Udayar (caste)

This article is about the Indian caste. For other uses, see Udayar.

The Udayar is a caste found in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. They are belongs to the community Parkavakulam a velir group. The Main sub groups of parkavakulam are Malaimannar(Malayaman), Moopanar (Shruthimannar), Nainar, Nathamannar (Nathaman). Malaimannar and Nathamannar are the caste using the title Udayar as surname.[1]

Groups

The main division of Udayar are Malaimannar and Nathamannar. Majority of the peoples are living in Tanjore, Tiruchirappalli, Namakkal, Salem Districts of Tamil Nadu.

Malaimannar

Malayanman udayar are descendants of chieftains Malayaman  who ruled Miladu Naadu (Tirukkoyilur) of Tamilakkam during the Sangam period and worked closely with the early Cholas of the Chola Dynasty and the Chera Dynasty. Chiefs of this dynasty readily took the title Chēdirāyan, and delighted in their rule of hill countries. This clan's most famous king was Malaiyamān Thirumudi Kāri (one of last seven patrons of Tamil Nadu sangam age) . Their royal emblem featured a horse, depicted on their issued coins.

Vanavan Mahadevi, a princess from the Malayaman clan, was the mother of the emperor Raja Raja Chola I. She committed sati at the king’s death and her image may have been installed at the Thanjavur temple by her daughter, Kundavai Pirāttiyār.

Nathamannar

Nathaman udayar are descendants of Maiporul Nainar. Nathaman are traditionally engaged in Agriculture.

Religion

Most of the people are following Hindu Shaivam and few peoples are following Vaishnavam. Some of the peoples are following Christianity.[2]

Further reading

• Burkhart, Geoffrey (January 1976). "On the absence of descent groups among some Udayars of South India". Contributions to Indian Sociology. 10 (1): 31–61. doi:10.1177/006996677601000102.(subscription required)
• http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions/south_indian_inscriptions/volume_26/introduction_1.html