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| {{Use dmy dates|date = April 2020}} | |||
| {{Use Indian English|date=April 2020}} | |||
| {{About||the people currently living in ]|Gujarati people|other uses|Saurashtra (disambiguation)}}{{Infobox ethnic group | |||
| | group = Saurashtra Brahmin | |||
| | native_name = | |||
| | native_name_lang = | |||
| | languages = ] | |||
| | religions = ] ] | |||
| | related_groups = ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] | |||
| | population = ] '''2 million'''<ref name="Vandhana">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/madurais-sourashtrians-are-a-disappointed-lot/article5910444.ece|title=Madurai's Sourashtrians are a disappointed lot|last=Vandhana|first=M.|date=2014-04-14|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-02-19|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> | |||
| | popplace = ], ], ], ], ] | |||
| | image = Lkt sou.jpg | |||
| | image_caption = Saurashtrian Nobleman of late 19th and early 20th Century | |||
| }} | |||
| The '''Saurashtra Brahmins''',<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|last=M.R|first=Aravindan|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/where-they-have-come-to-stay/article28402513.ece|title=Where they have come to stay|date=17 March 2003|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=7 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1140713/jsp/7days/18609254.jsp|title=Girls Don't Say AYAYYO Here Anymore|last=Shanmugam|first=Kavitha|date=2014|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2018-09-02}}</ref> are an ] ] ] community of ] who speak the ], an ], predominantly reside in the ] ] of ], ], ] and ].<ref name=":13">{{Cite news|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/saz|title=Saurashtra|work=Ethnologue|access-date=2018-02-20|language=en}}</ref> | |||
| Saurashtrians trace their ancestry to the historical region of ] in ]. Their migration to ] owes to the forays and desecration of the ] triggered by the frequent ], most notably by ]. They were a prominent industrious and prosperous ] community of ] and ] in ] until the 20th century.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mahadevan|first=Raman|title=Entrepreneurship and Business Communities in Colonial Madras 1900-1929, in D. Tripathy (Ed.) Business Communities of India|publisher=Monohar Publications|year=1984|isbn=|location=|pages=210–225}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Lucassen|first=Jan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rW7MYYWUMWYC&pg=PA116&dq=sourashtra+merchants|title=The Return of the Guilds|last2=Moor|first2=Tine De|last3=Zanden|first3=Jan Luiten van|date=2008|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521737654|location=|pages=115|language=en}}</ref> | |||
| Saurashtrians are ],<ref name=":17">{{Cite book|last=Jan Lucassen|first=Leo Lucassen|url=https://books.google.com/?id=CCqiAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA110&dq=pattavayaka#v=onepage&q=pattavayaka&f=false|title=Globalising Migration History: The Eurasian Experience (16th-21st Centuries)|date=2014-03-27|publisher=BRILL|isbn=9789004271364|location=|pages=109–112, 121|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite book|last=Ramaswamy|first=Vijaya|url=https://books.google.com/?id=5CYxDwAAQBAJ|title=Migrations in Medieval and Early Colonial India|date=2017-07-05|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781351558242|location=|pages=172–190|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":25">{{Cite news|last=Pereira|first=Ignatius|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/the-mountain-trails-of-a-divine-legend/article5473004.ece|title=The mountain trails of a divine legend|date=2013-12-18|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-01-07|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Kolappan|first=B.|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/20-more-keerthanas-of-Tyagaraja%E2%80%99s-disciple-discovered/article13985821.ece|title=20 more keerthanas of Tyagaraja's disciple discovered|date=2016-01-07|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-09-18|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiadivine.org/content/topic/969804-saurashtrians-the-genuine-aryans-part-three/|title=Saurashtrians - The Genuine Aryans (Part Three)|website=IndiaDivine.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/03/18/stories/2005031800330300.htm|title=The Hindu : Entertainment Chennai / Personality : Illustrious disciple of saint-poet|last=|first=|date=2005|website=www.thehindu.com|archive-url=|archive-date=2005|access-date=2018-04-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Suryanarayana|first=M.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FezZAAAAMAAJ&dq=searchwithinvolume&q=Saurashtra|title=Indian Society: Continuity, Change, and Development : in Honour of Prof. M. Suryanarayana|last2=Reddy|first2=P. Sudhakar|last3=Gangadharam|first3=V.|publisher=Commonwealth Publishers|year=2002|isbn=9788171696932|location=|pages=93, 95, 99|language=en}}</ref>, they are classified based on their ], or ], majority of the people are ], though there is a significant proportion of ] as well. They are prominently known by their unique family names and also use the titles ],<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|last=Vannan|first=Gokul|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/090616/custodians-safeguard-saurashtra-language.html|title=Custodians safeguard Saurashtra language|date=2016-06-09|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=2018-03-22|archive-url=|archive-date=|language=en}}</ref> ],<ref name=":20">{{Cite book|last=Arterburn|first=Yvonne J.|url=https://books.google.com/?id=-lY6AAAAMAAJ&q=Saurashtra+Brahman|title=The loom of interdependence: silkweaving cooperatives in Kanchipuram|date=1982|publisher=Hindustan Pub. Co.|isbn=|location=|pages=44, 47, 50–53|language=en}}</ref> Iyer,<ref name=":20" /> Iyengar and Achary<ref name=":26">{{Cite web|url=http://www.rjisacjournal.com/socio-economic-conditions-of-saurashtras-in-kanyakumari-district/|title=Socio Economic Conditions of Saurashtras in Kanyakumari district|last=Baby|first=K|date=|website=rjisacjournal.com|language=en-US|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref> as their surnames but belong to ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-Tamilnadu/Minority-front-to-field-8-candidates/article16626166.ece|title=Minority front to field 8 candidates|date=2009-04-29|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-02-28|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> | |||
