There were historical concentrations of Naidu populations in Tamil Nadu since the Vijayanagar and other empires that conquered lands from Andhra areas to Kerala-Tamil Nadu areas and vice versa, i.e., from South Tamil Nadu to Andhra-Karnataka areas. [Of course, that's a different post...]
Today, most Naidu families in south-south Tamil Nadu speak Telugu at home, in a local accent, but probably cannot read or write it fluently. They would definitely be much better at Tamil, and perhaps, Malayalam. English? Absolutely. Better than the English, most certainly!!!
During 1850 to 1925, the Naidu families would have been proficient in Telugu, following Andhra cuisine, customs and marrying into similar caste and communities, including very specific sub-caste groups. Today, it would be the larger community preferences.
The Naidus during 1850 to 1925 in these areas were known as 'Nayakkars' since they were similar to warrior clans of the local Naick (= Chief). Since the Telugu language that they spoke was known locally in south Tamil Nadu as "Vadugu", the Telugu-speaking community came to be known as 'Vadugars'. So, Vadugars were the larger community, while the Nayakkars were a sub-set. Within this sub-set, there would have been Kamma Naidus, Balija Naidus and other groups.
The southern most group of Nayakkars that probably knew each other would have been residents of today's Madurai, Ramanathapuram and Tirunelveli districts. They lived mostly in villages and specialised in the cultivation of cotton and chillies. The headman of the village was known as the 'Vooru Nayakkar' or 'Vooru Naicker'. Historically, the Naidus in this region have been recognised as economically backward classes and have benefited from the opportunities since Independence and have studied well and moved to wherever their fortunes and future took them.
There is a significant difference when you compare the communities while at Tirunelveli and Srivilliputhur and when they are in the Madras-Chengelpet-Thanjavur-Kumbakonam-Tiruchirapalli-Srirangam areas. In south-south Tamil Nadu, they retained the surname - 'Naidu', 'Naicker' or 'Nayakkar' - but, in the north-east Tamil Nadu areas, they took to be identifying themselves with a surname. They took on different 'house-names' to distinguish themselves within the community. Thus, my great grandfather was "Neela Meghala Shyamala Naidu", while my grandfather, settled in Trichy and later Madras, was "Shyamala Ranga Bhashyam". My father took on the name - Balapila Naga Bhushan, but uniquely, his younger brother, my uncle took on - Shantaram Naidu. This grouping of different names is what made me dig deeper and deeper into the region.
During 1850 to 1920s, the most prominent Naidu families in Srivilliputhur areas were the zamindars, i.e., the landlords - and they were - Pemmasani of the Kurivikulam Estate, and Ravella of the Illavarasanandanal Estate. The Pemmasani family also had the Naickerpatti Estate in Madurai, while the Bellam family owned the Seevalpatti Estate.
Today, most Naidu families in south-south Tamil Nadu speak Telugu at home, in a local accent, but probably cannot read or write it fluently. They would definitely be much better at Tamil, and perhaps, Malayalam. English? Absolutely. Better than the English, most certainly!!!
During 1850 to 1925, the Naidu families would have been proficient in Telugu, following Andhra cuisine, customs and marrying into similar caste and communities, including very specific sub-caste groups. Today, it would be the larger community preferences.
The Naidus during 1850 to 1925 in these areas were known as 'Nayakkars' since they were similar to warrior clans of the local Naick (= Chief). Since the Telugu language that they spoke was known locally in south Tamil Nadu as "Vadugu", the Telugu-speaking community came to be known as 'Vadugars'. So, Vadugars were the larger community, while the Nayakkars were a sub-set. Within this sub-set, there would have been Kamma Naidus, Balija Naidus and other groups.
The southern most group of Nayakkars that probably knew each other would have been residents of today's Madurai, Ramanathapuram and Tirunelveli districts. They lived mostly in villages and specialised in the cultivation of cotton and chillies. The headman of the village was known as the 'Vooru Nayakkar' or 'Vooru Naicker'. Historically, the Naidus in this region have been recognised as economically backward classes and have benefited from the opportunities since Independence and have studied well and moved to wherever their fortunes and future took them.
There is a significant difference when you compare the communities while at Tirunelveli and Srivilliputhur and when they are in the Madras-Chengelpet-Thanjavur-Kumbakonam-Tiruchirapalli-Srirangam areas. In south-south Tamil Nadu, they retained the surname - 'Naidu', 'Naicker' or 'Nayakkar' - but, in the north-east Tamil Nadu areas, they took to be identifying themselves with a surname. They took on different 'house-names' to distinguish themselves within the community. Thus, my great grandfather was "Neela Meghala Shyamala Naidu", while my grandfather, settled in Trichy and later Madras, was "Shyamala Ranga Bhashyam". My father took on the name - Balapila Naga Bhushan, but uniquely, his younger brother, my uncle took on - Shantaram Naidu. This grouping of different names is what made me dig deeper and deeper into the region.
During 1850 to 1920s, the most prominent Naidu families in Srivilliputhur areas were the zamindars, i.e., the landlords - and they were - Pemmasani of the Kurivikulam Estate, and Ravella of the Illavarasanandanal Estate. The Pemmasani family also had the Naickerpatti Estate in Madurai, while the Bellam family owned the Seevalpatti Estate.
3 comments:
Thanks for this research into our roots. It is interesting to note that naidus were widely grouped as vadugars owing to the language they spoke. You covered the era from 1950 onwards, but the naicker kings established themselves in tamilnadu way back in 1528. So did Srivilliputhur naidus came along with the kings or after them. As far as my knowledge goes the naidu chieftans were put in srivilliputhur as Dharmakartas of Andal temple which was were sacred to the nayakar kings in madurai. It is also believed that Thirumalai naicker began his prayer only after hearing the bell of Andal toll. For this purpose a series of giant bells mandapams were established at enroute to srivilliputhur from madurai.
R.Subburaj
Pemmasani. ravella. Bellam zamindari clans are kamma naidus...
Vadakarai / periyakulam zamindar ramabhadra naidu family is balija nayudus and had martial relations with madurai balija kings house.
Kandyan balija kings house had marital relations with madurai balija kings house.
Tanjavur balija kings had direct relation with vijayanagara emperor tuluva achyutadeva raya is also from a balija house.
Chenjee or jinjee balija kings tupakula krishnappa nayudu family and their latter descendants settled as great merchants at cuddalore and zamindars of chennappnaicken palayam
Another branch of this great tupakula krishnappa naidu house ruled from balam or belur in karnataka
Raanaa jagadevaraya family who is having a very high political ambitions in vijayanagara time is another balija kings house ruled from baramahal channapattana area
Thanks for your research ..., I need few more information about my origin. Possible plz share your contact details
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