A brief study on the Tamil Chettiyaars (Vanikars) of Tamil Nadu

[virarajendra]

Author - Virarajendra

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A brief study on the Tamil Chettiyars (Vanikars) of Tamil Nadu

"Chettiyars" also known as "Vanikars" from the early days, were not the name of a "caste" but the name of the "decendents of 'Native Tamilians' of Tamil Nadu" from the period of Tamil Sangam of first century, who choose the "profession" of "Trading" in 'produces and goods' both of 'local and foreign' origin - within the countries of India and overseas.

The Vanikars started with their sales activities in paddy, but subsequently they spread their sales also in the other commodities of their region and the other regions. Vanikars by way of their mode of earning became much wealthy and maintained a better standard of living and earned much respect among the people of all societies from the early days.

The earliest reference to Vanikars is seen the great Tamil Epic Silappathikarem in which the Heroine and Hero of the epic poem namely the "Kannaki" and "Kovalan" were the rich Vanikars of the Chola capital - Poompukaar of Tamil Nadu of the second century A.D.

The other great Tamil Epic Manimekalai of the contemporary period refers to the Tamil Vanikars who travelled in ships to distant lands overseas for trade in their commodities - as "Chettiyars" or "Chettis". There is a reference in the same Epic, to nine Chettis who were shipwrecked near the Chola seaport capital - the Poompukar on their return journey to Tamil Nadu. There is also a reference to a Vanikan named "Kambala Chetti" who on his return to Poompukar with the baby born to the Chola king "Nedumudikkilli" by way of the princess "Peelivalai' daughter of the 'Naga king' of 'Naga Nadu' (the present Nagadipa on the west of the Jaffna of Sri Lanka) of this period, too were shipwrecked near Poompukar, but both escaped miraculously and returned to the Chola country.