- Maravar
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Maravar Regions with significant populations Tamilnadu, Sri Lanka, Malaysia Languages Religion Saiva Siddhantam, Hinduism
Related ethnic groups 
Thevar Statue in T.Kallupatti
Maravar (Tamil: மறவர் or Maravan, Marava) are a Tamil community of the state of Tamil Nadu, southern India, and are one of the three branches of the Mukkulathor confederacy. Maravars are found predominantly in the Southern districts of Tamilnadu viz., Madurai, Theni, Sivagangai, Ramanathapuram, Dindigul, Virudhunagar, Thirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari districts of Tamil Nadu. They are also found in central districts of Tamilnadu like Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Tiruchy. They ruled the vast land mass of Tamilnadu along with the Kallars. Both these tribes seems to have common origin. The Southern martial arts of Kalarippayattu, Silambam, Varma Kalai have been practiced primarily by Kallars, Maravars and Nairs of erstwhile Travancore areas.[1]In British times, the Ramnad and Sivaganga estates were administered by Maravars. Prior to their annexation.
Contents
Etymology
The term Maravar has diverse proposed etymologies;[2] it may come simply from a Tamil word maravar (warrior),[3] or a term meaning "bravery/ruthlessness".[4]
More complex etymological legends include descent from Indra through a mortal woman, with the child hidden in a maravu idam (secret place). Alternately, legends derive it from marani (sin), for the Maravar's sin of killing without pity.[3]
History
They are one of the oldest social groups to be mentioned by the Sangam Tamil literature.[citation needed] . Kalittokai mentions that many Tamil Naga tribes such as Maravar, Eyinar, Oliar, Oviar, Aruvalur and Parathavar migrated to the Pandyan kingdom and started living there in the Third Tamil Sangam period 2000 years ago.[5]. The writers of the Sangam Age place them in rural settlements withdrawn from cities. The Kingdom of Ramnad was a Maravar kingdom and was ruled by the Setupati Kings. Ramanathapuram , Sivagangai and Thirunelveli are Maravars homeland and the entire Southern district is Maravar stronghold from ancient times.[6]
Large number of Maravars served in the armies of many princely states of Kerala. But during the 18th and 19th centuries, most of them were assimilated in to the Tamil Padam Nair subcaste of the Nair community. The Maravar regiment of the Travancore army was known as "Maravar Padai", which supplemented Nair Pattalam, the larger indigenous military unit.[16] Tamil Padam Nair is recognized as a part of the Malayala Kshatriya social grouping. The Ramnad Zamindars are accorded the title Sethupathi (protector of the Sethu bridge) even to this day and The singampatti zamindars are accorded the title theerthapathy (protector of rivers thambarabarani)
The Maravar have close relation with Kalabhars even though they Maravars are a non-aryan, non-Kalabhar group. They were ancient rulers of Pandya kingdom of coastal land and inland from the First Sangam Tamil age. Their leaders were given the title "Meenavan" and "Pandyan" respectively. Edgar Thurston (1855–1935) a British museologist and ethnographer identified the use of the boomerang by Kallars and Maravars of South India.[6]
Most of the Maravars were very brave warriors of Chola & Pandyan Dynasties. The Maravars are the 'martial class' of ancient Tamilakkam.
Culture
The famed bull-baiting sport "Jallikattu" of Tamilnadu is practised by Maravars. The general title of the Maravans is Thevan, but some style themselves Thalaivan (chief), Servaikkaran (captain), Karaiyalan (ruler of the coast), or Rayar-vamsam (Raja's clan).
Sub-divisions
There are 2 major subdivisions among the Maravar community. One is Appa Nattu Kondyankottai Maravar and another one is Chembiya Nattu Maravar. The Kondyan Kottai Maravars are related to the Kongu Vellalars and are still maintaining Killai(branches) as their sub sects like them. The Killai is inherited from mother. So a boy or girl will not marry in their same Killai. It is assumed that they are brother & sister. Such a practice is no longer prevailing amongst other maravars. The married women of kondyankottai maravers wear "Thali" (Thirumangalyam) in the shape of Shiva lingam. So it is called "Linga Thali". Most of the Tamil castes wear the same type of "Linga Thali".
References
- ^ www.hindu.com/br/2007/05/15/stories/2007051500491500.htm
- ^ Political Change and Agrarian Tradition in South India. Mittal Publications. pp. 49–. GGKEY:G5HUNAS9SN3. http://books.google.com/books?id=i8dp_b7GBrEC&pg=PA49. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
- ^ a b Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland (1903). The Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. Published for the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland by Trübner & Co.. pp. 57–. http://books.google.com/books?id=FsUEAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA57. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
- ^ Vijaya Ramaswamy (2007). Historical dictionary of the Tamils. Scarecrow Press. pp. 143–. ISBN 978-0-8108-5379-9. http://books.google.com/books?id=H4q0DHGMcjEC&pg=PA143. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
- ^ The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago By V. Kanakasabhai
- ^ a b D. P. Sivaram (15 May 1992). "On Tamil Militarism ; Part 2: Tamil Military Castes". Lanka Guardian: pp. 17-19. http://www.sangam.org/articles/view2/?uid=1005. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
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