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Showing posts from January, 2019

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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A Prayer For Mother Tamil

We Tamils have deified our mother tongue as a goddess and call her Tamil Annai or Tamil Thaai (Mother Tamil), representing the Tamil language and the Tamil society itself. We have also dedicated a prayer song or vaalthu for Her. Deification is against the religious teachings of the non-Hindus like Muslims but It is not a problem for the rest of us Hindus. In a circular dated November 23, 1970, the Government of Tamilnadu designated the Tamil Thaai Vaalthu as a “prayer song" and not as an anthem. This means it has a religious significance unlike Jana Gana Mana which is the national anthem of India. Therefore, the Tamil Thaai Vaalthu is actually a form of Sakthi worship. It is the core principle of Saktam as seen in several Hindu slokas because the mother tongue (Tamil Annai) also represents consciousness, intelligence and race. The Saktam religion teaches Hindus to see Sakti in every aspect. Whenever you sing the Tamil Thaai Vaalthu, you are worshipping the Divine Mot...
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Ponggal Is Not A Secular Festival

Pic Credit: Thestatesman. Representative image Photo: AFP Ponggal, the harvest festival of the Tamils, is often perceived as a secular celebration, observed by various cultures under different names. However, a detailed analysis reveals that Ponggal holds significant religious connotations and is primarily associated with the Hindu Tamil community. From its origins in the Sidereal solar calendar to the specific rituals and deities revered during the festival, Ponggal distinctly aligns with Hindu practices, setting it apart from Christianity and Islam. The Significance of Ponggal in the Sidereal Solar Calendar Ponggal marks the day when the Sun enters the 10th zodiac, Capricorn, at an angle of 270 degrees - 300 degrees of the celestial sphere. This event, also known as Makara Sankranti in Sanskrit, is derived from the Sidereal solar calendar and coincides with the Winter Solstice. While any community following this calendar system may acknowledge this celestial moment, in Tamil soc...
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The Indian confusion - Race, Caste, Clan & Surnames

Before you read, keep in mind that this was not written with the intention to divide the people. It was written with the intention to explain the meaning of each group. The write up on my journey in Bali is still in progress. I have to transfer some image files in order to upload them. So I thought of writing about the biggest confusion in the Indian Malaysian community. It is a sensitive one too. But clarification should be given. Else, when are we going to understand it? To my friends of other races who happened to read my blog, this will probably be enlightening as many may not be aware of our demographics. First of all, there are two main classification for us in Malaysia. Indian & Ceylonese. Many assume it to be a homogenous race like Chinese, but it isn't. The Chinese have many languages but they have a common language called Mandarin. They also have one writing script. This is what makes the over 1 billion Chinese worldwide as a homogenous race. Ancient Chinese ...
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Dogs of Tamil Nadu

Pictures taken from Google. Credit goes to the various people who uploaded them. I apologise for not being able to identify the original owner of the pics. Whenever we speak of dogs, we tend to focus on the European breeds.  This is due to their popularity and demand. Unknown to many, India has about 88 native dog breeds. Six of these breeds are from the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Most of these dogs from Tamil Nadu evolved naturally. That makes them more suitable to the hot climate in the south. Furthermore, these dogs require less medical attention as their immune system is stronger, making them less prone to disease which are common among the European breeds. In Tamil Nadu, we can find breeds like the famous Rajapalayam, Kombai, Alangu Mastiff, Chippiparai, Kanni and Malayeri. Both the Alangu Mastiff and Malayeri are now extinct. Malayeri The Malayeri (hill climber) was a shepherd dog used by the tribals to herd sheeps. It was commonly found in the hills of Tamil Na...
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Muniswaran Worship

(Pictures taken from Google except for the Banyan tree) Hinduism is a world of its own. It is not a single book religion like the Abrahamic religions. It is actually a collection of various religions, philosophies, doctrines, rituals and practices. In Hinduism, worship of minor deities is also practiced. Although it is not part of mainstream Hinduism, it still plays an important part in the daily lives of many individuals and families. The worship of minor deities is much more common in rural areas. It is often more of a clan or family affair. The minor deities fall into different categories. One of it is a class of powerful spirits known as Muni. My family use to offer worship under this tree in Klang. My interest in Muni worship started at a very young age. I have always been a curious kid. I ask alot of questions.. I still am a curious person. Always looking for more clues and hopefully some answers. It is perhaps my late paternal grandmother, Letchumy, who ign...
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