Padayatchi

Padayatchi in general refers to people of the Vanniyar caste. Vanniyar caste people are called Padayatchis.

Origin

"Padayatchi" derives from the Tamil word "Padai", meaning "army" or "members of an army". In Tamil Nadu, Padayatchi refers to Vanniyars. It is not only a caste title but also a class among the Vanniyars. Also in the denotified tribe list you will notice the Padayatchis (Vanniyar) of Vellayankuppam in South Arcot and Padayatchis of Tennore in Tiruchirappalli district. This clearly shows Padayatchi is a class among the Vanniyars.

History

The pallis or Vanniyars who became the soldiers and commanders during the later Chola rule came to be known as Padayatchi. [Sambuvarayar Varalaru] Padayatchi also were known to possess an army of their own and this is evident from the inscriptions mentioning some pallis as "Nalyayiravan" (head of an army consisting of 4000 soldiers). It is only the Padayatchis who retained their rule as chieftains and Poligars after the downfall of the Tamil kings. [Inrum Vazhnthuvarum Kachirayargal]

The kachirayars of Vilandai and Mukasa parur are related to padayatchis. Only the Padayatchis have different caste titles. Vanniya Gounders orVanniya Nayakars were known to have "Gounder" and "Nayakar" title respectively. No source points out that the Vanniya Gounders and Vanniya Nayakars had different titles.

An example for Padayatchis with different titles: Some Padayatchis in Vallambadugai near Chidambaram have the caste title "vanatharayar". In a village called Vatharayanthethu near the Chidambaram town we find Padayatchis with titles like Gnaniyar, Pidariyar, Thondavarayar. Some Padayatchis in Chidambaram area have the caste title Padayandavar. Some Padayatchis in Buthangudi village near Sethiyathope were known as sethiyars. [Ariyalur Varalaru-Anrum Inrum]

Padayatchis in turn use different titles such as Udayar, Thevar, Nainar, Pidariyar including Padayatchi title, which proves that they form a separate class. In the denotified list they are not mentioned as Vanniyars but Padayatchis which proves that it is more than a caste title. Nowhere in the Tamil Nadu backward classes list will you find the name Padayatchi among the non-Vanniyars. Most of the caste titles of the Vanniyars belong to the Padayatchis. If Padayatchi is merely a caste title then why do they use another title? They form a section among the Vanniyars.

Most of the Vanniyar Poligars (Palayakarar) were related to Padayatchis. There is a book called "padayatchi Pattapeyar Manjari" which mentions the different caste titles used by the Padayatchis. So when we say Padayatchi it naturally refers to a Vanniyar. Also a book called "sasana Tamil Manjari" refers to padayatchis. When the Chola rule started to decline the army commanders and ministers took the administration and formed their own rule. See the content of the book with the line "sanjala saritha naatinar manthirikumarar Padayatchigal". It may be a caste title to some other communities but it is a class and also a title for Vanniyars.

There is an old saying "Palli muthina padayatchi, Padayatchi muthina Vidayatchi" which clearly proves that when Vanniyars or Pallis become soldiers or commanders they attain the status of Padayatchi. Also when the Padayatchis become powerful they will resist any rule and form a powerful kingdom of their own. The life of the great Kadava ruler Kopperunjinga [Tamil Samudaya Varalaaru-Cholar kaalam -Thoguthi-4 -From World Tamil Research centre] is a good example for this proverb. They were hunters during ancient times and became land owners and farmers only after they became soldiers and commanders. [(A.R.No.137 of 1900), (A.R.No. 232 of 1916)]

A kadavaraya inscription found in Srimushnam in South Arcot registers remission of padikaval and other levies due to the donor from the devadana lands, for worship to the god at Tirumuttam in Vilandai-kurram, a subdivision of Merka-nadu Irungolappadi in Virudarajabhayankara-valanadu by Alappirandan Elisaimogan alias Kulottungasolak-Kadavarayan, a Palli having the kani-right in Urumur alias Solapandya-chaturvedimangalam alias Erumbur, for the merit of himself and his family.

