A STUDY ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND RELIGIOUS CONDITIONS OF THE PATTARIYAR COMMUNITY

Abstract

Pattariyar community is a Hindu community residing in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. According to mythology, the community migrated to its present habitat from Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. Pattariyar means the Aryas who made silk and they are noted as being Tamil migrants, with their name being a corruption of Pattusaliyar. The caste system prevalent in India is to make divisions and fractions among different Indian people. It plays a significant role that is not in practice in other countries. It is a unique and individual social system prevailing only in India particularly based on birth with specific restrictions on marriage, food, and social intercourse. The caste offers wide scope for every individual to act as a unique person among the people of the area where they live. It is well known how the Pattariyars have been migrating to different places and living there. They have also been adjusting to different places they lived and accommodated with them, at the same time preserving their tradition. They consider themselves to have migrated from Ayodhya in the North and living here presently. The Pattariyars of Kanniyakumari district are known as ‘Pattariyar’ and those of Tirunelveli district are known by the name Adaviyar. The Pattariyars are a minority community and they are backward in their economic status. For this reason, they have been kept under the Most Backward Classes by the government for the past 40 years. Pattariyar means the Aryas who made silk, They are noted as being Tamil migrants, with their name being a corruption of Pattusaliyar. Within the caste, the distinctions of sub-castes are basic for each may be ranked hierarchically just as the caste is ranked with the larger system. Each individual is traditionally a member of both a caste and sub-caste. Thus the Pattariyar community is one of the ancient communities of Tamilnadu with a hoary past, distinct customs and traditions, and comprising of eminent personalities who have enriched the society.

KEY WORDS: Pattariyar  - Hindu community – Kanchipuram – Pattusaliyar - Social intercourse – Accommodated – Ayodhya - Most Backward - Tamil migrants - Customs - Traditions