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* [[Bro. D.G.S. Dhinakaran ]] prominent protestant preacher
* [[Bro. D.G.S. Dhinakaran ]] prominent protestant preacher


[[User:220.227.28.18|220.227.28.18]] 10:44, 26 December 2006 (UTC)===Social===
[[User:220.227.28.18|220.227.28.18]] 10:44, 26 December 2006 (UTC)
===Social===
* [[M S S Pandian]], renowned social scientist,
* [[M S S Pandian]], renowned social scientist,
* [[W.P.A.Soundara Pandiyanar]], renowned social reformer,
* [[W.P.A.Soundara Pandiyanar]], renowned social reformer,
* [['''G.Karikolraj Nadar''']], Secretary of the Nadar Mahasana sangam and TamilNadu Nadar Peravai.
* [[G.Karikolraj Nadar]], Secretary of the Nadar Mahasana sangam and TamilNadu Nadar Peravai.


===Sports===
===Sports===

Revision as of 10:46, 26 December 2006

Nadar also Kshatriya Naadar, Natar, Sanar and Chanar is one of the Tamil castes found primarily in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and in the Tamil diaspora, particularly those living in Sri Lanka. The term is also used to refer to a man belonging to that caste.

History

The Nadars have always been a hardworking community, through many obstacles in their past, to become a largely successful group as a whole. A proud warrior caste and the initial rulers of the ancient Pandyan Kingdom,nadars are well known for their bravery throughout the southern part of tamilnadu. The term 'Nadar' or 'Nadan' means ruler of a locality.

The traditional occupation among Nadars were agriculture and toddy tapping(palm wine|Toddy is a type of liquor made from fermented palm sap). At times of war,nadars were valiant fighters. The 19th century saw the Nadars embracing Christianity in large numbers some out of will and some due to the easier acceptance into Christian schools. Today the distribution of Nadars between the two major religions, Hinduism and Christianity, are 60% and 40% respectively. The deities like Sudalai Madanand Karuppasamy are prominently worshiped by Nadars of South Tamil Nadu. Nadars have traditionally divided themselves by clan. Although outwardly they are united as Nadars, there is a clear cut distinction between the Nadars of various regions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. For example the customs and practices of Nadars hailing from Tirunelveli are completely different from that of Nadars hailing from Madurai or Nagercoil. . The poor among the Nadars during early times possessed no agricultural lands . They were landless labourers. One occupation that a large number of them took up, in circumstances where there were no opportunities for better undertakings, was toddy tapping. Their counter-parts were mostly a land-owning agricultural community that was also traditionally involved in mercantile activities. (Toddy tapping was the vocation of a section of all communities in their respective areas of domination. The Maravas, Vannias, Mudalis, Gounders, etc. did the toddy tapping themselves in the respective areas where they formed the majority of the population. It was not an exclusive craft of the Nadars. The rich among the nadars in those days were known as Nadans and the poor among the caste,who did toddy tapping for a living,were known as Chanans. Though both rich and poor nadars shared similar ancestry,they were separate castes at a time. Recent generations of Nadars, like the current generation of most castes in India, have started to open up to each other.


The premium placed on education by the Nadar community resulted in a drastic improvement in the socio-economic landscape of the community, a distinction reserved by upper classes of India. The Nadars are known for their work mostly in small businesses. Most cities in Tamil Nadu have a grocery store run by someone from this community. They are even referred to as 'Annachi Kadai' or 'Nadar Kadai.' The Nadars also have branched into electronics, applicances and silverware retail mega-stores. Nadars form about one tenth of Tamilnadu's population and are a powerful business community.

Nadar Community of South India are generally concentrated in the Southern most part of Tamil Nadu, India.They had originally emanated only from this region and though they have migrated all over India, (even overseas) for many decades now, they are part of a very specialist community in the South.

They appear to have been originally very much involved in agricultural products. Considering the general nature of agricultural pattern in the Southern most part of India, it is not surprising that they have been associated in dealing with sugar, grains and other related cereals.Their business evolution, has been for many years, now in trading and distribution, only.

Their networking has been remarkably well organised, in spite of basic deficiencies in modern communication. Buying and Selling has been their expertise. From early stages, they have cultivated a close business acumen to procure farm products, at best prices, transporting them to ware houses, and distributing them, for both whole sale and retail markets all over India.

It is interesting to note that their range of products in the early stage of their development was confined to: 

  1. Rice
  2. Pulses
  3. Edible Oils
  4. Sugar, etc.

It would be appear, in the early stages and even now, they have become the most essential link with the actual farmer and the consumer on the other end.

