Mudaliar

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Mudaliar also Mudaliyar, Mudali, Moodley is a title used by people belonging to various castes originally from Tamil Nadu and in the Tamil diaspora. Some castes are forward-caste while most are backward-caste. Mudaliars are usually more financially well off than other communities. Mudaliars also tend not to marry outside their community. Most Mudaliars are pure Tamilians with Tamil as their native language. Due to the strong interaction of Mudaliars with Telugus some people confuse them with Telugus. Mudaliars acquiring Brahmin accent and Telugu accent is mainly due to their strong interaction with various groups in the past.

Contents

[edit] Origin

In ancient times, cultivation in South India was spread by force, people would move into virgin land which was used by tribal people for slash and burn agriculture or for hunting and convert it into prime agricultural land. These raids were organised and carried out by chieftains, feudal lords and agricultural landlords called Vellalars.[1],[2],[3]. Vellalars are agricultural landlords and inhabitants of the "marutha nilam" (one of the five lands advocated by the Sangam literature).


Mudaliar, like Pillai is a title conferred upon prominent Vellalar chieftains and feudal lords by the King depending upon the Tamil Kingdom. More specifically, the Vellalars of Thondaimandalam or the Pallava Kingdom were given the title Mudaliar, while the Vellalars of Pandya and Chola Kingdoms were given the title Pillai [1], [2]

[edit] Mudaliars as Vellalas and sanskritization of other castes

During cultural diversification, the Vellalars of TamilNadu can be classified into layers. The first layer consists of Saiva Vellalars (Saiva Vellala Mudaliars and Pillais). They are strict vegetarians, literate and sophisticated like Brahmins but do not perform priestly duties. They were major landlords, feudal lords and powerful like Rajputs and Thakurs of Northern India. Saiva Vellalars of the Thondaimandalam became the Thondaimandala vellalars Mudaliars. This area includes the present day areas of Chennai, Chengalpet, Kanchipuram, Vellore, Cadalore, Arcot, Vadalore, Thrivannamalai, etc.[1],[2]

The second layer consists of a number of unique castes, which do not intermarry at all like Pandia Vellalar,(Madurai) Chozhia Vellalar, those who inhabited the areas of Chola (Thichy, Thanjavur, and Pudukottai) and Pandiya mandalams (Madurai, Thuthukudi, Kanyakumari, and Nagerkovil) became the Shoziya Vellar (or "Chola Velar") and Pandiya Vellar respectively. These communities use Mudaliar, Pillai titles.[1],[2]

In recent times, due to the process of "sanskritization" a number of backward castes[4], [5] have taken up the Mudaliar title for the purpose of social upliftment. This is discussed below.

Agamudaiyar, a caste belonging to the Mukkulathor community -generally use Devar as surname- moved to northern TamilNadu and assumed a identity for social upliftment in the Tamil caste society. "Kallarum, Maravarum, Agamudaiyarum mella mella vanthu vellalar anaarkal"- so goes the saying in Tamil, that is Kallar or thieves (as in spies not to be confused with common thief), supported the rulers and became soldiers or Maravar, learned and earned and became home owners or Agamudaiyar and eventually became very cultured and respectable in the society and were called Vellalars eventually.[1]

Similarly, the Sengunthars, who were warriors in the Chola army and later weavers started using the Mudaliar / Pillai surname after becoming economically powerful.

Therefore, even though 90% of the Tamil Vellalas have Pillai, Mudaliar surnames, it should be remembered that not all Mudaliars, Pillais are Vellalas. The vice versa is also true — thus sometimes some Vellalas have other surnames like Chettiar, Nayakar, and so on.

[edit] Various castes using the "Mudaliar" title

A brief description of various castes using the title Mudaliar is given below.

[edit] Thondaimandala Saiva Vellalar

The Thondaimandala Saiva Vellala Mudaliars are forward-caste and are strict vegetarians. They were feudal lords, major landowners in Thondaimandalam area which includes the present day areas of Chennai, Chengalpet, Kanchipuram, Vellore etc. A significant population of Thondaimandala Saiva Vellala Mudaliars have also migrated to other areas such as Madurai, Tirunelveli etc. They are endogamous and inter-marriage with other Mudaliars is quite rare. During the Chola reign in South India, King Karikala Chola annexed some portions of Thondai Nadu and settled one of the very first communities of Saiva Vellala Mudaliars there [6]. Their mother tongue is Tamil[1], [3] and not Telugu. They're not to be confused with Vellalars in Karnataka/ Andhra etc.

