electronics field is also no exception and of one of the top leading computer companies in India, has been founded by a member of this community.

[edit] Nadars in Inscriptions

The mystery of the Nadar (also spelt Nattar in old documents and certainly pronounced Nattar by country folk) caste deepens as old inscriptions resurface. Historians show historical evidences to show that almost all the Nadars were land owning members, that they had practices of royalties, which has led some historians to surmise they are perhaps Royalty who were overthrown and banished.

1655 AD Inscription
Another 1655 AD inscription, records an accord between the sthanathar, the Chetti merchant community and the Nattar to contribute 50 kalanju of gold to the Elunattu Mutt at Chidambaram Source:http://www.hindu.com/2004/06/28/stories/2004062803670600.htm

[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 December; 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 [www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1046/j.1399-0039.2003.00118.x/abs/] Inference: Nadars colonised most of the East Asian countries including Indonesia during the Pandiyan times.

[edit] Relationship with the Edigas caste of Kerala

Ezhava community is Malayalam speaking caste found in the state of Kerala engaged in Toddy tapping, ayuvedic business, liquor business and martial arts. The word ezha or era or ira or izha in Tamil (hence in Malayalam) means toddy. Ezha means south while Ezha Nadu means Sri Lanka. In Alappey and some areas of kollam ezhavas are also called channars. Interestingly nadars who engaged in toddy tapping are also called chanars in some parts of Tamil Nadu .But there exist a difference between Chanar and Nadar. Ezhava or similar identity caste are not much found in Tamil Nadu but is strong in all other three south Indian states. The toddy tapping community of Andhra says they are descedants of nadars of Tamil Nadu but called themselves as Edigas, name resembling toezhava of Kerala. There is no caste whoose name resembling to Nadar in main land Kerala. Same is the case of Tamil Nadu, except the case of microscopic similar people from all other south Indian states migarted to the state like ezhuvar, iluvar,billava and ediga or goud.

When Sree Narayana Dharma Pariplana (SNDP) yogam is formed in kerala in 1883, its first General Secretary, Mahakavi Kumaran Asan, read out the constitution and byelaws of the S. N. D. P. Yogam to the Sree Narayana Guru. As per the original by-law the word 'community' (sarnudayarn) that was given in the constitution it was limited to those communities known as Ezhava, Thiya, Billava and Nadar. The Guru objected to the definition of the word 'community' (sarnudayarn) that was given in the constitution.SNDP Yogam

[edit] Prominent people

[edit] Politics

• Kamarajar — former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

[edit] Business

• Shiv Nadar — CEO, HCL Group (Infotech)

[edit] Media

• David Davidar — publisher and writer,

[edit] Arts

• Sathyaneshan Nadar — Malayalam film actor
• Ramarajan — Tamil cinema actor

[edit] Religion

• Ayya Vaikundar — Ayyavazhi reformer and religionist

[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.
• 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. [1]

[edit] External links

• http://www.nadarworld.com - NADAR community & NESAM online webportal
• http://www.nadar.org - Nadar community Online Webportal
• http://www.nadarsangam.com - the portal for the nadar community online
• http://www.nadar.info - Virudhunagar Nadar community online
• http://www.virudhunagar.org - Virudhunagar Nadar community online
• http://nadar.kuttyjapan.com/famous-nadars.asp - Famous Nadars
• http://www.kuttyjapan.com/nadar/page07.asp - Prominent Nadar institutions

[edit] See also

• Sri Lankan Tamils
• Caste in Sri Lanka
• Goud a related group of AP also called Edigas
• Ezhava a related community in Kerala