Ashtagrama Iyer

The Ashtagrama Iyers are a group of Vadama Iyers or South Indian Brahmins with their roots in the Ashtagrama villages situated in the Kolar district of Karnataka.

History

The history of this community is not clearly known, but it is believed that in the early 17th century 8 Brahmins presented themselves in the court of Balaji Baji Rao II, Pradhan, Pune and were, at the time, gifted 8 villages by him. These Brahmins are believed to come from areas such as Trichy, North Arcot and the Tanjavur districts of Tamil Nadu. These Brahmins soon transformed this land from a once poor community, into a well-educated and prosperous one.

Ashtagrama

Ashtagrama (literally,'eight villages') now consists of more than the original 8 villages. The 10 villages, which are located in the Valley of the Palar River, which flows through the Kolar district into Tamil Nadu. These 10 villages are on the North side of the river are Cholagunte, Doddiganahalli, Devarayasamudra, Gangigunte, Honnagaanahalli, Kothamangala, Minijenahalli, Thattangunte, Vijalapura and Yelagundanahalli. The remainder of the villages, Aralakunte, Chamarahalli, Gangapura, Hunkunda and Shillangeri are on the southern side of the river. Though the Iyers form the majority of the population all these villages show communal diversity.

Within the business community, Ashtagram Iyers have been present in all walks of life and are integrated into the fabric of present day Karnataka. Many have migrated abroad to places such as the United States and United Kingdom where they connect with each other as a community. They have also been known to be entrepreneurial and have invested in such things as restaurants, many of them scattered across southern Karnataka.

Major population of Ashtagram Iyers thrive in the Kolar district as well as Bangalore. Their language is handed down through word of mouth and is a combination of Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and even part of Malaylam on occasion due to the relationships with Palakkad Iyers through marriage. Depending on the make up of the family, each family will identify themselved more with being either Tamilian, Kannadiga or Andhrite, though all three are valid due to the diverse nature of the community. A book by the Honorable (late) Shri. Y.M.C.Sharma of Jayanagar, Bangalore was published in both Kannada and English detailing the known history of this community titled "Kolar Iyers".

Customs and beliefs

Most of the customs of the Ashtagrama Iyers remain the same as that of their Iyer counterparts elsewhere but some of them are derived from the Brahmin customs of Karnataka. Most Iyers follow both the solar calendar of Tamil Nadu and the lunar calendar of Karnataka. For example, the lunar tithis are followed for celebrating festivals while the solar day is taken into account for Shraddh or death ceremonies. Similarly, on 14/15 January both Sankranthi and Pongal are celebrated.

Ashtagrama Iyers worship both Lord Shiva and Lord Mahavishnu, celebrating all Hindu festivals.

Language

Ashtagrama Iyers have a good knowledge of Kannada, Tamil and sometimes Telugu (Kolar being on the Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu border). Also a dialect of Tamil is spoken which varies significantly from the way the other Iyers speak.

Not necessarily all Ashtagrama Iyers speak Tamil. Kannada and English are now the predominant languages of the new generation and many have no knowledge of Tamil.

Some examples are:

Pure Tamil How Ashtagrama Iyers say it How other Iyers say it How other Tamils say it English Meaning
Varugireergala? Vareengla? Varela? Vareengala? Are you coming?
Pogireergala? Poreengla? Porela? Poreengala? Are you going?
Engal veetil, Engal Agathil Enga ullale Enga athilae Enga veetla In our house
Yengai? oonga? Yengai? Yengai? where?
Engey poreer Oonga pora Engey porel Engey poringo Where are you going?
Sirithu Nazhigai Konchu Pod Setha Nazhi Konja Neram For some time

List of famous Ashtagrama Iyers

He was the First person from the community,to be honoured with TAMRA PATRA award,byPresident Of India,given in honour of service to nations freedom struggle, on the occasion of silver jubilee of Indian Independence by Government Of India. After independence he contributed in the field of KHADI and GRAMODYOG 


 Role of animals and birds in Hindu mythology.
 Fables from Hindu mythology
 Prophets of all religions and their teachings.
 Indian great spiritual personalities
 Great Men and Women of Puranas

External links