| == Names == | |||
| Their name has many alternate spellings, including ''Sourashtra'', ''Sowrashtra, Sowrastra'' and ''Sourashtri''.<ref name=":13" /> Saurashtrians are colloquially called as ''Palkar'' among themselves.<ref name=":28">{{Cite news|last=Doshi|first=Vidhi|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/31/indian-film-makers-try-to-save-saurashtrian-language-from-extinction|title=Indian film-makers try to save vanishing language from extinction|date=2016-05-31|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-06-09|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> They have also been known as ''Patnūlkarar'', but the term is obsolete. | |||
| == Etymology == | |||
| The word ''Saurashtra'' literally means "a good state". It is derived from ''Su'' meaning good, ''Rashtra'' meaning state and the other compound of '']'' and ''Rashtra'', meaning "the land of the ]".<ref>{{Cite book|last=Singhji|first=Virbhadra|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NYK7ZSpPzkUC&pg=|title=The Rajputs of Saurashtra|date=1994|publisher=Popular Prakashan|isbn=9788171545469|location=|pages=29|language=en}}</ref> These people were once sun worshipers and have built ]. The people worshiping ] or ] and inhabiting the land of the Sun are called as ''Saurashtrians''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boloji.com/articles/50184/the-possibility-of-developing-an-oldest-language|title=The Possibility of Developing an Oldest Language! by T. A. Ramesh|website=www.boloji.com|access-date=2019-01-27}}</ref> | |||
| The ] name by which these people were also known in ] is ''],''<ref name=":12">{{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Mahavir|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PTPCpA6xg0QC&pg=PA106&lpg=PA106&dq=saurashtra#v=onepage&q=saurashtra%20Brahmans&f=false|title=Home Away from Home: Inland Movement of People in India|publisher=Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies|year=2005|isbn=9788179750872|location=|pages=105–106|language=en}}</ref> which means ]-] people,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sivarajah|first=Padmini|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections-2016/tamil-nadu-elections-2016/Believe-it-or-not-the-Gujarati-vote-is-key-in-Madurai-South/articleshow/52002894.cms|title=Believe it or not, the Gujarati vote is key in Madurai South - Times of India|date=2016|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-03-09|archive-url=|archive-date=}}</ref> mostly ]-] ] and ] ],<ref>{{Cite book|last=M|first=Mhaiske, Vinod|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sbs4DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA148&dq=#v=onepage&q=Saurashtrians&f=false|title=Forest Tribology And Anthropology|last2=K|first2=Patil, Vinayak|last3=S|first3=Narkhede, S.|date=2016-03-01|publisher=Scientific Publishers|isbn=9789386102089|location=|pages=148|language=en}}</ref> since the early settlers set up silk-weaving ] and were involved in the ] of silk ] and ] to the royal families of ].<ref name=":11">{{Cite news|last=Joseph|first=Ashish|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Meet-three-of-Chennais-oldest-communities-from-the-north/articleshow/53140598.cms|title=Meet three of Chennai's oldest communities from the north - Times of India|date=2016|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-03-27|archive-url=|archive-date=}}</ref> After the ], silk became the attire of ], the Saurashtrians were patronized by several dynasties across ] and the ], ], ], ] and ] rulers patronized them in ancient ].<ref name=":27">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/History-woven-into-this-silk-lane/articleshow/36224081.cms|title=History woven into this silk lane - Times of India|last=J|first=Arockiaraj|date=|website=The Times of India|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-01-25}}</ref> Their specialty was considered so honorable and complicated that they were in some cases exchanged as a major aspect of marriage settlements or as endowments to neighbouring kingdoms.<ref name=":28" /> | |||
| These people are first mentioned as ''Pattavayaka'', the ] equivalent of ''Patnūlkarar'' in the ] (present day ]) inscriptions of ] belonging to the 5th century AD. They are also mentioned by the same name in the ] inscriptions of ] belonging to the mid 16th century AD<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Sethuraman|first=K. R.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ix0uAAAAMAAJ&q=|title=Tamilnatil Saurashtrar : Muzhu Varalaru|date=1977|publisher=Saurashtra Cultural Academy|isbn=|location=|pages=10–15|language=ta}}</ref> and in the inscriptions of ] of ] belonging to the 17th century AD.<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Kumar Suresh|url=https://books.google.com/?id=jRIwAQAAIAAJ&q=pattavayaka&dq=pattavayaka|title=People of India|last2=India|first2=Anthropological Survey of|publisher=Anthropological Survey of India|year=2001|isbn=9788185938882|location=|pages=1303|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Heredia|first=Rudolf C.|url=https://books.google.com/?id=mYKAAAAAMAAJ&q=pattavayaka&dq=pattavayaka|title=Mobile, and Marginalized Peoples: Perspectives from the Past|last2=Ratnagar|first2=Shereen|date=2003-01-01|publisher=Manohar|isbn=9788173044977|location=|pages=93|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":18">{{Cite book|last=Jensen|first=Herman|url=https://books.google.com/?id=cqAlHNTOWJgC&dq=pattavayaka|title=Madura Gazetteer|publisher=Cosmo Publications|year=2002|isbn=9788170209690|location=|pages=109–112|language=en}}</ref> | |||