It is therefore easy to realise that they have emerged dominant, not only in whole sale purchase and sale, but also as retail shop owners in many towns and centres all over the country.

As mentioned earlier, their networking is superb, and their ability and skill to get involved in such farm products, and make them available across the counter, all over the country has been possible mainly due to their close business and community linkage.

This traditional business specialisation has been their main strength for several decades.

However, with the growing economy and improvements, in infra structure all over India, they have been modifying their business pattern to spread into many other areas of trading business.

Such new patterns started with the building industry and they developed equal skills in procuring such vital materials like: 

  1. Cement
  2. Iron Hardware for building
  3. Roofing materials
  4. Other constructional Inputs
  5. Paints, varnishes and related materials

As such, the traditional business of the family continue in a more professional manner, with such educated member of a family leading to considerable changes in modernisation approach, proper business forecast combined with sound management principals looking at the future.

Another interesting thing that has been happening is their ability to channel talent with proper focus. Every family has been grooming and training both academically and otherwise the necessary managerial man-power. However, where the business was not big enough to accommodate such members of the family, they have been branching off into other areas to support the trading activities. In the past 20-30 years, there has been a big boom in building in construction work, and in the Nadar community have established themselves very well in principal cities, towns and even many villages.

It is, therefore, a familiar sight, as one drives through the country side, to notice, shops of groceries, big whole sale distribution centres, etc., for agricultural products. Alongside one would notice shops selling building and construction materials, cement, paints, varnishes, etc.

In the past few decades, this community has shed its conservative attitude and almost all families have sent their children to Universities to qualify as Professional Managers, Engineers, etc.

So, further diversification has been seen by getting into manufacturing business generally small scale, in areas which are closely compatible to the trade linkages. Such manufacturing activities have been spread around agricultural sectors and other support areas.

One important industry, in which they have been very dominant in the manufacturing sector in the South, relates to the Edible Oil Industry. Many brands of edible oils with constant innovation has been their effort. Such edible oils include coconut oil, ground nut oil, sesame oil, etc. Their latest attempts are to refine and improve such cooking media to high standards.

Whilst discussing the business pattern and growth of the Nadar community a certain amount of exclusive discussion on one Industry in the South needs merit. This industry is actually the brain product of the Nadar community namely that of producing safety matches.

In a small town called Sivakasi, in the southern part Tamil Nadu, India, the making of matches became a reality over a few decades ago, started by the Nadar Community. These matches are made in Cottage Industries employing considerable number of people including children.

There is not much mechanisation, and all the processes are practically manual and follow a stereo type process.

Hundreds of such units exist in and around Sivakasi, producing millions of safety matches every month. This entire business is run and managed by the Nadar Community at large, very successfully and very efficiently.

One of the offshoots of the match industry, is the making of fire crackers. This also is produced in a specialised manner and controlled closely by the same community.

The supply infrastructure of chemicals and pyro-technical requirements are also interestingly produced by them in surrounding industrial areas, and very successfully managed.

If one were to look at the success story of this community, there is nothing to beat the safety match Industry in the South. Not only looking after the Indian requirements, they are also exporting to various other countries.

The Nadars are very hard working people. They have been well known for their,courage, perseverance, untiring energy, commitments and dedication to their business. They have become highly modernised. Many of them are qualified nowadays from advanced countries from Engineering institutions and Business Schools.Electronics field is also no exception and of one of the top leading computer companies in India, has been founded by a member of this community. Note: some nadar community members were very poor, in some regions(like ramanathapuram district etc) where they resided as the minority caste, in economic and social condition at a time. But now stands as a community best known for its famed business magnets.

Genetic study

Recent genetic studies on the antigenic variations among south Indian populations suggest Nadars share several genotypic characters with East Asian populations, consistent with the demographic history of South India, and also revealed that there are several genetic markers unique to the group. The study suggested a distinct evolutionary lineage with lesser admixture in the gene pool among groups of Tamilnadu. The gene pool of nadars show more similarity to the East Asian populations (Tissue Antigens. 2003 Dec; 62(6): 542-7), a trend not observed in the Brahmin communities of south Tamilnadu, who are more closely related to the branch of the Indo-European and Central Asian tree (Human Biology 1996, 68(4), 523-37).