[edit] Agamudayar/Arcot/Thuluva Vellala

The Adamudayars Agamudayar actually belong to the Mukkulathor community, which also includes the Kallars and Maravars. These three communities (as the name "Mukkulathor" — meaning three communities — have Devar as their surname. But later the Agamudaiyars (the most upward community among the three) slowly migrated towards the northern part of Tamil Nadu, settled there, changed their caste name to Thuluva Vellala. So in reality Thuluva vellalar is just the renaming of Agamudayar and hence are classified as one by the TN goverment. Inter caste marriage in ancient days was not possible. So intermingling of on a large scale between two distinct communities is very unlikely and has no historical evidence. So the idea that Agamudaiyar ( who are related to Maravar and Kallar ) went to North and started marrying into Thuluva Vellalas is not acceptable. The Agamudaiyars changed their name to Thuluva Vellala, which is similar to Konnars becoming Yadava, Pallars becoming Devendra Kula Vellalar and Chanar becoming Nadar in recent history. One of high interest is Arcot mudaliar who intermarry freely with Agamudayar/Thuluva Vellala. However their caste name does not appear in the TN caste list. So Arcot should be just another name that Agamudayar used when they moved to the north.

[edit] Sengunthar/Kaikolar

The Sengunthars, who were originally warriors (Kshatriyas) in the Chola army later took to weaving over the ages. Yet, a huge section are also land owners and business men. They form a significant population in Kancheepuram,Tirupur,Gudiyattam and Salem. They started using Mudaliar surname even though there is no established date on when they started using the title. It should be noted that Sengunthars rarely intermarry with other Mudaliars, Pillai or any other different caste or title even though they may reside in the same area as other Mudaliars.

[edit] Trivia

  • Mudaliars of Bangalore- Mudaliars constitute a significant percentage of the population in South Bangalore (surrounding Ulsoor Lake, MG Road, High grounds). Many well-known buildings on MG Road & surrounding were once owned by Mudaliars (e.g - Gangaram's, Plaza Cinema). The famous "Attara Kachheri" or the red court house that stands opposite of Vidhana Sauda was built by Rai Bahadur Arcot Narayansamy Mudaliar. Palatial homes surrounding Windsor Manor (5 star hotel) are even today owned & inhabited by affluent Mudaliar families. The Bangalore Exhibition is usually conducted on the RBANMS grounds in Ulsoor which owned by Rai Bahadur Arcot Narayansamy Mudaliar trust. The trust has several schools and colleges affiliated to it.
  • Mudaliars of Hyderabad- Mudaliars live in significant numbers in the areas of Boiguda, Padma Rao Nagar, Maredpalli in Secunderabad. They run a popular girls school called "Keys High's School" in addition to some colleges. A popular residential area called "Padma Rao Nagar" is named after late. Dewan Bahadur Padma Rao Mudaliar.
  • Mudaliars of Sri Lanka- Mudaliars live in significant numbers in various areas of Sri Lanka. People of different caste can become Mudaliyars even though originally Mudaliars was a homogenous caste group. Mudaliyar transformed from a caste name to a title due to the nature of political development which promoted Mudaliyars to positions of leadership. Soon all leaders had to take the name of Mudaliyar.
  • Historical Gatti Mudaliars of Salem/Omalur as Feudal Lords

The Gatti Mudaliars were in charge of the most dangerously exposed province of the Nayak Kingdom with Kaveripuram on the right bank of the Cauvery as their strategic capital commencing one of the principal passes to the Mysore Plateau. The centre of their power seems, however, to have been Taramangalam where they have built a grant edifice of a temple. It is said their domination extended as far as Thalaivasal to the east, Dharapuram in Erode district in the west and Karur district in the south. The forts of greatest strategic importance held by the Gatti Mudaliars were Omalur and Attur. By about 1635 A.D., the Muslim Sultans of Bijapur and Golkonda made in roads into the south when the power of Tirumalai Nayak had wanted palacode area came under Bijapur. Meanwhile Kantirava narasa Raja of Serangapatnam took several places in Coimbatore from Gatti Mudaliars in 1641 A.D.

Mudaliars were prominent in the anti-Brahmin Dravidian movement during the early years, but no longer play a significant part in Dravidian politics.

[edit] Notable Mudaliars

[edit] Arts

  • Bharathidasan (1891-1964) Tamil Poet
  • Pammal Sambandam Mudaliar: Tamil movie director and actor of early 20th century.
  • Nataraja Mudaliar: First Person to Produce and direct a Movie in South India-(1917)
  • N Veerasamy: Kannada movie producer who introduced Dr. Rajkumar to films.
  • V Ravichandran: Kannada movie star, son of N Veerasamy.
  • K Vijayabhaskar: Kannada film music director.
  • Judo KK Ratinam : Stunt master in Tamil and other cine field
  • K S Ravi kumar: Tamil film director.
  • Goundamani: Tamil comedian.
  • Prashanth: Tamil actor.
  • SP Parameswaran: Tamil Actor.

[edit] Business

  • A.L. Mudaliar: Former Bata India Chairman and Director.