| == Identity == | |||
| Saurashtrians are well assimilated in Tamil society, without any outward differentiation. Apart from certain religious adherences, ] and ], their culture is similar to the rest of ]. Though, their physical features are not similar to ], they have ] and are essentially a part of ], yet distinct in their ethnic identity and can be called as ''Saurashtrian Tamils''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/books-and-art/150719/how-indias-cultural-pluralism-is-better-seen-by-business-leaders.html|title=How India's cultural pluralism is better seen by business leaders|last=Venkatesh|first=M. R.|date=2019-07-15|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2019-07-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Clothey|first=Fred W.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uRxAOJWnyEwC&pg=PA18&dq=Saurashtrian+Tamils|title=Ritualizing on the Boundaries: Continuity and Innovation in the Tamil Diaspora|date=2006|publisher=Univ of South Carolina Press|isbn=9781570036477|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/textile-and-silk-trade-have-to-be-encouraged-gujarat-minister-madurai/article28814688.ece|title=Textile and silk trade have to be encouraged|date=2019-08-04|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-08-11|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/gujarat-minister-hails-contribution-of-sourashtrian-tamils/articleshow/70517278.cms|title=Gujarat minister hails contribution of 'Sourashtrian Tamils'|date=4 August 2019|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=2019-08-14|language=en}}</ref> | |||
| == Origin == | |||
| {{See also|Saurashtra Kingdom}}The ] mentions that the ancient ] were the rulers of ] and ] and they were followers of the ], who worshiped ] as their supreme deity.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Yadav|first=J. N. Singh|url=https://books.google.com/?id=xJNHAAAAMAAJ&q=Saurastra+|title=Yadavas Through the Ages|date=1997-10-01|publisher=Sharada Publishing House|isbn=9788185616032|location=|pages=146|language=en}}</ref> These ancient provinces as depicted in the epic literature of ] roughly corresponds to the present day ] region of southern ] and ] region of ]. | |||
| Their origin is ], land of Lord ],<ref name=":5" /> the origin of the name date backs to the time when the ancestors of these people inhabited the ] region of ] in southern ].<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>J.S. Venkatavarma, Sourashtra Charitra Sangraham (Madura, 1915)</ref> Saurashtrians are originally ] and belong to ].<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite book|last=Tumbe|first=Chinmay|url=https://books.google.com/?id=rjJjDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT31&dq=sourashtra+gotras|title=India Moving: A History of Migration|date=2018-07-20|publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited|isbn=9789353051631|language=en}}</ref> After their southward migration they have been called as ] ].<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":25" /><ref name=":12" /><ref name=":11" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vepachedu.org/manasanskriti/aaraamadraavida.html#2_Saurashtra|title=Aaraamadraavida Vamsacharitra (Arama Dravida) Brahmins, Mana Sanskriti|last=Dvivedula|first=Anamtapadmanaabham|date=2005|website=www.vepachedu.org|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2018-03-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Krishnan|first=Lalithaa|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/like-a-cloud-of-steam/article8532410.ece|title=Like a cloud of steam|date=2016-04-28|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-04-02|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> They had their original homes in present-day ] and migrated to ] over a ] ago.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Diep|first=Francie|url=https://www.popsci.com/article/science/how-gene-fair-skin-spread-across-india#page-3|title=How A Gene For Fair Skin Spread Across India|date=2013|work=Popular Science|access-date=2018-04-02|archive-url=|archive-date=|language=en}}</ref> They are currently scattered over various places of ] and are mostly concentrated in ], ] and ] ].<ref name=":1">"The Saurashtra Community in Madurai, South India", Albert James Saunders, The American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 32, No. 5 (Mar. 1927) pp. 787-799, published by: The University of Chicago Press.</ref> | |||
| == History == | |||
| {{See also|Saurashtra (state)}}Saurashtrians migrated from southern ] in 11th century AD after the fall of ]<ref name=":9">{{Cite news|last=Rohith|first=S. Mohammed|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/sourashtra-community-in-celebration-mode/article6055990.ece|title=Sourashtra community in celebration mode|date=2014-05-28|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-03-22|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> when ] invaded ]. It is said that the Saurashtrians lived in ], the present day ] of ] during the regime of the ] kings up to 13th century AD. After the fall of ] in 14th century AD they moved to ], with its capital at ] in present-day ] by the invitation of the Kings. The expansion of ] brought the Saurashtrians into ] in 14th century AD, since they were highly skilled manufacturers of fine ] ] and were patronized by the Kings and their families.<ref name=":27" /><ref>{{Cite book|last=Srikumaran|first=K.