Reddiar Explained

Group:Reddiar
Total:40,00,000
Regions:Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry
Rels:Hinduism
Langs:Tamil, Telugu
Related:Reddy

Reddiar (also spelt as Reddiyar) is a Telugu speaking land owning, merchants, agricultural social group in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.

Reddiars, Reddy, Reddappa are considered and believed to come from the same origins and they spread across the lands of Southern and Central India. They are the patrons/financial supporters of local temples in Tamil Region. The names have been believed to be derived according to the regions they are spread across. Reddy in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Reddiar (Reddy + ar) in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, and Kerala. Reddy, Reddappa (Reddy + appa- signifying respect) in Karnataka.

Many Reddiars moved from the Andhra region in search of rich soil for cultivation and settled in Pondicherry and the northern districts of Cuddalore, Villupuram and Chengalpet in Tamil Nadu during Vijayanagar Empire. (In People of India/Indian Communities, Oxford University Press).

The migration of the Reddys/Reddiars to Tamil Nadu is assumed to have occurred during the Reddy dynasty expansion till Kanchipuram areas.[1]

Following are the districts that have significant Reddiar Population.Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Ranipet, Vellore, Thirupattur, Thiruvannamalai, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Puducherry, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Karur, Perambalur, Tiruchirappalli, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli

Origins

Anavota Reddy (1335-1364 CE) of Reddy dynasty extended the dominion of the kingdom to Rajahmundry on the north, Kanchi on the south and Srisailam on the west. In a battle at Vallioor, Reddiapuram army defeated Travancore army in the 14th century.[2] In an information Board at the entrance of the Vallioor Murugan Temple it is stated that 14th century Vallioor War - Reddiapuram army defeated Travancore Army at vallioor Battle. After this war Reddiars settled at Samugarengapuram, Seelathikulam and all over Tirunelveli Region in the 14th century.

A mural at the Tiruppudaimaruthur temple in Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu, shows the emissaries of the Vijayanagara king Achyutadeva Raya serving an ultimatum to the Travancore ruler Bhoothala Veera Udaya Marthanda Varma to pay tributes to him and return the Pandya territory to Sri Vallabhan. It also depicts the battle between the armies of Achyutadeva Raya and Bhoothala Varma.They are believed moved into Tamil Nadu with the Vijayanagara Emperor Kumara Kampana to liberate Madurai [Madura Vijayam] from Islamic rule and expansion of Vijayanagar empire along with other Telugu and Kannada origin social groups.

Diaspora

Through emigration, there are now many Reddiars in the United States, South Africa, Singapore, Australia and United Kingdom. Many were brought to South Africa during British colonial era to work on the sugarcane farms as indentured labourers. The descendants of such Reddiars can still be found in South Africa today.

Reddy versus Reddiars

Reddys predominantly speak Telugu and follow Telugu cultural norms like Ugadi, Dussehra and Sankranthi and follow all other Andhra norms, whereas Reddiars who came from Andhra to the Tamil region speak both Tamil and Telugu, and follow both Tamil and Telugu cultural norms. They also celebrate Thai Pongal, Tamil New Year and Ugadi. Some have represented in Tamil literary circles as great patrons and scholars of Tamil language.

Prominent Reddiars

Former Chief Ministers

Ministers and Former Ministers of State

Freedom Fighters

Judiciary

Elected Representatives And Former Elected Representatives

Elected Representatives

Former Elected Representatives

Politicians

Tamil Writers and Poets

Doctors and Health Practitioners

Agriculture

Education

Arts and Cinema

Sports

Entrepreneurs

Intrapreneur

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Sheldon I. Pollock. Literary cultures in history: reconstructions from South Asia. 8 July 2011. 2003. University of California Press. 978-0-520-22821-4. 385–.
  2. Book: Shungoonny Menon, P. History of Travancore from the earliest times. 1998. Asian Educational Services. Madras. 9788120601697. 523.
  3. Web site: The Hindu : Other States / Pondicherry News : Venkatasubba Reddiar remembered. https://archive.today/20140107220913/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/06/07/stories/2005060704130300.htm. usurped. 7 January 2014. www.hinduonnet.com. 2018-05-25.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Reddiar".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.