Mudaliyar ......

"It is indeed a desirable thing to be well-descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors" Mudaliar also Mudaliyār, Mudali and Moodley in Tamil language literally means a person of first rank in a feudal society in south India. Thondaimandala Mudaliars or Thondaimandala Saiva Velala Mudaliars are a high ranking sub-caste of the Tondaimandala Vellalars in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Thondaimandala Mudaliar are classified as a Forward caste from Tamil Nadu, India.

 

Etymolgy

 The word Mudaliar means first citizens or first ones and is used to denote a Vellalar subcaste. The word Mudali was also used to refer to a position held in a Nakarattar firm as it applies to other non-Vellalar castes Origin.

 The Chola King Karikala Chola conquered the whole of Thondaimandalam and parcelled it out to the Vellalar Chiefs, now known as the Thondaimandala Mudaliars, after defeating the Aruvalar, a nomadic tribe who were also called the Kurumbar. Karikala The Great divided the Thondaimandalam country into 24 Koddams or districts. The expedition was led by his lieutenant and valiant son Athondai.

 

History

Athondai's Expedition and Vellala Migration

Athondai, the son of Karikala proved to possess heroic qualities. When Karikala wanted to give him a Kingom to rule over, an eye was cast northwards at the Kurumbar Bhumi or Land of Kurumbas. After overthrowing the Kurumbar sovereignity, Athondai sent the news of his victory to his father asking him to send inhabitants from Cholamandalam or the Realm of Cholas to settle in his new country; accordingly 48000 Vellalars migrated to Thondaimandalam. Karikala crowned his son Athondai as the ruler of Thondaimandalam, renaming the Kurumba Bhumi after its emperor. He divided Thondaimandalam into 24 Kottams and parcelled it out to the Vellala Chiefs, awarding them the title Mudali or Mudaliyar literally meaning The first ones. Since then, they have been called the Thondaimandala Mudaliars.

 

Mudi-Sutum Vizha: Right to crown the king

These community members had the privilege of handing over the crown at the time of coronation ceremony (mudi-sootu vizha) of the kings, religious heads etc. This fact can be seen from old Tamil classical literature "Thirukkaivazhakkam" which states "mangaiyoru bhagarkum, madhavarkum, mannavarkum thunga mudiyai sootumkai (the hands that handover the crown to kings/religious heads at the time of coronation ceremony)". In the great Tamil classical literature Kamba-ramayana, Kavi-chakravarthy Kambar stated that "the great sage Vashista took the crown from ancestors of Vallal Sadaiyappa Mudaliar and crowned the King Rama" ("Vennaiyur Sadayan thangal marabulore kodukka-vangi Vasittaney punainthan mauli").

 

Sangam Literature

Pattinappaalai, one of the oldest Tamil works of sangam literature, states that the "saiva-velalar community, known for their piousness, honesty, intelliegence and philanthropy, excelled in farming and trading". It is believed that one "Ekambavanan" of this community from "Aamoor" (Aragalur?)once ruled great Magatha (Magadai?)empire. From "Kanchipuranam," it is learned that once a member of the Velalar community was elected to be the king in "Thirukanchinadu." Ekambavanan was featured in 1947 Tamil movie. It will be of interest to note that even to-day, in the Mudaliars' marriage ceremony, the father-in-law ties the "pattam" (meaning crown) on the fore-head of the bride.

 

Ariyanatha Mudaliar

Ariyanatha Mudaliar, was the Vellala Dalavoy(Chief Office Holder) of the Vijayanagar viceroy Viswanatha Nayaka (1529-64). He took power in the rich Tamaraparani rice lands. He is credited with founding the palayam or smal principalities system ruled by petty chiefs called poligar or palayakarars. He divided the Pandya kingdom in 72 palayams and commanded the 72 dry-zone poligar chiefs. Ariyanatha Mudaliar was not only the pre-colonial military man but also enjoyed a cult status in southern Tamil Nadu and became a tutelary patron figure amongst some of the region's cattle-keeping predator groups.

 

Kottams of Thondaimandalam

Karikala Chola divided the Tondai country into 24 Kottams or districts for administrative purposes. The list of 24 Kottams are as follows: Pulal, Puliyur, Eekadu, Manavur, Chenkkadu, Payur, Eyil, Thamal, Uttukadu, Kalathur, Chembur, Amur, Eethoor, Venkundram, Palkunram, Ilankadu, Kaliyur, Chriukarai, Paduvur, Kadikai, Chenthirukai, Kunrapattiram, Venkadam Velur.

 

Culture

Thondaimandala Mudaliars are part of the greater saiva-velaler community, which is spread over the entire length and breadth of Tamilnadu. Saiva-velalars were called by different names in different places. In Thondaimandalam, they were called “Mudaliars”. In some places they were called "Saiva-Pillaimars" and "Karkarthars". Saiva-velalars are vegetarians and share common beliefs, customs and traditions. This view is supported by the fact that there are a number of religious Mutts (Matha)s in Tamilnadu like "Kanchipuram thondaimandala adhinam" "Dharma-puram adhinam," "Thiruvaadudurai adhinam," and "Thirugnanasambandar swamigal adhinam" whose "Matathipathis" are drawn from these communities. It is also a fact that even today, in most places, they have common burial ground exclusively for the saiva-velalars community and owned and managed by respective "Mudaliar-Pillaimar Sangams." For any functions in their families like marriage, all members from these communities are invariably invited. This community had unique names of addressing their relations. Lady members were respectfully addressed as "anni" by all other community members. Sisters-in-law (elder brother’s wife) were addressed as "anniyar" and sisters-in-law (one’s husband’s sisters) were addressed as "aththathai" or "aththachi." Brother-in-law (sister’s husband) is addressed as "aththan". It is of interest to note that lady members of Mysore royal family are addressed as "anni".