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FGvXAAAAMAAJ&q=Saurashtra+Brahmins|title=Theerthayathra: A Pilgrimage Through Various Temples|date=2005|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan|isbn=9788172763633|location=|pages=125–126|language=en}}</ref> After the fall of ] they were welcomed by the ] Kings of ] during mid 16th century AD<ref name=":0" /> and ] during 17th century AD and were allowed to settle near the ]<ref>{{Cite news|last=T K|first=Ramesh|url=http://www.boloji.com/articles/759/the-unwritten-history-of-the-saurashtrians-of-south-india|title=The Unwritten History of the Saurashtrians of South India|date=|work=Boloji|access-date=2018-02-19|archive-url=|archive-date=}}</ref><ref name=":19">{{Cite book|last=Randle|first=H.N|title=The Saurashtrians of South India|publisher=K. V. Padmanabha Iyer|year=1949|isbn=|location=Madurai|pages=}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite book|last=Gopalakrishnan|first=M S|title=A Brief Study of the Saurashtra Community in the Madras State|publisher=The Institute of Traditional Cultures Madras|year=1966|isbn=|location=Madras|pages=42}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite book|last=Dave|first=Ishvarlal Ratilal|url=https://books.google.com/?id=8eYtAAAAMAAJ&q=pattavayaka&dq=pattavayaka|title=The Saurashtrians in South India: Their Language, Literature, and Culture|date=1976|publisher=Saurashtra University|language=en}}</ref> | |||
| == Social Division == | |||
| === Occupation === | |||
| From the view point of an outsider the community may be seen as a ] one. However, in reality many subdivisions exist among them at various levels. Occupationally, the Saurashtrians may be classified broadly as ], ] and ].<ref name=":3" /> | |||
| ==== <big>Divisions</big> ==== | |||
| When the Saurashtrians settled in the South, they reproduced the institutions of their mother country in the new land, but, owing to the influence of the Southern ], some of the institutions became extinct. During their migrations, the men were under the guidance of their leader and the process of migration tended to increase the power of kinship.<ref name=":23">{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291970919|title=In search of Hegemony Comparative Case study of Brahmins of North And South India|last=Mitra|first=Debashish|date=|website=www.researchgate.net|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref><ref name="Thurston">{{cite book|last=Thurston|first=Edgar|title=Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Volume VI of VII|publisher=Government Press|year=1909|location=Madras}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> | |||
| The people were divided into 5 heads - | |||
| * '''''Goundans'' (Chiefs)''' - the judges in both civil and criminal affairs. | |||
| * '''''Soulins (Elders)''''' - They aided ''Goundans'' in deciding cases by a body of nobles called ''Soulins''. The office of the ''Soulins'' is to make enquiries, and try all cases connected with the community, and to abide by the decision of the chiefs. | |||
| * '''''Voyduns'' (Physicians)''' - They were well versed Indian traditional medicine such as the Ayurveda. They had their honors on all important occasions and they are placed in the same rank with the elders. | |||
| * '''''Bhoutuls'' (Religious men/Pandits/Joshis/Kavis)''' - They were well versed in Hindu teachings, worship and way of life, and were ranked with the ''Voyduns''. They had their honours on all important occasions and they are placed in the same rank with the elders. | |||
| * '''''Karesthals (Commons).<ref name="Thurston" /><ref name=":24">{{Cite journal|last=Randle|first=H. N.|date=1944|title=The Saurashtrians of South India|journal=Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society|language=en|volume=76|issue=3–4|pages=151–164|doi=10.1017/S0035869X00099020|issn=1356-1863}}</ref>''''' - They are the whole body of masses. Their voice is necessary on certain important occasions, as during the ceremonies of excommunication, '']'' for admitting renegades, and during periodical meetings of the community.<ref name=":23" /><ref name="Thurston" /><ref name=":24" /> | |||
| Traces of this institution still survive. | |||
| ==== <big>Sects</big> ==== | |||
| The Saurashtrians may further be divided into three sects on a ] basis. viz., | |||
| * ] - Who wear the vertical ''Vaishnavite mark'', and call themselves northerners; | |||
| * ] - Who wear horizontal marks; | |||
| * ] - Who wear ''gopi'' (Sandal paste) as their sect mark. | |||
| All the above three divisions inter-marry and inter-dine, and the religious difference does not create a distinction in the community. The Saurashtrians classify their ancestors as originally belonging to the two lines of ''Thiriyarisham'' and ''Pancharisham'' descent groups. They follow '']'' and belong to the ] and ] ]. Their religion is ], they follow ],<ref name=":4" /> and they were originally ]. After their settlement in ], some of them, owing to the preachings of ] and ], embraced ''''']''''' and ''''']''''' respectively.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":19" /> | |||
| ==== <big>Gotras</big> ==== | |||
| {{See also|Pravaras}}Saurashtrians, like all other ] ], trace their paternal ancestors to one of the seven or eight sages, the ]. They classify themselves into ], named after the ancestor ] and each gotra consists of different family names. The gotra was inherited from ] at the time of ], in ancient times, so it is a remnant of Guru-shishya tradition, but since the tradition is no longer followed, during Upanayana ceremony father acts as Guru of his son, so the son inherits his father's gotra. The entire community consists of 64 ].<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=|first=|url=https://books.google.com/?id=umY6AQAAIAAJ&q=sourashtra+gotras&dq=sourashtra+gotras|title=The Illustrated Weekly of India|date=1976|publisher=Published for the proprietors, Bennett, Coleman & Company, Limited, at the Times of India Press|isbn=|location=|pages=|language=en}}</ref> | |||
