Udayar (title)

Udaiyar (Tamil: உடையார்) is a title used by different communities originating in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu such as Agamudayars[1], Nathamannar and Parkavakulam comunities. The Tamil term was frequently used by the Tamil country chiefs and was found occasionally among the titles of ancient rulers in inscriptions.

Etymology

Udayar' is an ancient title which has been used to connote authority, sanctity, wealth, and power in the person or god to whom the appellation is given. 'Udayar' therefore is more usefully understood as a caste title than as a name denoting only a specific caste.[2]. Kannada Poligars was originally deemed to be Wodeyar[3]

References

  1. ^ Caste, nationalism and ethnicity: an interpretation of Tamil cultural and social order by Jacob Pandian
  2. ^ Contributions to Indian sociology , Volume 10
  3. ^ B. C. Law volume , Volume 1 by Devadatta Ramakrishna Bhandarkar