Vettaikaranpudur
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Vettaikaranpudur
Tamil Nadu, India |
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| District(s) | Coimbatore |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Population | 17,594 (2001) |
Vettaikaranpudur is a panchayat town in Coimbatore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
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[edit] Location
Vettaikaranpudur is a village located 16 km from Pollachi in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India. It is 2 km from Anaimalai, which is famous for its Arulmigu Masani Amman Temple [1]. The villages around Vettaikaranpudur are Sethumadai, Kaliapuram, Odayakulam, Devipatinam. Vettaikaranpudur is enroute to Topslip (Anaimalai Wildlife Sanctuary) from Pollachi.
[edit] Transportation
Vettaikaranpudur is well connected to Pollachi, Topslip, Palani. Frequent government and private buses ply between Pollachi and this place. It takes approximately 30 minutes to travel by bus from Pollachi.
[edit] Movie world connection
The scenic beauty of this village has made it an ideal out door location for the filming of several Kollywood movies. Several block busters including Muratu Kaalai, Sakalakalavalan, Chinna Gounder, Suryavamsam were filmed here.
[edit] Agriculture
Traditionally the farming community of this village relied on the cultivation of rice, sugarcane, cereals and peanut. It was during the early eighties that a coconut revolution in the region was triggered by the late V.Janakaraj Gounder. Since then the entire region has become one of the largest coconut growing hub in India. Vanilla cultivation has gained popularity of late. The enormous wealth generated and the lavish lifestyle lead by several landlords and their connections with the film doyen Sivaji Ganesan is well known in Tamil Nadu.
[edit] Infrastructure
The village has a primary school and a high school. A lot of students from the neighbouring villages travel to Vettaikaranpudur for high school studies. A government veterinary hospital cares for the well being of various domestic animals of which cattle being predominant. The public library acts as a knowledgeable resource. Kala mandapam is a club where inter state volleyball competitions used to be fiercely held. The village at one time even had the luxury of a Tennis court. Alva hospital run by Dr. K.S.Alva caters to the needs of this village and the few hundreds surrounding it. Ananda Stores, a textile shop started by late V.K.Sivanandam Chettiar and now managed by V.K.Kanakasabapathy has been in existence for over 50 years. A fertilizer agency started by V.A.Somasundaram chettiar has been providing the village needs of fertilizer and pesticides for several years. Sasikala tea stall and Bonda Naicker tea stall have been in existence for over 25 years providing 24/7 services to the local community. Senbaga and Abirami theatres have provided a means of entertainment for the thousands who toil the fields everyday. A petrol station next to the high school has been in existence for several years. Several Nadar and chettiar maligai (grocery) shops are present. The village has cable TV facilities and of course a wine shop. The village has some fine gold smiths.
[edit] Cuisine
Rice is the main food. "Kamban soru" and "Rai Kali/koolu" are very popular among the summer months. "Kedaai vettu" and "Kochai kozhi" are to treat family, "Pangalis" (cousins) and friends. "Elaneer" (tender coconut) and "Neer moru" (skimmed butter milk) are consumed in large amounts during summer. During the old days when hunting of wild life was permissible, "Maan" (deer) and "Panni" (wild boar) meat were very popular. "Aaathu meen" (river fish) and "Kulathu meen" (lake fish) are a rare delicacy. During "Guru poojai" in Azhukku Swamiyar temple, a very special "Kanji" (cold cereal broth) is served with chutneys. Mobile bonda/bajji stalls appear in the medu (opposite to Ananda Stores) during the evenings and serve local people hot fast food. Of course the mobile ice cream man (kone ice, kuchi ice, paal ice, semia ice, grape ice) and the "Soan papadi" man deserve mention. During Pongal season, "Motchai" (a type of bean), "Poosanikai" (pumpkin), "Arasanikai", "Senai kilangu" (a tuber) are prominent vegetables. Exotic fruits such as "Nagapalam", "Seenipuliyankai", "Nellikai" (Gooseberries), "Elanthaipalam" are sold door to door. In the bygone days, "Kambar cut", "Jow Mittai", "Thaen mittai", "Kadalai burupi", "Kadalai urundai", "Elanthai vadagam" were favourite snacks among the children and sold by vendors in front of the school.
[edit] Temples
Close to the river, is a shrine for "Azhukku" Swamiyar. Legend has it that this swamiyar lived for several hundred years. The shrine is frequently visited by N. Rangaswamy, the Chief Minister of Pondicherry. The village has several temples, Murugan temple, Kamaatchi amman temple, Vinayagar temple. There is no church or mosque in this village as the population is predominantly Hindus. The few Muslims and Christians in this village visit Anaimalai for religious worship.
[edit] Sports and Games
Senthil Gounder and V.J.Thiagu Gounder are renowned champions in "Rakla" (bullock cart) race. Volleyball has been popular for decades. V.A.Muthumanickam Gounder a close friend of Sivaji Ganesan was a popular volley ball player. Cricket matches are played during the weekend at the high school. Ram Annan (not related to Kofi!) has been a key organizer for several years. Cricket matches played between Vettaikaranpudur and Anaimalai are feverish and can be compared to India versus Pakistan. In the bygone days, hunting used to be a popular sport and often the hunted wild life were paraded on the street. Families owned several dogs for hunting purposes and included the breeds "Kombai" and "Rajapalayam". Games played by children such as "Gundu" (marbles), "Gilli", "Rani thal" (stones) have been substituted with cricket these days. In the olden days "Rummy" (cards) was played at Kala Mandapam. As with sport anywhere in the world, some level of gambling exists here as well. Kids playing "Gundu" gamble on cinema pictures or match box labels.
[edit] Festivals
Pongal in Vettaikaranpudur is a must see. The week long festivities include "Maattu pongal" and "Poo Pongal" which are very colourful. In Medu (heart of the village) several characters lighten up the spirit of the festival. "Kummi" dancers from far come to perform. "Rattan dhuri" (mobile roller coaster) is an attraction for the kids. "Adi nombu" is unique as an organic toy gun made of bamboo "Paputaankulal" in combination with organic bullets (seeds of a plant) yield a powerful sound. "Divali" (Deepavali)is colourful as everyone in the village takes an oil bath with "Arappu" (organic shampoo) and "Seevakai" (organic conditioner) early in the morning and don their new clothes. Sweets such as "Je-lay-pi", "Laddu", "Mysorepakku" and snacks such as "Murukku" are distributed among cousins on this day.
[edit] Younger Generation
With education taking prominence over agriculture in recent years, the highly educated younger generation from this tiny but affluent place are now distributed worldwide including the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai. The "well to do" take pride in sending their children to expensive boarding schools in the Nilgiris. A majority of the youngsters seek placement in Pollachi, Coimbatore and Chennai. The recent commissioning of a few textile mills has supported local employment.
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India censusGRIndia, Vettaikaranpudur had a population of 17,594. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Vettaikaranpudur has an average literacy rate of 53%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 60%, and female literacy is 46%. In Vettaikaranpudur, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