| Saurashtrians belong to following gotras.<ref name=":26" />{{columns-list|*] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *Asitha | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *]a | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *Galava | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *Gowthsa | |||
| *] | |||
| *Hothra | |||
| *Idhmavaaha | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *Kavasa | |||
| *] | |||
| *Koumanda | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *Kupitha | |||
| *] | |||
| *Mandabala | |||
| *Mareesi | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *Moudgalya | |||
| *Mounjanya | |||
| *Mythreya | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *Pramathi | |||
| *Saaliga | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *Soomantha | |||
| *Soubari | |||
| *Shazhiya | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *Usena | |||
| *Uthanga | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *]|colwidth=12em}}Marriage within common ] is strictly prohibited.<ref name=":18" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":2" /> | |||
| ==== <big>Kuladevatas</big> ==== | |||
| {{See also|Iṣṭa-devatā (Hinduism)}}Every Saurashtrian family has their own family patron deity or the '']''. This deity is common to a lineage or a clan of several families who are connected to each other through a common ancestor. The practice of worshiping local or territorial deities as Kuladevata began in the period of the ].{{Citation needed|date=December 2019}} | |||
| == Culture == | |||
| Saurashtrians have been traditionally an ] and closely knit community. They are essentially ] in their customs, manners and social structure. Traditionally, joint family was a social and economic unit for them. Moreover, the pattern of joint family helped them transmit their ] culture to the younger generations.<ref name=":19" /><ref name=":8" /> | |||
| ==== ''']''' ==== | |||
| Saurashtrians strictly adhere to all the '']'' or 16 ] ],<ref name=":11" /> out of which, the main social customs among them consist of six social ] in the life of a person. (1) the ]; (2) the ] ceremony; (3) ]; (4) ]; (5) the attainment of the age of sixty; (6) the ].<ref name=":19" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":21">{{Cite book|last=Učida|first=Norihiko|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=69yAAAAAMAAJ&q=|title=Oral literature of the Saurashtrans|date=1979|publisher=Simant Publications India|language=en}}</ref>amakar | |||
| * '''''] and ]''''' | |||
| The ] that are performed following the birth of a child are known as '']''. The naming ceremony in particular is known as '']''. The main aim of performing these birth ceremonies is to purify and to safeguard the child from diseases. These rituals are believed to check the ill effects of Planetary movement. The above rites were carried out on the eleventh day after birth of the child. Grandfather's name was much preferred for a male child and the name of a female deity was suggested for female child.<ref name=":8" /> | |||
| * ''''']''''' | |||
| The ''Vaduhomam'' ceremony (]) of Saurashtrians is basically the '']'' ceremony. This ceremony is exceedingly important among them. This is performed between seventh and thirteenth years. In rare cases when the sacred thread ceremony was not held in the young ages, it would be performed at the time of marriage. The goal of this ceremony was to highlight their ] status. During this ceremony there was much feasting and entertainment which lasted for four days.<ref name=":8" /> | |||
| * ''''']''''' | |||
| Among the Saurashtrians, '']'' ceremony on attaining ] is an important event in a girl's life. They also perform a pre-puberty marriage.<ref name=":21" /> | |||
| * ''''']''''' | |||
| The '']'' (wedding ceremony) lasted 11 days with as many as 36 ]. All these rituals were conducted by the ''Bhotuls''(Saurashtrian ]'').''<ref name=":5" /> The Saurashtrians have their own marital arrangements. Before a marriage is fixed, a long negotiation takes place between the parents of both partners. Being traditional ] ] they are very much particular in matching the ] of the couple. A man may claim his maternal uncle's daughter as his wife, and ] used to be permitted. Girls used to get married at an early age. Marriage within common ''gotra'' is strictly prohibited among them.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":21" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiapost.com/what-makes-sourashtra-weddings-unique-in-their-own-ways/|title=What Makes Sourashtra Weddings Unique in Their Own Ways?|website=India Post|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-29}}</ref> | |||
| * ''''']''''' | |||
| Death rituals are termed as ''abarakkirigai'' or '']'' in the Saurashtrian community. '']'' means the last or final fire. These rituals are carried out by the eldest son of the deceased. In case of no son, the relatives carry out the last rites. ''Kartha'' is the name given to the one who carries out this rite. The performance of the rite signifies the belief that the life is continuous and does not end by one's death. Further, the deceased are believed to reach the level of the deities. The period of mourning lasts for ten days, but it is repeated every year in the form of '']'' ceremonies.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":19" /> | |||
| ==== '''<big>''Festivals''</big>''' ==== | |||
| The Saurashtrians are of a religious bent of mind and they value morality and high character. The chief divinity of Saurashtrians is ] of ]. Among other Gods they worship are ], ], ], ] etc. They made regular visits to ]. They celebrate ], ] and ] with great enthusiasm, and observe ], ], ], ] and ] as important religious days.<ref name=":5" /> Their present social customs differ markedly from the traditional pattern and bear a close resemblance to those of ]. Only some orthodox well-to-do ] families stick to their older customs.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":21" /> | |||
