Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Kongu Vellala Gounders

Kongu Vellala Gounders or Vellala Gounders or Kongu Vellalars or simply Gounders are a Kshatriya, warrior group of the Kongu Nadu and ancient Chola and Chera empires of South India. These Kshatriyas became Vellalars later, as it is allowed in Hindu dharma for Kshatriyas to become Vellalars under special circumstances and took up agriculture in the now Kongu Nadu. They are an ancient noble, feudal and land-owning caste of Tamil Nadu, Southern India. They moved to the present Kongu Nadu after a conflict with the Imperial Cholas. The Chera kings are also noted to be of Gounder origin at some point in history, who ruled from the ancient city of Vanchi, the modern Karur and extended their empire till the western coast of South India when the empire was at its peak.

Contents

[hide]

[edit] Characteristics

The "Kongu Vellala Gounders" have a very rich ancient heritage and continuous cultural tradition even before the recorded history of South India and had enjoyed reputation and influence dating back from the early Sangam Tamil age. The Gounders have been credited by many as unique among the other castes of Tamilnadu and Southern India as a whole. The Kongu Vellalars are known for their noble qualities which reflects profoundly in their day-day life like "objective nature, dedication, inspiring hardwork, high moderation, honesty, loyalty, philanthropy, strong bonding, humanitarian spirit, innovative mind, reliability, strong bonding, compassionate, deeply religious, spiritual and benevolent". The Kadayezhu Vallalkal, the last seven benevolent rulers came from the "Kongu Vellalar" community. References to the Kongu Vellalars have also been found in the Purananooru of the early Sangam Tamil age. They have been instrumental in the welfare of the Kongunadu which is predominantly rain-fed but blessed with a cooler tropical plateau climate. The prosperous Kongu region now saves the Tamil Nadu state from economic collapse and single handedly manages its ancient glory and reputation. The late former Tamilnadu Chief Minister "Chakravati" Rajagopalachari known for his wise acumen in administration had three Gounders in his famous cabinet of eight and described the reason as they being very honest, talented and loyal ministers.

[edit] Ethnic roots

There are various themes of origin of the Gounder caste. The common undercurrent in all of them is that the original name of the caste is Gangakulam (Tamil: கங்காகுலம்) which is descended from the King Gangadatta (Sanskrit: meaning "the one" given by the Goddess Ganga) (Tamil: கங்கதத்தன்) (the name Kongu Vellala Gounder is a relatively new, post-colonial classification necessitated nomenclature).

Gounder is the name of the village headman in the system of decentralised panchayat administration used with various regional variations by distinct castes across South India. The root word is "Kavunda" (கவுண்ட). This system gained prominence and political ascendancy during the greatest king of the Ganga dynasty, Durvinita. The posts of the village headmen were usually assumed by the Kshatriya warrior clans of the "Kongu Nadu" region and so fell to the ruling "Gangakulam" (ref: Kongudesa Rajakkal).

They are traditionally considered to be Tamil speakers of the Kongu Nadu, an ancient division of Tamilakam that includes parts of northwest Tamil Nadu, portions of neighbouring Kerala and the southern Mysore region of Karnataka. They are one of the Prominent castes of Tamil Community who have their roots to the Sangam Tamil Culture and their elaborate marriage festivities are mentioned about in beautiful chaste Tamil by Kavirayar Kambar in his famous Kongu Mangala Vazhthu songs. The famous epic of Ponnar Shankar which was also written by Kalaignar Karunanidhi illustrates them very clearly.

They are one of the most reformed, progressive castes who lived in the Kongu region of Tamilnadu from historical times. The reasons for such a developed region, cultured & mannered people go back to the Gounder caste which mostly go unresearched partly due to the heavy stench of ideological biases of contemperory Tamil historians and partly due to the jealousy and the resulting fear of the caste itself.[citation needed]

The word Gounder has two possible meanings in archaic Tamil and Kannada.

1) The word Kamindan in Sangam Tamil means "the one who cleared forests and made the land cultivable."

2) In Kannada Kamindan means cattle breeder which is found in inscription belonging to the Hoysala's.

One can even now see the sanctity attached to cattle breeding by the Kongu Vellala Gounders even to-day when they call their chief festival Pongal as Patti Nombi. The Vokkaliga Gowdas of Karnataka and the Kongu Vellala Gounders of Tamil Nadu are one of the most well organised social group in South India but with Kongu Vellalars showing even more intricately arranged socio-cultural hierarchy than their long separated ethnic cousins Vokkaliga Gowdas owing to their long recorded history of Kshatriya martial status before turning Vellalars.

