Mukkulathor
Total population | |
---|---|
94,33,646 Tamil | |
Religion | |
Hinduism |
The Mukkulathor people, who are also collectively known as Thevar, are a community or group of communities native to the central and southern districts of Tamil Nadu, India. They comprise the Agamudayar, Kallar and Maravar communities that share a common myth of origin and claim to have once been members of various ancient South Indian dynasties.
Origins and development
The terms Mukkulathor and Thevar are used synonymously. According to R. Muthulakshmi of
While they share a common mythological ancestor, the three communities also claim ancestral differences. Each of the Thevar communities claim descent from an ancient
In the period following
Demographics
The Mukkulathor communities live mostly in central and southern areas of
Although the Mukkulathor own significant amounts of land, the sociologist Hugo Gorringe noted in 2005 that "their educational and economic achievements have been negligible", with many being small farmers or agricultural labourers.[8] The community has mostly been given the status of Backward Class (BC) by the Government of Tamil Nadu,[9] although some subgroups are omitted. They are mostly listed as Other Backward Classes (OBC) by the National Commission for Backward Classes.[10]
Politics
The Mukkulathors celebrate the coincident birth and death anniversary of
Martial arts
Thevars, traditionally practise a Tamil martial art variously known as Adimurai, chinna adi and varna ati. In recent years, since 1958, these have been referred to as Southern-style Kalaripayattu, although they are distinct from the ancient martial art of Kalaripayattu itself that was historically the style found in Kerala.[14] This and other displays of aggression are prominent during Thevar Jayanthi.[13]
Notable people
- U. Muthuramalingam Thevar
References
Notes
- ^ Female infanticide and foeticide have been significant practises among some communities in various areas of Tamil Nadu. The state government has sought to address these through legislated schemes as recently as 2011.[7]
- ^ Dalits in Tamil Nadu have become less dependent on Mukkulathors for employment due to the effects of India's system of positive discrimination and the trend towards sending relatives abroad to earn a living, notably to the Gulf States.[11]
Citations
- ^ "Sasikala's bittersweet journey with Jaya". rediff. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- ^ ISBN 978-8-17141-383-6.
- ISBN 978-0-521-79842-6.
- ISBN 978-0-521-79842-6.
- ^ ISBN 0253217652.
- ISBN 978-8-17648-510-4.
- ^ "TN: Cradle Baby Scheme in Districts With Low Sex Ratio". Outlook. 24 June 2011. Archived from the original on 18 May 2013.
- ISBN 978-8-13210-199-4.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu Public Services Commission: List of Communities". Retrieved 17 August 2016.
- ^ "Central List of OBCs - State: Tamil Nadu". National Commission for Backward Classes. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-56432-228-9.
- S2CID 213908939.
- ^ ISBN 978-9-35150-624-9.
- ISBN 978-1-57607-150-2.