C. Rajagopalachari · Subramanya Bharathi · Ramana Maharishi R._Venkatraman · Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer · Indra Nooyi · Vishwanathan Anand |
| Total population |
|---|
| 2004:~ 2,400,000 (Estimated)[1] |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh |
| Languages |
|
Tamil |
| Religion |
| Related ethnic groups |
Tamil Brahmins are Tamil-speaking Brahmins from Tamil Nadu who have settled in other South Indian states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. They can be broadly divided into three religious groups, Gurukkals who follow Saivism, Iyers or Smarthas and Iyengars who follow Sri Vaishnavism.
Contents |
There have been evidences of Brahmin presence in the southern states even prior to the Sangam Age. According to P. T. Srinivasa Iyengar, the sages Apastamba and Baudhayana whose sūtras or legislations are followed today by Tamil Brahmins lived in the Telugu-speaking territories to the immediate north of the Tamil country even before the Sangam period.[2] The 2nd century AD literary work Paṭṭiṉappālai written by the Brahmin poet Uruttirangannanar (Kannan, son of Rudra) records the presence of Brahmins and Vedic rites in Karikala's kingdom. The Akanaṉūṟu refers to a vela-parppan or a Brahmin who does not perform Vedic sacrifices. Similarly, other literary works of the Sangam period like the Silappatikaram, Manimekalai and Kuṟuntokai also allude to the presence of Brahmins in the Tamil country. The influence of Brahmins and Indo-Aryan culture, however, began to grow rapidly only during the last centuries of the Sangam period.
Large scale migrations are generally believed to have occurred between 200 and 1600 AD and most Tamil Brahmins are believed to have descended from these migrants.[3][4][5][6] However, this theory has come under attack in recent times from historians and anthropologists who question the validity of this theory due to lack of evidence.[7][8][9] [10] During the early medieval period, when Ramanuja founded Vaishnavism many Iyers adopted the new philosophical affiliation and were called Iyengars.[11] According to Hindu legend, the sage Agastya is believed to be the first Brahmin to settle in South India.[12] Agatysa is believed to have set up his abode on Podhigai hill near Madurai therevy becoming the first Tamil Brahmin. .[12]
The Valluvars are believed to be the descendants of the earliest priests of the Tamil country.[13]
There is also ample evidence to suggest that a large number of individuals of non-Brahmin communities could have been invested with the sacred thread and ordained as temple priests.[14][15]
Though, Tamil Brahmins have been classified as a left-hand caste in ancient times,[6] Schoebel, in his book History of the Origin and Development of Indian Castes published in 1884, spoke of Tamil Brahmins as "Mahajanam" and regarded them, along with foreign migrants, as outside the dual left and right-hand caste divisions of Tamil Nadu.[6]
Tamil Brahmins are divided into three groups -- Gurukkals, Iyers and Iyengars. Iyers form the majority of the Tamil Brahmin population and are Smarthas, while Iyengars are Vaishnavas and Gurukkals are Saivas.
Iyers are Smartha Brahmins, most of whom follow the Advaita philosophy propounded by Adi Shankara.[16][17][18][19][20][21] and are concentrated mainly along the Cauvery Delta districts of Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur [22][23] and Tiruchirapalli where they form almost 10% of the total population.[24][25] They are also found in significant numbers in Chennai,[26][27] Madurai, Tirunelveli and Ambasamudram.
Iyengars follow the Visishtadvaita philosophy propounded by Sri Ramanujacharya.[18] They are found mostly in Tamil Nadu as they are generally native to the Tamil country. They are divided into two sub-sects 'Vadakalai' (Northern system) and Thenkalai (Southern system).
The sect of Sivāchārya or Gurukkal (Tamil: குருக்கள்்்) form the hereditary priesthood or in the Siva and Sakthi temples in Tamil Nadu. They are Saivites and adhere to the philosophy of Shaiva Siddhanta . They are well versed in Agama Sasthras and follow the Agamic rituals of these temples. Because of these cultural differences, intermarriages with other Tamil Brahmanas is rare even to this date. Gurukkals are sub-divided into Tiruvalangad, Conjeevaram and Thirukkazhukunram.
As per the Hindu law books and religious scriptures, Brahmins were expected to lead a spiritual life and devote their lives either to the study and propagation of Vedas and Hindu scriptures or function as temple or household priests. However, there have been evidence that Tamil Brahmins have been involved in other occupations even during the Sangam period. The Akanaṉūṟu refers to a vela-parppan or a Brahmin who does not perform Vedic sacrifices. The Silappadhikkaram records the presence of Brahmin ministrels and musicians. The inscriptions of the Later Chola period records that a significant proportion of the Brahmin community of the village of Ennayiram was involved in trade. Brahmins fought in large numbers in the Later Chola army and there were a number of Brahmin civil servants in the Chola administration. Some of them rose to become Senapathis or army generals.