The Kongu Vellalars (including Nattu Gounders) were of great support to the King by assisting with their own army in great battles and war during ancient times. They also held high positions such as chieftains, army generals and ministers of the ancient Chera and Chola empires. They were also the ancient Chera Kings who ruled from Vanchi, modern day Karur and extended their empire till the western coast of India when the Kingdom was at its peak. The community enjoyed high reputation and respect even from the early Sangam age.

[edit] The Velalapuranam and Kambar's Mangalavazthu

The Velalapuranam, a 19th century work which tells the legend of the man who originated from the river Ganga called here as Marapalan who started the Gangakulam. This is a construction based probably on Kambar's Mangala Vazhthu ( மங்கல வாழ்த்து) which is even today sung during one of the Gounder marriage rites. Kambar himself describes the various rites associated with the Gounder marriage. One is the Kaikorvai (கங்கா குலம் விளங்க கம்பர் சொன்ன...) in which he blesse the Gangakulam couple. These Vellalars are descendant from the ancient indigenous Kshatriya Suriyavamsam (Solar dynasty) through the Gangakulam (preserved in names like Suriya Kangeyan and titles having Kangeyan).

Kongu Mangala Vaazhthu composed by Tamil National poet Kavirayar Kamban is a beautiful treatise in chaste Tamil elaborating the marriage festivities of Kongu Vellalars, his patron. This song explains in detail and in sequence all the events related to a marriage from the beginning to the end and is regarded as a classical masterpiece on ancient customs and traditions of Tamil people.

[edit] History & Feudal past

In Sangam Tamil lexicon the word Chera means hill, Pandya means old, Chola means new and Thondai means branch (Kilai) and the word Pallava in Sanskrit also means branch indicating that the Pallavas were the later offshoot of the Cholas of Thondai Nadu. The Chera, Chola and Pandya are considered to be the traditional Tamil siblings and descendants of the original Kings of ancient Tamilakkam. The Tamil epic Silappatikaram brings out the unity of the Chera, Chola and Pandiya Kings who had matrimonial relations among them. And the Moovendar Tamil Kings together with the Pallavas constitute the Dravidian Tamil empires that ruled the ancient Tamilakkam.

The history of the Kongu Vellala Gounder caste is one of the most obscure along with the history of the Kongunadu region itself. They were rulers, kings, aristocrats, chieftains, army generals, ministers and held various prominent and prestigious positions in the empire and courts of the ancient Cholas. They also ruled Kongu Nadu as an independent Kingdom and together with the Cheras and Imperial Cholas checked and countered any outside aggresion across the whole of South Indian region. Some of them were also the Chera Kings who ruled from the ancient city of Vanchi, modern day Karur which extended upto the western coast of Southern India when the empire was at its peak.

Kongu Nadu was divided into 24 regions popularly known as "Nadus". These regions are often suffixed by the word Nadu and reprsents the area they include like Annamalai Nadu, Poondurai Nadu, Thenkarai Nadu, Rasipura Nadu, Poovaniya Nadu, Kilanku Nadu, Kangeya Nadu and such. Under this organizational system, the chiefs of the 24 regions would get together and decide on various political and social issues and hence accordingly governed the people and its region. The flag of the Imperial Cholas is Tiger but as there are no tigers in the Uraiyur and Thanjavur regions of Chola Nadu, it is highly likely and postulated that the flag of Imperial Cholas with the Tiger emblem was done by a Kongunadu warrior of ancient Tamilakkam.

[edit] The code of Predatory Warfare and Self-Sacrifice by the Gounders and other warrior castes in Ancient Tamilnadu

The Kongu Nadu and its people have been largely independent in histroy not so much by their achievement but the selfless sacrifice made by a relatively few for many others which still echo even after many centuries and generations. The ancient epics of Silappatikaram (5: 79-86) and Manimekalai (6: 50-51) mention the practice of martial self-sacrifices and suicidal battles of the warrior caste of ancient Tamil Nadu as the ultimate expression of honour and his loyalty to his King . The Tamil country was divided into a number of feudal domains called Palayams which literally means "military camps" , the chief of which were the Palaiyakkarar – the commander of the camp. The practice of martial suicide was most prevalent in the Kongu region of Tamil Nadu, which had the very large number of "Palayams" in the whole of South India.