This is the caste name of Vanniya kula Kshatriyas. Though this one is found as a title in some other castes too "Padayatchi" aptly refers to a large population of the Vanniyar or Palli Caste. In many parts of Tamil Nadu it is only the Vanniyars who were mentioned and called as Padayatchis.

Known divisions among Padayatchis

The Padayatchis had some internal divisions too which is not found among the rest of the Vanniyar caste. Some divisions are: Arasu, Pandal, Anju Naal,Kandar, and Panirendu naal. The distinct difference for padaiyatchi is that they have separate god for their clan("kula deivam") like warrior gods like karrupu , muniswamy,iyannar.One of the very important Kula deivam of Vallampadugai Padayatchi is Arulmigu Angala Parameswari.In Cuddalore ,Pondicherry area important Kula deivam for Padayaatchi is Arulmigu Muttaala Amman.Some other Kula Deivams of Padayatchi Caste are Periyandichi (Female God), periandavar (Male God), Muniyappan.

Padayatchi today

In some places like Ariyalur and in parts of Tanjore districts the Padayatchis still have marriage relations with Padayatchis only. Nowadays Padayatchis are found to marry among other Vanniyar divisions too. In Panruti taluk of cuddalore dist vanniyars called as padayatchi,they have surnames as sempirayar, samarthiyaar,thennavaraya,mazhavarayar, nayinaar etc here.This is because of the fact that all belong to one (Palli or Vanniyar) caste.They are now rapidly progressing. In politics too they have a significant role.

Notable Vanniyars (Padayatchis)

* Congress leader and former minister Mr. K. Vazhapaadi Ramamurthy. He is a pride to all the Padayatchis. He is actually a native of Mangala Pettai in South Arcot district. His father's name is Mr. Kootha Padayatchi. Though born in a poor family he with his hard work, talent and good nature rose to significant position.
* Former state minister of Tamil Nadu Mr. Panruti Ramachandran. Known popularly as "Panrutiar". He was an important minister in the MGR led State government.
* Mr. Ramasamy Padayatchi. Founder of the "Workers Toilers Party".
* Kaduvetti Guru. An important leader of the PMK.
* Mr. Natana Kasinathan padayatchi, Former Director of Archaeology, Tamilnadu. Senate Member Annamalai University, Vanniyar varalaru thoguppu kuzhu President
* Mr. Pushpavanam Kuppuswami. The famous Tamil folk/plaback Singer.
* Mr.Thenkachi Swaminathan.
* Kodukkur Arumuga Naataar. Famous among the Padayatchis in Trichi, Tanjore and adjacent South Arcot districts. He fought for the upliftment of the Padayatchis.
* Elangovan Varadharajan Padayachi is one of the founder of Vanniyar Sangam in Mayiladthurai (MAYAVARAM)
* Vimal Varadharajan Padayachi Director of Pattali Makkal Katchi in Mayiladthurai (Mayavaram)
* Rangasamy(naattar),Padayachi.He was a one of the local leader of pappakkudi village.
* Pala.Muralitharan Padaiyachi.He was a one of the local Vaniyar sanga leader of "Papanasam Taluk", thanjavur District
* A.C.Paneer Selvam.He was a one of the local PMK leader of "Papanasam Taluk", thanjavur District
* M.Palni Padayachi.He was a one of the local PMK leader of "Papanasam Taluk", thanjavur District
* Mr. V. Raja. He is the Chief News Editor of Sun Network. He is a native of Cuddalore district. Born in a middle class family and educated at a backward area, he has become to tycoon in News industry through his hard work and sincerity.

References

* Sambuvarayar Varalaru - by Mr. Ko. Thangavelu & Mr. L. Thyagarajan
* Parur Vilandai Kachirayar Varalarum Kalvettum - by Prof. L. Thyagarajan
* Ariyalur Varalaru -Anrum Inrum -By Pulavar Kumaraswamy
* Tamil Samudaya Varalaaru- Chozhar Kaalam Thoguthi 4- World Tamil Institute.
* A.R. No. 137 of 1900 and A.R.No. 232 of 1916

External links