| === '''''Attire''''' === | |||
| '''Men''' | |||
| The way of living of the Saurashtrian men resembles to that of ] Brahmins. The Saurashtrian men wear ] or ''veshti'' with a shirt and scarf called ''khesa'' just like other Brahmin men. The men keep the hair-knot or '']'' on the head with a ] mark or ''naamam'' on their forehead. | |||
| '''Women''' | |||
| The way of living of Saurashtrian women resembles to that of ]. The Saurashtrian women wear ] in a different manner than the ] women. The unmarried ones wear in ] style, while the married ones wear in ] style. The shape and size of the ornaments worn by the Saurashtrian women are similar to that of ] women. The ornaments are mostly made of precious ] and ]. The women also put vermilion mark on their foreheads just like the males but in smaller length and also decorate their head with flowers called as ''veni''.<ref name=":3" /> | |||
| === '''''Cuisine''''' === | |||
| The Saurashtrian cuisine is famous for its mixed rice dishes that includes ] (] rice), tomato rice with a hint of ], kalkandu (]) rice, sakkarai pongal<ref name=":10">{{Cite news|last=Das|first=Rajashree|url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/food/chef-shri-bala/article23760448.ece|title=Forgotten foods of Tamizhagam|date=2018-05-03|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-12-24|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> ''(''a dessert made of cotton seed milk'')''<ref name=":10" /> and ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/10-restaurants-to-visit-in-madurai-and-what-to-order-1675384|title=10 Restaurants to Visit in Madurai and What to Order|work=NDTV Food|access-date=2018-10-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cntraveller.in/story/the-best-meals-to-have-in-madurai-dosa-idli-idiyappam/|title=The best meals to have in Madurai|date=2018-08-22|work=Condé Nast Traveller India|access-date=2018-10-19|language=en-US}}</ref> Apart from these dishes Saurashtrians have special liking towards ] and ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.indulgexpress.com/life-style/food/2017/jul/07/taste-of-kanchipuram-at-coimbatore-2582--1.html|title=Taste of Kanchipuram at Coimbatore|access-date=2018-10-19}}</ref> Other South Indian delicacies such as ], ] and ] etc. are also favored by the Saurashtrians. Several historians believe that it was Saurashtrian ] merchants who introduced idly to ] during the 10th and 12th centuries. There are even claims that a mix of rice and ] ground together and later steamed to form cakes had its origins in ]. This was called ''Iddada''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://food.manoramaonline.com/food/foodie/2017/03/30/celebrating-moon-faced-health-food-world-idly-day.html|title=Celebrating the moon-faced health food on World Idli Day|work=OnManorama|access-date=2018-10-19}}</ref> Another dish that the Saurashtrian ] brought to Madurai in the 16th century is a ] made from deep-fried ], it became the keerai vadai and remains a specialty of Madurai.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/tried-and-tasted-food-walks-bring-history-alive-in-dehradun-madurai-kolkata/story-o98MixBzIZThLAcKfMsKmK.html|title=Tried and tasted: Food walks bring history alive in Dehradun, Madurai, Kolkata|last=Ghosh|first=Madhusree|date=2019-02-16|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-06-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/tried-and-tasted/|title=Tried and tasted|last=|first=|date=2020-02-29|work=]|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-03-01}}</ref> | |||
| ==== '''''<big>Diet</big>''''' ==== | |||
| Traditionally, Saurashtrians are ] and those who are involved in priesthood activities adhere to ]. ] is their staple food along with ], ], and ]. However, nowadays, some occasionally take ] food.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Parmar|first=Vijaysinh|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Gujarat-weavers-who-settled-in-Madurai-centuries-ago-brought-with-them-a-unique-language/articleshow/52927461.cms|title=Gujaratis who settled in Madurai centuries ago brought with them a unique language - Times of India|date=2016|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-03-21|archive-url=|archive-date=}}</ref> | |||
| == Demographics == | |||
| {{See also|Ethnic groups of Tamil Nadu}}There are three group of Saurashtrians living in ]. First migrants came to ] and settled there, second group of migrants settled in ] and its surrounding places and later third group of migrants settled in ] and its surrounding places. Saurashtrians maintain a predominant presence in ], a city, also known as 'Temple City' in the southern part of ]. Though official figures are hard to come by, it is believed that the Saurashtrian population is anywhere between one-fourth and one-fifth of the city's total population. | |||
| They are present in significant numbers in: | |||
| ''']''' | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ]- ] | |||
| ] - ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] | |||
| ] - ], ], Thiruvappur, ], ] | |||
| ] - ], ] | |||
| ] - ], ] | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ] - ], ], Krishnapuram, Pudukudi, ], Vellanguli, Kilakulam, South Veeravanallur | |||
| ] - ], ], ] | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ] - ], ] | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ] - ], ] | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ] - ], ] | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ] - ], ] | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ] - ], ], ] | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ] - ], ] | |||