Early Europeans who studied the military system of the Tamil country were inclined to read therein, some of the ideals embodied in the celebrated regulations of the Prussian infantry that the whole of Europe imitated after the victories of Frederick II.The military system of the Tamil country was yet a dream in eighteenth century Europe; its armies were in the process of developing methods and regulations which “got rid of the peasant” in the new recruit and “gave him the air of a soldier.” Like the Japanese Bakuhan system, the "Palayam system" was based on a feudal class structure of warriors, farmers, artisans and merchants where the distinctions between the caste statuses of the constitutent classes were strictly enforced. To symbolize this society, the Tamil warriors, much like the later Japanese samurai, wore swords in everyday life because the system was maintained by their military prowness.

"Avippali" is an act of the Kshtatriya warrior done on hearing that his King or commander has died (Purapporul Venpa Malai). To ensure the complete severing of the head, the warrior tied his hair to a bamboo bent taut before he cut his neck. Hero stones depicting this practice are found all over Tamil Nadu and are called "Avippali" by Tamil literature and "Saavan Kallu" by locals. The warriors who thus committed self-sacrifice were deified in hero stones (saavan kallu) and worshipped. Their relatives were given lands which were exempted from tax as mark of respect for the brave soul deceased.

An area handbook (Tharamangalam) of the Tamilnadu archeology department notes that the Nava Kandam sculpture which is found widely all over Kongu Nadu (Coimbatore, Salem) is to be seen at the Tharamangalam Kailasanathar Kovil also. The people call it Saavan Kallu. The practice of "Nava Kandam" existed in Kongu Nadu till the early part of this [i.e., 20th] century.

Apart from these codified forms of martial self-sacrifice, a method called Vadakkiruththal is mentioned in Tamil heroic poetry. It is the act of a warrior king fasting to death, if some dire dishonour were to come upon him. The Tamil teacher, and the Dravidian propagandist, turned the song of the legendary Chera King Irumborai who committed self-sacrifice when he was taken captive by his enemies into a compelling theme in Tamil renaissance.

[edit] Clans or Kootams of Kongu Vellala Gounders

Unlike other Vellalars, of whose totemic clan and tribal origins have been eclipsed totally and erased by Sanskritisation, Kongu Vellalars still maintain their tribal and clan history. Gounder caste generally have 68 clan groups among them. Most of the Kongu Vellalar Kootams have Sangam Tamil period names, named after the famous chieftains, Kings or a dynasty from which they descended. They are mostly from the Chola, Chera and Ganga dynasties from which most of the Kootams descended. Some of them are traditionally vegetarians and abstain from taking meat at all times. There is also one Pandian and Kadava (related to Pallava) kootam. People belonging to the same Kulam/Kootam usually will not intermarry. They are considered as brothers and sisters. Each Kulam/Kootam has its own Kulaguru and Kuladeivam or Ishta deivam. In temples, it is a common practice to pray their divine idols which is specific to a Koottam/Kulam.

There are certain small sub groups who also follow the same customs and are also called by the same name among the Gounders which are getting amalgamated nowadays into the mainstream, some of the differences are Nattu Gounders also known as Oor Gounders = Gounders who were rulers of Nadus where Gounder population is thin and normal Oor Gounders.They are sub-divided into the Sendhalais (red-headed men), Padaithalais (leaders of armies), Vellikkai (the silver hands), Pavalamkatti (wearers of coral), Malaiyadi (foot of the hills), Tollakadu (ears with big holes), Attangarais (river bank) and others.

Narambukatti Gounders (Vadakarai vellalars) = of north and south of river Bhavani (Mostly around Gobi). Padaithalai Gounders (commanders in the army). Sendhalai Gounders (Coimbatore and Erode region). Irumudi Gounders - Vellala Gounders = Gounders who fell under two rulers and proper Kongu respectively. Vellikkai Vellalars found mostly in Krishnagiri, Pochampalli, Dharmapuri, Palakodu, Hosur and Rayakottai Taluks of erstwhile Dharmapuri District and in few villages in Alangayam Firka of Vaniyambadi Taluk in Vellore District. Some kulam/kootams betray a totemic origin, whereas others appear to be names of lineage founders or place name of the clan's original inhabitance. There are also some clans showing ethnic origins such as Kannadiga and Toda.