See also

Relataionship With Ezhava Caste of kerala

Ezhava community is Malayalam speaking caste found in the state of kerala engaged in Toddy tapping, ayuvedic business ,liquor business and martial arts. The word ezha or era or ira or izha in Tamil (hence in Malayalam) means toddy. In alappey and some areas of kollam ezhavas are also called channars. Interestingly nadars are also called chanars in some parts of tamil nadu. Ezhava or similar identity caste are not much found in tamil nadu but is strong in all other three south indian states. The toddy tapping community of Andhra says they are descedants of nadars of tamil nadu but called themselves as Edigas, name resembling toezhava of kerala. There is no caste whoose name resembling to Nadar in main land kerala.Same is the case of Tamil nadu, except the case of microscopic similar people from all other south indian states migarted to the state like ezhuvar, iluvar,billava and ediga or goud. Nadars and ezhava both are engaged in similar social activities and might be of similar race , however language and culture and interactions with other castes of respective states might have divided them completely. A lot of research needed to establish the relationship between these two communities.

Further reading

  • M. Immanuel (2002) The Dravidian Lineages: The Nadars Through the Ages. A Socio-Historical Study. From Indus Valley Civilization to Present time. Published by: Historical Research & Publications Trust, 137/H-4 Bethel Nagar, Nagercoil-629004, Tamil Nadu, India.
  • D. Templeman. (1996) The Northern Nadars of Tamil Nadu: An Indian Caste in The Process of Change (February, 1996): New Delhi: Oxford University Press
  • Robert L. Hardgrave, Jr.(1969) The Nadars of Tamilnad; the political culture of a community in change. From year 1800 British records to 1968. [1]
  • Golden Stag by Sivasundari Bose (2006) A work of fiction with the Nadar community as the background.

Famous people

Politics

  • Kamarajar - K Kamaraj Nadar, Freedom fighter, Politician, the Congress King Maker,

ex-chief minister of the madras presidency,Baratha rathna.

Business

  • Shiv Nadar - Billionaire, CEO, HCL Group(Infotech), a technocrat who heads a multinational IT giant
  • '''Dr VG Santhosam'''- industrialist who pioneered hire purchase scheme in the early 50s in Tamilnadu and is the chairman of VGP group of companies who are leaders in shopping malls, travel and tourism in Tamilnadu.
  • 'Gunasekaran Ayyanathan' (Chairman - Safire group of industries) - Industrialist who pioneered the import of printing machinery in India.Safire printers are the only printers in Tamilnadu, who hold a maximum share in printing cinema posters.
  • M.G.muthu - chairman of mgm group of companies,MGM disney land
  • IDAYAM MUTHU CHAIRMAN of Idhayam Oils,a leading oil industry in India

Media

  • S P Adityan, who founded one of India's most successful newspaper empires,
  • David Davidar, prominent publisher and writer,
  • Premananthan (Ramesh-Prem), famous post-modern writer and thinker who has written around 30 books. His writing includes poems, novels, tales, short stories, drama and non-fiction. He contributed much to create many new thoughts in Tamil.
  • M Shanmugavel,[MS] Editor Makkal Kural, Trinity Mirror newspapers:

Artists

  • Sathyan, One of the most famous Malayalam Film Actor
  • Sarathkumar, popular cine star, president of the Tamilnadu Film Actors Society
  • Ramarajan , One of the famous tamil cinema actors
  • Haris Jeyraj,Renowned music director in the Tamil film industry,
  • Pandiya Rajan,one of the most famous comedy actors hero and director.
  • Charlie,one of the famous comedy actors,
  • A.R.Murugadas,one of the most popular directors in the Tamil film industry,
  • Hari,one of the leading directors in the Tamil film industry.

Academic

  • [Prof.Dr.Gift Siromony and Prof.Dr.Rani Siromony], Inventors of Siromony numbers, kolam theory, cryptography. The wide variety of topics in Theoretical Computer Science, especially, in Formal Language theory which engaged the Siromonys amply bear out the genius and originality of their brilliant minds.


Government

  • Walter Thevaram - Tamil Nadu I.G Police
  • Dhass Former Chief of Army - Nagercoil
  • Sailandar Babu I.P.S - Tamil Nadu Police
  • Alexander I.P.S - Tamil Nadu Police

Religion

220.227.28.18 10:44, 26 December 2006 (UTC)

Social

Sports

  • Manuel Aron, India's first International Chess Master and the first chess player to be honoured with the Arjuna Award,
  • Vijay Amrithraj, Former international tennis player. Presently a renowned commentator of tennis.

Underworld

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