 

Historical Personalities

Sekkizhar, the author of the Tamil hagiography Periyapuranam or The Great Purana comprising of the life stories of the 63 Tamil Saiva Saints or the Nayanars hailed from this community. He was the Prime Minister and a poet in the Chola court of Kulottonga II (1130-1150). Kulottonga was a devotee of Lord Siva Nataraja of Chidambaram and continued the reconstruction of the cult center of Tamil Saivism begun by his predecessors. At the same time he was enchanted by the Jain epic Jivaka Cintamani. To wean him away, his minister Sekkizhar composed the Tamil epic Periyapuranam. Ariyanatha Mudaliar, was the Vellala Dalavoy(General) and Prime Minister of the Vijayanagar viceroy Viswanatha Nayaka (1529-64). He took power in the rich Tamaraparani rice lands. He is credited with founding the palayam or smal principalities system ruled by petty chiefs called poligar or palayakarars. He divided the Pandya kingdom in 72 palayams and commanded the 72 dry-zone poligar chiefs. The Aiyaram Kaal Mandapam, or Thousand Pillared Hall, in the famous Meenakshi Temple was constructed by him in 1569. At the entrance of the Mandapam, we can still see majestic pose of Ariyanatha Mudaliar seated on a beautiful horse-back Kotpuli Nayanar was one of the 63 Nayanars haling from Nattiyantankuti. He was so attached to Lord Siva that he allotted a heap of paddy in the form of huge hill in each of the Siva temples to feed the Saiva devotees. Moorga Nayanar was one of the great 63 Nayanars. Sakkiya Nayanar was one of the great 63 Nayanars. Thirunavukkarusu Nayanar also known as Appar was one of the great 63 Nayanars. Vaayilar Nayanar was one of the great 63 Nayanars. He belonged to Agaththular gothram and hailed from thondai-nadu mailapuri (Mylapore) Ambi Aramvalartha Mudaliar was a reputed minister during the reign of Krishnadevaraya (1509-1530 AD). Andhaka Kavi Vira Raghava Mudaliar was a great poet of the 16th century. He was from "Pon-vilaintha kalathur." Anadhari Pulavar, a great poet in Chola kingdom who hailed from vaayal (Vaayalur) near Thirukkalukundram. Maavai Kumaraswamy Mudaliar administered the 3 districts of Madurai, Tirunelveli, and Trichy from 1688 (kollam calendar(kc) 863) to 1700 (kc875) . His son-in-law "Aarai Aagappa mudaliar" administered these areas from 1701 (kc876) to 1726 (kc 911). Since Aarai Alagappa Mudaliar had no children, he handed over the authority to his sister’s son-in-law Dalawai Kumaraswamy Mudaliar whose direct descendants are even today enjoy the title of "Dalavoyai" to this day.

 

Modern Personalities

Freedom Fighters

Munthuranga Mudaliar : hailed from Vanavarayar Gothram. A native of Nasarath pettai near Poonthamalli in Chengalpattu dist. Well known freedom-fighter and father-in-law of m/s. M.Bakthavatsalam, Sir P. T. Rajan and O. V. Alagesan. Literature ---------- Makaral Karthikeya Mudaliar : a renowned scholar, poet in 19th century hailed from Veyttur, near Madurangdagam. He authored a number of Tamil books ("veleer varlaatrumanbu," "Tamil Solvilakkam" and “"mozhi nool"). Mahavidwan Vasudeva Mudaliar : renowned poet from Chettipalayam near Pothanur in Coimbatore District Muthu Nainaththai Mudaliar : hailed of Nelvilaiyar Gothram from Chinna-Tharapuram in Karur district. Authored "pachai-nayagi pillai tamizh" and "Perur Kovai." Raosahib Vellakal Pa. Subramania Mudaliar : hailed from Athur Mappothiyar gothram from Vellakal, Tirunelveli dist. He wrote a number of Tamil poems. He was a renowned poet of 19th century. Rasikamani T.K. Chidambaranatha Mudaliar : from Athur Mopothiyar Gothram of Tenkasi. Well known scholar and author particularly "Kambar tharum Ramayanam."

 

Politics

Sir P. T. Rajan: from Nelvilayar gothram of Uthama-Palayam. He was a minister and leader of justice party. He has carried out the renovation of the famous Meenakshi temple in Madurai. His son Palanivel Rajan was a well-known leader, minister and speaker of Tamilnadu assembly. M. Bakthavatsalam Mudaliar: a great freedom fighter, political leader and chief minister of Tamilnadu. O.V. Alagesan Mudaliar : native of Chingleput, a great freedom fighter, political leader and Govt .of India Railway minister. Nedunchezhiian Mudaliar : Great orator, political leader and a minister in Tamilnadu. Anbazhagan Mudaliar : Great orator, political leader and currenly Finance Minister in Tamilnadu. P Shanmugam : Former Chief Minister of Pondicherry.

 

Judiciary

S. Muthiah Mudaliar : native of Kumbakkudi near Mayavaram. He was a renowned high- court lawyer.

 

Spiritual  

Namachivaya guru-moorthigal - he was the founder of Thiruvaadudurai Adhinam. Gurugnanasambandha Moorthigal – founder of Dharmapuram Adhinam and hailed from Srivilliputtur. Arulnandhi tambiran swamigal : hailed from Ariyanagipuram in tirunelveli dist. He was 24th Matapathy of Thiruppanandal Kasi matha.

References ---------- 1) Wikipedia 2) Thondaimandala Mudaliars Vamsavali (1st & 2nd editions), 3) Thondainadum athan tholkudiyum by Sri.C.S.Kannayiram, 4) The great temple of Madurai published by Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Thirukkoil, Madurai. 5) http://mudaliartm.org/