From the Clan, Kulam history and the history of the Kongu Vellala Gounders it is quite clear that at one point in history the great Chola warriors and descendants from the family of Chola Kings expanded into the Kongu region, cleared the forests and established agricultural settlements. Certain clans soon distinguished themselves in local battles fought to win the land and to establish agricultural settlements. As a result, the Chola king rewarded them by giving them rights to fine tracks of land. The clans which are named are among the prosperous Gounder caste in Kongu today.Gounders enlisted the help of service class people to carry on their daily lives in their settlements. Hence we have Kongu barbers, Kongu washerman, Kongu carpenter etc,.

Vellalar is originally a warrior, Kshatriya who took up agriculture later as his profession as it is allowed in Hindu dharma under special circumstances to feed the military and feudal apparatus. The whole family of Vellalars works in the field from early morning till evening. Land is dear and God to him and his entire life-cycle centers only around land. Kongu Vellalars are some of the most well organised groups with well intricately arranged socio-cultural hierarchy than any other social group in the whole of Southern India owing to their long history of martial Kshatriya status.

Apparently some of these clan titles are also common with Vettuva Gounders who were previously a hunter gatherer group now moved into farming and agriculture found in the Kongu area. The Kongu Vellalars brought in the Vettuvar tribes, who are descendents of Kannappa Nayanar from the Sri Kalahasti region for deforesting the land. The historical war between Vellala Gounders and Vettuva Gounders is mentioned in the legendary Annamar Swami story where the latter were defeated.

[edit] Surnames or Titles

The Kongu history is very much identified with the four titled families of Kongu Vellala Gounders community. The titled families are:

1) Sankaradamplayam Pattakkarar - (Periya kulam)

2) Puthur Pattakkarar - (Cenkannan kulam)

3) Palayakottai Pattakkarar - (Payiran kulam)

4) Kadaiyur Pattakkarar - (Porulanthi kulam)

They had large tracts of land and also acted as final courts of appeal in their domains. Their titles (Pattams) were directly granted from the Kings. All the four families lived in the central part of Kongu region.

The Royal Sankaradampalayam Pattakkarars also known as the "Vaenadudeyars" is the traditional head of the "Gounders" and they have Kingship tradition. They are much respected and revered of all the "Pattakarars" among the Kongu people since ancient times. The "Vaenadudeyars" meaning (Vel+ Nadu+ Udaiyar) historically Velnadu was the region around ancient Uraiyur (not to be confused with "Velanadu" of the Telugu Cholas) near the seat of the Cholas. The first of their many titles is "Chetti Vaenu Udaiyars" which was bestowed after they were asked to bring back Chettinad under the Cholan King, who then proceeded to grant the whole of tribute from Chettinad to the "Vaenududeyars" and asked him to rule the "Chettis" as his subject and that continued for a while. They usually carry a "Regal staff" as a sign of respect over their word and authority which was traditionally much respected by the people. Their sovereignity over the independent country "Nadu" which they ruled was much respected and honored by all the Moovendar Chera, Chola, Pandiya Tamil Kings and also by the Dravidian Pallava and Vijayanagar empires of South India. The Sankaradampalayam Pattakkarar was also bestowed an honorific title by then Vijayanagar Kings in as late as the sixteenth century 16th century A.D.

The people of the Kongu Vellala Gounder community have two Titles in general:

1) The caste title, which is Goundan or Gounder. Some use honorary titles like Sankaradampalayam Pattakkarar (from Periya kulam), they also have another honorific title "Vaenadudeyar" (Sankarandampalayam) bestowed upon by the ancient Chola empire which also recognized by the Chera and Pandya Kings, Mandradiar (the Pattakarar of Palayakottai), Vanavarayar (the Zamin of Samathur), Kalingarayar (Uthukuli), Pallavarayar (Kangayampalayam near Kangeyam) , Palayakottai Pattakkarar (Payira kulam), Katayur Pattakkarar (Porulanthi kulam), Puthur Pattakkarar (Cenkannan kulam) and Kangeyan.

2) The clan or Kulam, Kootam name, which is the surname generally like Periya kulam, Cenkannan, Payiran, Porunlanthi and other 64 more kulam, kootam.

Many of the tiles are mentioned in the history based novel Ponniyin Selvan by Kalki. Castes like the Padayachi Gounders, Vettuva Gounders, Vokkaliga Gounders and Kurumba Gounders have assumed the "title" for the sake of respect though they are not generally referred as "Gounders" in history. There need to be enough caution among the Gounders regarding this.