| ''']''' | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ''']''' | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ] - Ayirankavu | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ''']''' (Known as '']'') | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ''']''' (Known as '']'') | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| ''']''' | |||
| ] - ] | |||
| '''Abroad''' | |||
| Many have also settled in foreign lands such as ], ], ], ], ], etc. | |||
| == Saurashtra Language == | |||
| {{Main|Saurashtra language}} | |||
| {{See also|Saurashtra script}}The mother tongue of Saurashtrians is ] (alternate names and spellings: Sourashtra, Sowrashtra, Sourashtri, Palkar), a ] of ] with the amalgamation of present-day ], ], ], ], ], ] & ] but all of them are ]<ref name=":6" /> and can speak either ] or ] or one of the local languages. | |||
| ], an offshoot of ],<ref name=":6" /> once spoken in the ] of ], is spoken today chiefly by the population of Saurashtrians settled in parts of ].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kolappan|first=B.|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/akademi-award-for-tn-writers-who-revived-sourashtra-literature/article16936860.ece1|title=Akademi award for TN writers who revived Sourashtra literature|date=2016-12-24|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-03-08|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> With the Saurashtrian language being the only ] employing a ] ] and is heavily influenced by the ] languages such as ] and ]. However, Census of India places the language under ]. | |||
| == Genetics == | |||
| {{See also|Genetics and archaeogenetics of South Asia|Y-DNA haplogroups in populations of South Asia}} | |||
| == Organisation == | |||
| The prominent leaders among the community arose in the late 19th century and felt the need of organizing the community. At first, the Madurai Saurashtra Sabha was formed in the year 1895 and it was formally registered in the year 1900 with many objectives. The formation of this Sabha was the first step towards ]. The Sabha's administration is carried out by elected Councillors and office bearers. It has its own rules and regulations regarding holding of elections, rights and duties of office bearers and celebration of social functions. The election to the Sabha is held once in three years. The ] life of the Saurashtrians is controlled almost wholly by the Saurashtra Sabha. This organisation is a committee of the leading men of the community, which manages and controls all the schools and public institutions, the ] and its worship, and all political, ], and social questions among the Saurashtrians. | |||
| The Saurashtra Madhya (central) Sabha, which has its headquarters at ] now remains as the cultural center for all the Saurashtrians living in ]. Many well-to-do ] and ] of the community have contributed substantially to the growth of these institutions. Today, the Saurashtrians are represented in white collar jobs and professions in large numbers.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":15">{{Cite news|last=Kavitha|first=S.S|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/Standing-tall-in-all-fronts/article14852589.ece|title=Standing tall in all fronts|date=2007-10-08|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-03-24|archive-url=|archive-date=|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> | |||
| In 2009, ], the then ] and the current and 14th ], inaugurated the Research Institute of Saurashtra Heritage and Immigration (RISHI), a project in association with ], ].<ref name=":9" /> | |||
| == Freedom Struggle against Bristish Raj and Modern Indian Politics == | |||
| In the second decade of 20th century, the Saurashtrians emerged as a dominant group in social and political life of ]. The Saurashtrians emerged as the dominant social group because of their collective mobilization, intellectual leadership, education, wealth, trade and enterprise. There are several instances when the leaders of the community organised the ] and made social and economic protests. The well-to-do ] of the community made donations to ] for ] and welcomed any form of ] agitation which favoured ] cloth.<ref name=":22">{{Cite book|last=Irschick|first=Eugene F.|url=https://archive.org/details/politicssocialco0000irsc|title=Politics and Social Conflict in South India: The Non-Brahman Movement and Tamil Separatism, 1916-1929|last2=Studies|first2=University of California, Berkeley Center for South and Southeast Asia|date=1969|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=|location=|pages=,138|language=en|quote=L.K.Tulsiram.|url-access=registration}}</ref> | |||
| The leaders who came to lead the community were not always from the upper class. L.K. Thulasiram, who led the community in ], was not born into the ] family. With his own efforts he travelled abroad which brought prosperity to himself and to the community in general. Thulasiram at first supported the non-] movement in ]. When he earned the displeasure of his community members who were fighting for ] status, he changed his mind and supported the cause of his own people.<ref name=":22" /> He got elected as Municipal Chairman in 1921 amidst a fierce contest. During his tenure he brought many reforms within the community. He introduced free mid-day meal scheme in community owned school for the first time in the country which was later emulated by the ] during the period of ] in the name of ] in Government schools.<ref name=":15" /> When he lost his hold in ], he became a prominent organizer of ]. Later he impressed the ] and became the leader of the ]. In this capacity he strove hard to raise the prestige and position of his community.<ref name=":14">{{Cite book|last=Backer|first=C.J|title=The Politics of South India, 1920-1937|publisher=Vikas Publishing House|year=1976|isbn=|location=New Delhi|pages=143–217}}</ref> | |||
