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Chola Warlords: Who Were the Paluvettaraiyars?

Ponniyin Selvan I movie poster showing actor Sarathkumar as Periya Paluvettaraiyar and actor Parthiban as Chinna Paluvettaraiyar. In 2024, Oxford University Press published  Minor Majesties: The Paluvēṭṭaraiyars and Their South Indian Kingdom of Paluvūr, 9th–11th Centuries A.D ., a groundbreaking study by historian Valerie Gillet. In the book’s opening chapter, A Tentative Biography of the Paluvettaraiyars , Gillet delves into the lineage and origins of this influential fami ly.  These Chola warlords traced their lineage to the formidable Maravars, an ancient warrior tribe renowned for their valor. However, I believe that while the Paluvettaraiyars were indeed of Maravar descent, they likely forged alliances through intermarriage with those of the Kallar and Agambadiyar clans, further solidifying their power and influence. Prominent figures in the medieval Chola era, the Paluvettaraiyars played a pivotal role in shaping the empire’s political and military landscape. Through st...
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Mayir Pudunggeriya? (Plucking your hair?)

(This is based on oral history and not written evidence)

The Tamil language has many foul words. Some of these words were not foul in origin. One classic example will be the word mayir. Mayir is hair in Tamil. The other word for hair is Mudi. 

 Mayir is often pronounced with an extended 'u' as mayiru.

 "Mayir pudunggeriya?" is a common phrase used especially when someone is angry. It is used on people believed to be useless, procrastinators, lazy. If someone uses it on you, then he is trying to tell you that you are good for nothing, in a very harsh way.

 What's the origin of this phrase?

 In ancient times, Tamil Nadu was under the influence of Jainism. The Jain religion has many extreme practices. The monks are usually nude and hairless. They do not shave their hair. They remove the hair by plucking it out.


These Jain monks are usually jobless. They do not work to earn a living like most people do. It was common for the other working Tamils to see these Jain monks plucking their hair daily. 

 For some, what the monks did was useless. They don't work and spend time plucking hairs.

 These people would have then sarcastically asked the monks "Mayir pudunggeriya?". Even now, when someone is angry for an unfinished assignment, they may ask "Ennada, velai seyama mayir pudungganiya?" (Were you plucking hair instead of working?)

 Jainism is no longer a major religion in Tamil Nadu. There are not much monks left. No more sights of people pudunggeraning their mayir.

 But the phrase got stuck till today!

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