Nowadays it is a general practise among the Gounder community not to use any kulam, kootam, gotra or caste titles in social functions as a mark of principle.

[edit] Education and Gounders

The "non-converting" Hindu castes like Gounders, initially had to face enormous amount of hardship and withstand pressure from evangelists, to get decent western education even after India was freed from the colonial British rule. They didn't get any of the previlages that were extended by the evanagelists and missionaries, who were running the most number of educational institutions across the nation, to the easily "convertable" castes especially from the southernmost districts of Tamilnadu. The non-convertable Hindu caste like Gounders were left ignorant at a time when the creamy layer among the convertables started getting educated overseas in foreign countries and also were running their own community based banks much on the lines of the western banks.

As an agricultural community Gounders were largely left untouched by the modern western scientific education until India's independence in 1947. After independence, slowly public education was made available in the rural areas. Many Gounders enrolled for the public school system and sent their children to schools hoping to give them eventually a college education and a prestigious job in the Government. As the school standard in the rural area was no match for the urban schools and only a minor percentage among them could eventually get quality professional education and could become professionals like doctors, engineers, lawyers and others.

Until 1970s the Gounders were treated as "Forward class" in the educational field and government job opportunities. Although Gounders owned land, the mostly rural school educated Gounders which were without any decent infrastructure or a well-trained staff could no way compete professionally with the urban convent and missionary schools mostly getting foreign aid. It was also difficult for them to compete with the traditionally well educated "Forward class" castes in competing for the limited professional seats. In 1970s the popular uprising and agitation of the Gounder community throughout the state forced the government to declare "Kongu Vellala Gounder" community to be an educationally "Backward community". This brought a level playing field for them and opened up opportunities which were till then earmarked for the educationally privilaged class and castes.

In the last forty years there have been some significant advancement made by the Gounder community in the field of education. Many Kongu towns are replete with doctors, engineers, lawyers etc. from the Gounder community making best use of the available educational opportunities. Many educational institutes in the Kongu region are well runned and self-managed by the Gounders.

[edit] Kongu Vellala Gounders in America

Our rich heritage is certainly not our destiny. But it is important to pay homage to our Kongu ancestors who had struggled steadfastly for the freedom, welfare and independence of Kongu Nadu and for its people. Although migration of Gounders to North America started in the early sixties, real opportunities in America started in mid and late sixties mainly due to the Vietnam war.

Bleak employment opportunities in India forced many of the first generation of educated gounders to search for employment opportunities in America. Most of the Gounders came to America to pursue higher education and eventually getting a job. Slowly the number of Gounders in United States increased and reached a critical mass and a resulting dilemma owing to the clash of values, culture and civilization. The first meeting of Gounders was held in May 1995 in Columbus, Ohio in America. Many Gounders have also made the crucial journey back to homeland and made significant contributions and made use of their high expertise to their native country in their respective chosen field with a distinction.

[edit] Customs and Religions of the Gounders

The Gounders are followers of the traditional form of Saiva Siddhanta Hinduism. In earlier times a sizeable population followed seems to have followed Jainism (temples are found even today at Vijayamangalam, Jinapuram, Vellode, Perundurai, Palani, Aivarmalai and Poondurai) and later reconverted by the Siddhar traditions (most of the Siddhars lived in Kongunadu). The Gounders follow the system of Kootam in which persons from the same Kootam do not marry one another as they are considered to have descended from the same ancestor. Each Kootam has its own Kulaguru (or popularly saamiar- a [brahmin] - for example, the kulaguru of Melkarai Poonthurai Nadu kootam is Pasur Akilanda Dikshitar), who is traditionally respected. Every Kootam also has one or more Kuladeivams or a Clan Deities.