| ], another leader of the community, financed and led the ] In ] from 1930-32. He worked for the advancement of the depressed classes. He, along with ], organised a temple entry conference and helped the people of the depressed classes to enter ]. He was involved in the ] and donated his 100 acres of land to the movement. He contributed to establishing the first ] in Madurai.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/throwing-light-on-the-life-of-madurai-gandhi/article3092865.ece|title=Throwing light on the life of 'Madurai Gandhi'|date=2006-08-20|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Later he expressed his dissatisfaction with ]. He felt unhappy about the expenditure incurred on the agitational activities. He mobilized his followers into Municipal politics with the help of Venkatamarama Iyer faction under the ] banner.<ref name=":14" /> | |||
| == Portrayal in popular media == | |||
| * In a 2014 Tamil movie '']'', Vaishali (portrayed by ]), one of the main characters, her father speaks ''Saurashtra'', thereby suggesting that she is from a Saurashtrian family.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rangan|first=Baradwaj|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/naan-than-bala-friends-with-benedictions/article6114928.ece|title=Naan Than Bala: Friends with benedictions|date=2014-06-14|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-09-29|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> | |||
| * In another 2014 Tamil ]-] movie '']'', Kayalvizhi (portrayed by ]), the heroine and her mother (portrayed by ]) are found speaking in ''Saurashtra'', thereby suggesting that they are Saurashtrians.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/jigarthanda/movie-review/39436452.cms|title=Jigarthanda Movie Review|date=2016-05-29|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-10-04}}</ref> | |||
| * In a 2019 ] ] '']'', Bharathi (portrayed by ]), the heroine speaks to her brother in ''Saurashtra'', thereby suggesting that she is a Saurashtrian.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/making-offbeat-cinema-is-like-cycling-against-the-wind-seenu-ramasamy/articleshow/67624750.cms|title=Making offbeat cinema is like cycling against the wind: Seenu Ramasamy - Times of India|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-06-01}}</ref> | |||
| == Notable people == | |||
| === Religion === | |||
| * ] (1781–1874), a direct disciple of Saint ] | |||
| === Cinema === | |||
| * ] (1924–2013), Tamil Playback singer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/why-non-tamil-singers-dominated-kollywood-for-more-than-60-years/articleshow/72960992.cms|title=Why non-Tamil singers dominated Kollywood for more than 60 years {{!}} Chennai News - Times of India|last=Dec 25|last2=2019|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-01-08|last3=Ist|first3=4:21}}</ref> | |||
| * ] (1924–1978), Tamil film Actor<ref name=":16">{{Cite news|last=Saravanan|first=T.|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/Linguistic-confluence/article16729668.ece|title=Linguistic confluence|date=2016-11-30|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-04-15|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> | |||
| * ] (1925–2012), Veteran actor | |||
| * ] (1929–1983), Tamil Playback singer | |||
| * ] (1923–2006), Tamil film Actress | |||
| * ], Tamil film Actress | |||
| * ], Tamil film Actor | |||
| * ], Tamil film Actor | |||
| * ], Tamil film Actress<ref name=":16" /> | |||
| * ], Tamil Playback singer<ref name=":16" /> | |||
| * ], Tamil film Actress<ref name=":16" /> | |||
| * ], Tamil film Actress<ref name=":16" /> | |||
| * ], Tamil film Actor | |||
| === Literature === | |||
| * ] (1907–1976), Saurashtrian poet (translated the ] into ]) | |||
| * ] (1920–2000), Tamil writer (] granted for his Kathukal Novel) | |||
| === Politics === | |||
| * ] (1905–1983), Tamil politician & Freedom fighter | |||
| * ], Tamil politician & Former Mayor | |||
| * ], Tamil politician & Former MP | |||
| * ], Tamil politician & Former MP<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Weaving-their-way-into-Madurai/articleshow/15115750.cms|title=Weaving their way into Madurai - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-02-21}}</ref> | |||
| === Academics === | |||
| * ], Awarded ] by the ]. Founder, ], Chennai | |||
| * ], Superintending Archaeologist involved in ] Excavations | |||
| == Educational Institutions == | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| == Temples == | |||
| * ] | |||
| == See also == | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| == References == | |||
| <references group="" responsive="1"></references> | |||
| == Further reading == | |||
| * {{Cite book|last=Chintaman|first=Vinayak Vaidya|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ujAhAAAAMAAJ&dq=Saurashtra|title=History of Medieval Hindu India: (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.)|publisher=Oriental Book Supplying Agency|year=1924|isbn=|location=|pages=}} | |||
| * {{Cite book|last=|first=|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bn0m5AJTqf4C&dq=Saurashtra|title=Bulletin of the Institute of Traditional Cultures|publisher=University of Madras|year=1967|isbn=|location=|pages=71}} | |||
| * {{Cite book|last=K.V|first=Padmanabha Iyer|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l9A8MwEACAAJ&dq=|title=A History of the Sourashtras in Southern India|publisher=Sourashtra Literary Society (Madras, India)|year=1942|isbn=|location=|pages=}} | |||
| * {{Cite book|last=Ganapathy Palanithurai|first=R. Thandavan|url=https://books.google.com/?id=rINuAAAAMAAJ&q=Saurashtra|title=Ethnic movement in transition: ideology and culture in a changing society|publisher=Kanishka Publishers, Distributors|year=1998|isbn=9788173912474|location=|pages=34}} | |||
| == External links == | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| __NOEDITSECTION__ | |||
Revision as of 09:52, 3 April 2020
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