[edit] Education

  • Sir. A. Ramaswami Mudaliar: Mayor of Madras(1928-30), Member-Advisor in High Level "War Committee" formed by the British PM Sir.Winson Churchill during the World Wars, Member-Advisor in all the 3 London-Round Table Conferences(1930,'31,'32);Commerce member of the Viceroy's Council;Indian Representative & Leader in U.N.in 1945 and his efforts put India as a Member Nation in the U.N.; Chief of U.N. Finance Committee; Diwan of Mysore(1946-49) and his efforts put Mysore in joining the Indian Union in 1949; Vice Chancellor of University of Kerala(1951-61),Travancore ; Chairman-The Shipping Corporation of India; FOUNDER Chairman & Managing Director of ICICI (1955) -Industrial Credits & Investment Corporation of India.
  • Dr. A. Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar: First Indian principal of the Madras Medical College, Served as Chairman-UNESCO; Vice Chancellor,University of Madras for the Longest Tenure of 27 Yrs; Chairman-W.H.O,Younger Twin Brother of Sir.A.Ramaswami Mudaliar.
  • Dr. V.C.Balasubramaniam (VCB): Retired Director, Institute of Pathology, MMC, Past Master of Masonic Lodge. Saiva Vellalar.
  • V.L Ethiraj Mudaliar: Founder of Ethiraj College for Women
  • Prof. Dr. P. R. Rangawami: Principal, Pachaiyappa's College, Chennai; Chairman-Teacher's Selection Committee,Kendriya Vidhyalaya Central Schools-IIT,Madras; Member-Advisor in the Student's Reforms Committee set-up by TN Chief Minister C.N.Anna; Very Popular Student Leader of Tamil Nadu during 1965-70; Served as Chairman/Gen Secretary of Pachaiyappa's College Student's Union and Leader of Anti-Hindi Agitation which led the DMK Capturing Power in the state of TamilNadu in 1967; Mentor & Leader of various forums in Tamil Nadu; Nominated as Leader in various Forums on Human Rights and Human Values & Ethics by the D.K leader Veeramani; Close ally of leaders K.Veeramani,Vaiko,M.Natrajan.
  • Dr. M Murugesh Mudaliar: Principal, BMS College of Engineering, Bangalore.
  • Arunchalam Mudaliar: Founder Murugappa Group.
  • A.D.Raj Kumar: Formerly, Vice Principal, University College of Engineering, Osmania University. Presently (2005 onwards), Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Osmania University, 1st Phd holder in Electrical Engineering from Osmania University.

[edit] Freedom Fighter

[edit] Government

  • Politics
    • C N Annadurai: Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu & Founder DMK.
    • V. Kalyanasundaram: Author and trade union Leader (Thiru. Vi. Ka).
    • P Shanmugam: Former Chief Minister of Pondicherry State and present State Congress Chief.
    • Bakthavatsalam: Former Chief Minister of Tamilnadu, India. (1963-1967)
    • O V Alagesan: Former Union Minister of India.
    • V R Nedunchezhiyan: Former Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu and Former Intermin Chief minister of Tamilnadu and DMK Leader.
    • K Anbazhagan: Former Education Minister of Tamil Nadu and DMK Leader, Current Finance Minister.
    • P T Rajan: Former Minister of Tamil Nadu, Leader Justice Party.
    • PTR Palanivel Rajan: Former Speaker of Tamil Nadu Assembly, Late Endowment Minister of Tamilnadu, India.
    • Damodaran: Current Minister of Tamil Nadu, India.
    • Jayanthi Natarajan: Former Union Minister of India.
    • Lalith Athulathmudali Former Minister of SriLanka.
  • Civil Service
    • T. L. Sankar: IAS Officer, Former Chairman A.P.S.E.B, Former Principal Administrative Staff College of India
    • K. V. Kannapa Mudaliar: IAS Officer
    • K. Kumaraswamy: IPS Officer
  • Judicial
    • S Natarajan: Former India's Supreme Court Justice.
  • Social Service
    • M B Nirmal: Founder of EXNORA International - Chennai.
    • Dharmarathnakara Rai Bahadur Arcot Narrainswamy Mudaliar: Founder of RBANMS High School in Bangalore.
  • Army
    • Commander V.S.P. Mudaliar: Vice-President of the Indian Ex-Service League.

[edit] Religion

[edit] UnderWorld

  • Varadharajan Mudaliar: Known as Vardha Bhai; former prominent underworld kingpin of 70s. Tamil movie Nayagan was based on his life story. Thanks to the introduction of prohibition after Independence, bootlegging became a thriving business. Illicit trade in liquor attracted the covetous attention of hitherto loosely mobilised street gangs. Thus, the seeds of organised criminal activity were sown in India's commercial capital. The first of the recognised gangsters in Bombay was Vardharaj Mudaliar, popularly known as Vardha Bhai. He ruled the roost for over a decade by organising bootlegging in a systematic manner, and spreading a protective umbrella over several lesser gangs dealing in illicit liquor. He soon diversified his activities: Gold smuggling, matka gambling, extortion and supari killings. Mudaliar had to flee Bombay under relentless police pressure.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f http://www.saivaneri.org/keralal-pillai-history.html
  2. ^ a b c d Castes & Tribes of South India - ET.Thurston, VII 361
  3. ^ a b http://dino-latchmi.tripod.com/id12.html
  4. ^ http://www.tn.gov.in/bcmbcmw/bclist.htm
  5. ^ http://ncbc.nic.in/backward-classes/ap.html
  6. ^ http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/09/03/stories/2004090300780600.htm
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