Some of the different customs followed by the pious, observant Gounder families are:

1) Ancient, Pre-historical Tamil vestiges ( reverence for Tamil language, feeding the Tamil scholars, Puzhavars with milk and fruit mash, worship of demi-gods, moi virunthu, etc.,

2) Samana (Jain) vestiges (eating before dark, white saree (vella seelai) for widows, preference for white dress, cooking meat outside the house, etc.,

3) Kshatriya vestiges (Gotra system, Annamar vazhipadu (hunter-warrior conflict), Kannimar Vazhipadu (sapta kanyas), Udankattaiyeral (sati), Kuladeivam, Kulaguru, benovalence, marriage customs, holding the marriage ceremony in the bride's house, giving handicapped children to Modavandis thereby eliminating weak genes, etc.,

[edit] Demography

The traditional Gounder belt is the western region of Tamilnadu known as Kongu Nadu. This area now comprises the following regions in the western part of Tamil Nadu: Coimbatore, Erode, Gobi, Tirupur, Pollachi, Nilgiris, Udumalaipettai, Sathy, Salem, Attur, Kallakurichi, Karur, Namakkal, Rasipuram, Thiruchengode, Palani, Dharapuram, Kangeyam, Avinashi, Omalur, Dharmapuri, Hosur, Sankagiri, Krishnagiri, northern Dindigul, western parts of Tiruchirapalli, Perambalur, Vellore and Villupuram. They are also sparsely distributed in Thanjavur, Madurai and Theni districts of Tamil Nadu.

Kongu Vellalars are one of the Tamil Speaking majority communities in Tamil Nadu. They are also spread across the globe ranging from Srilanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, America, Australia, Europe, Fiji, South Africa and many other countries abroad.

The vital statistics on Kongu Vellalar community shows that they have the lowest fertility rates (total fertility rates (TFR) and gross reproduction rates (GRR), among all communities in India.The Gounders have however reached this level coming down from 1/4th of the total state popualtion during the British Raj. They adopted family planning very much earlier even before the Indian Government started advising small families. For the last 30 years, 90% of their families do not have more than two children. Today you can see single child families in thousands of Gounder families. In the country where reservation is offered on numerical strength, this community suffers on the policy.

Economic & Political weekly had published articles confirming this statistics wherein the lowest fertility rates in Coimbatore and Erode districts of Tamil Nadu showed the lowest in the country and to some extent equal and lower than that of fertility rates in America. But no recognition has been given to the community on this front though Census records are available. The government of India census wants to keep its people ignorant on this aspect[citation needed] though every community wants their quotas in educational institutions and employment.Thus Gounders are silently slipping into political and demographic doom though outwardly they seem to prosper. We have to remember that no government eternally is steady to guarantee safety and there is always a safety in numbers. Concerned scientists have warned the community to have at least two children per family to maintain steady trends.

Recently, Kongu Vellalar Gounders started a political party, Kongunadu Munnetra Peravai, KMP in February 2009 and will contest in 12 Lok Sabha constituencies and 50 Legislative Assembly seats in the regions of Coimbatore, Gobichettipalayam, Tirupur, Nilgiris, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, and Dindigul in the western belt of Tamil Nadu.

[edit] Marriage tradition of Kongu Vellala Gounders

The marriage rites of Kongu Vellalar are ancient and stands as testimony to their cultured upbringing and grooming. Their marriage customs are unique amongst other communities in Tamil Nadu. The Kongu Vellalars were of great support to the King by assisting with their own army. They also held high positions such as chieftains, army generals and ministers of Chera and Chola empires.The Chera kings are of Gounder origin (lineage Cheran kootam) which lives mostly near the seat of the Cheras, the ancient city of Vanchi, modern day Karur.


Hence rites relating to government administration and war find their places in Kongu Vellalar marriages. The events such as bridegroom riding a horse in olden days, giving gifts and presents including weapons are examples of the above. The main occupation of Kongu Vellalar became agriculture and they excelled in it by their sheer hard work, tenacity and dedication for which they are known. Hence agriculture related rites such as boiling paddy and seer koodai formed part of the marriage rites of Kongu Vellalar.

Gounders marry outside their Kulam/Kootam and are renowned for their elaborate three-day marriage extravaganzas.Kongu Vellalar do not conduct marriages in the months of Aadi and maargazhi. Generally, they do not choose even Chithirai for conducting the marriage. Marriages are held mostly in the months of Vaikaasi, Aani and Asvani taking into consideration the fact that the season will be good during these months and also jasmine flower of lovable fragrance which is required in large quantities for the marriage, will be available in plenty during this season.

The First day event: The first day event is called Naal virundhu. On this day, close relatives of the bride and bridegroom will host feasts for the bride’s family and bridegroom’s family respectively.

The Second day event: On the second day, marriage arrangements will be done by bringing together all relatives. Events such as erection of pandhal (temporary shed), cutting of Muhurtha Kaal, hairdressing of bridegroom by kudimagan, informing the marriage event to village community by drum beating, hosting of feast for the relatives in the bride’s family as well as bridegroom’s family, bridegroom leaving for the bride’s house will take place on the second day.

The Third day event: The Muhurtham will take place on third day. The bride and the bridegroom will be seated on the marriage platform on completion of appropriate rites. The Thaali (Mangala naan) will be tied by the bridegroom around the bride’s neck and one can see the famous Kongu Mangala Vaazhthu song being recited only at their weddings.

The marriage events will come to a close with the serving of a grand feast to all relatives, friends and neighbours. The marriage events will be performed by a respected elderly person of the community.

The Mangal Vaazthu song of the Kongu Vellalars is an extremely beautiful song in chaste Tamil and was written by the great Tamil poet Kamban in honour of the Kongu Vellalars.[1]

[edit] Culture

The Kongu culture is reflected more in its folklore. Folklore is an archive of human civilization along with other forms of oral tradition like story telling. It consists of customs, beliefs, value systems, festivals and rituals of a Community. And tells about their morals, ideals, values and dharma for which they lived. It also reflects its greatness and shortcomings. Kula Puranams are the chief folkloristic expressions found in many communities in South India. The Annanmar Swami Kathai is considered the national literature of Kongu Nadu. The Ponnar Shankar epic tells the story of the historic war between the Vellalars and Vettuvans. It was popularized by Sakthikkanal at the regional level and by the American Anthropologist Brenda E.F. Beck at the international level. Kunnudiak Kavundan, Thamarai Nachiar, Ponnar, Sankar and Thangam represent the kind of human beings we see in every age & in every society. The valour, heroism, social concern & the sacrifice of the brothers Ponnar Sankar still inspire and guide thousands of people living in and outside Kongu region. Visiting Valanadu Fort - where the warrior brothers are believed to have lived and ruled, Virappur - where Peria Kandi Amman Temple the clan deity of Annanmars is located and Padugalam where the sister Thangam revived her dead brothers with her divine power is considered to be a holy task cutting across caste and creed.

[edit] Prominent Kongu Vellala Gounders

The Kongu region flourishes mainly due to their extreme hard work, commitment, objective nature and innovation in their fields.

1) Agriculture, Textiles (Kumarapalayam, Attur, Coimbatore, Tirupur, Pallipalayam, Tiruchengode, Salem, Rasipuram, Namakkal, Karur, Gobi, Kallakurichi),

2) White silk (Gobi - First automated silk reeling unit in the country),

3) Poultry (Namakkal),

4) Education (Erode, Rasipuram, Tiruchengode, Gobi, Namakkal, Coimbatore, Salem),

5) Automobiles (Namakkal, Tiruchengode, Salem),

6) Milk (Erode Aavin),

7) Edible Oils (Erode),

8) Turmeric (Erode has the largest market in South India).

Kongunadu region has the highest urban proportion in the State and contributes 2/3rd of Tamilnadu's income.

Following is a list of prominent and well known Kongu Vellalars:

[edit] Historical Personalities

  • Cheraman Perumal - a Chera King who ruled from Karur and later became a devoted Saivite nayanmar .
  • Kulasekara Alvar:one of the twelve azhwar saints. ref: கொங்கர்கோன் குலசேகரன் சொன்ன சொல் (நாலாயிர திவ்ய பிரபந்தம், பாடல்:அழகிய மணவாளன்பால் பித்தன் எனல் - 9.3).
  • Kalingarayan: Born Lingaya Gounder (1240 A.D.), Constructed the Kalingarayan Canal in Erode region.

[edit] Freedom fighters, Leaders

[edit] Politics

Kongu Nadu and Kongu Vellala Gounders have been consistently ignored by the successive governments that took power both at the Centre and State for a long time now prompting them to start their own Political forum to represent and address their genuine greviances and find solutions themselves.[citation needed]

[edit] Literature

  • V. C. Kulandaiswamy: Academician and renowned author. Padma Shri(1992), Padma Bhushan (2002).
  • M.P. Periasamy Thooran: Musician, Chief Editor, Tamil Encyclopaedia (1948-1978), Padma Bhushan (1968)
  • Silamboli S.Chellappan[2]: Receipient of several awards including Kalaimamani award for his contribution to tamil literature

[edit] Academic, Science and Technology

[edit] Civil Services

[edit] Cinema Industry

[edit] Sports

[edit] Spiritual

[edit] Industrialists

Posted by at 4 comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)