Kerala Iyyar Puranam ;)

February 4, 2009

Dear All, The following write-up is taken from: http://www.keralaiyers.com/history?PHPSESSID=e6902f45f2b143eb99ef1273d4be1ec3 Love and regards,Sreenadh===================================Kerala Iyyar Puranam ;)The term 'Iyer' is derived from 'Iyya' which

means 'Sir' in Tamil and which might have beemight have been derived

from 'Arya' of Sanskrit, which means a 'gentleman'. In the earliest

known work dealing with grammar in Tamil - tholkappiyam (meaning old

epic), the meaning of 'iyya' is given as 'a learned individual'.

Iyers were initially confined to Tamil Nadu. Though the majority of

them chose to stay in Tamil Nadu itself, some of them migrated to

neighboring states of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Over the

years these migrants built up their own individual culture and

established an identity of their own. In Kerala, they are commonly

referred to as Pattars where as Iyers of Tamil Nadu call them Palakkad

Brahmins. The word 'pattar' is derived from the word 'bhattar', a

Sanskrit word indicating Brahmins.

The Namboothiri Brahmins of Kerala initially resisted the arrival of

the Iyers into Kerala. Temple worship in Kerala is more Tantra based

than Manthra. The Iyers who were not experts in this form of worship

were therefore denied the posts of priests in all the temples managed

by the Kerala Society. The only exception to that is of Uralikavvu

(where Roudra Kali is worshipped) near Wadakancheri, Trichur District.

During the course of time, the Iyers who came to Kerala started

getting increasing acceptance from Namboothiris. There is a story that

Mezhattor Agnihotri, the Namboothiri member of Parachi Petta

Pandeeruvar married an Iyer girl. There is also a story that a

Namboothiri household accepted Uddanda as a priest. However even 50

years ago in Guruvayur temple and in many Ootupurais Namboothiri

Brahmins were fed first and thereafter only the Iyers and Embrandiris.

Kerala Iyers were called Paradesi Brahmins in land records.

Bhasa, the author of Swapna Vasavadatta is supposed to have lived

near Trivandrum. There are reasons to believe that he was a Tamil

Brahmin but certainly no proof. If this is accepted then the migration

of Tamil Iyers would be much older than 350 years, may be 800 years.

This is also supported by the story that the Viswanatha temple in

Kalpathy was built 700 years ago.

Interestingly, the other castes of Kerala accepted the Paradesi

Brahmins as a part of Kerala Culture. Nairs, and other Ambalavasi

communities accepted the males as husbands. Iyer males were addressed

as Swami and called as Pattars. But they were considered inferior to

the Kshatriya husbands or Namboothiri husbands. In most of the

Namboothiri houses the Iyers were given free food. They were also

employed as cooks in their houses. It is interesting to note that among

the 70 people banished from Cochin State in 1905 as a result of the

Smartha Vicharam of one Thathri Kutti, ten were Tamil Iyers.

In the modern day Kerala Pattars have become an integral part of

Kerala culture. There is no hatred or rancor among other communities

towards them. In fact they are equal members of society. Pattars

constitute one of the most educated segments of society.

Some of the proverbs in Kerala about Kerala Iyers are

self-explanatory regarding the attitude of others towards them. Some of

them are:

Pattaril Pottanilla -- There is no fool among Kerala Iyers.

Onnum Kanathe Pattar Kinattil Chadilla - The Kerala Iyer will not jump into the well without any aim.

And on a lighter note...

Eli, Panni, Peruchazhy, Pattar Vanaram Tatha Evaraivarum Illengil

Malayalam Mahotsavam - If only rat, monkey, Bandicoot, Monkey and

Kerala iyers are not there, indeed Kerala would be beautiful.

Pattars also have become very interesting characters in Malayalam

literature. The most notable is their description by Kunjan Nambiar in

Ottan Thullal.

They are the butt of jokes by many even during the modern times. But

there is no rancor in these jokes. The common man in Kerala likes them,

loves them and respects them. Along with the Nairs, Ezhavas, and

Christians they are one of the most educated and moderately well off

communities of modern Kerala.

===================================

February 5, 2009

Dear Sreenadhji,

The Bhattars are not considerd equal to the palghat Iyers, there is a

difference between the two. The Bhattars are mainly temple priests, the

equivalent of the bhattars in tamilnadu are the Gurukkals. Bhattars are

found in temples in kerala and also in temples in and around

kanyakumari district, tamilnadu. Very rarely, the Bhattars get married

into Iyer families.

Regards,

bhagavathi

February 5, 2009

Dear Bhagavati ji, Bhattars are originally Bhattarakas (the Tantric Devi worshipers) who possibly migrated from Kashmir to South India, or from Gujrat region to both Kashmir region and South Indian regions (such as kerala and tamil nadu). It is there Tantric connection that makes them temple priests. Actually 'all temples are part of the Tantric tradition', even though later the vedic brahmanic priests took over it and started even the use of vedic mantras in temple worship. Bhattarakas (Bhattar) always gets a special respect due to their Tantric knowledge and understanding.Love and regards,Sreenadh , "bhagavathi_hariharan" <bhagavathi_hariharan wrote:>> Dear Sreenadhji,> > The Bhattars are not considerd equal to the palghat Iyers, there is a > difference between the two. The Bhattars are mainly temple priests, the > equivalent of the bhattars in tamilnadu are the Gurukkals. Bhattars are > found in temples in kerala and also in temples in and around > kanyakumari district, tamilnadu. Very rarely, the Bhattars get married > into Iyer families. > > > Regards,> bhagavathi>

February 5, 2009

More on "Bhats" and "Bhattars".

Some Bhats are those Pundits who have migrated from Kashmir to Uttaranchal and other places due to Muslim oppression..

Some Bhats are the Chai walahs scattered in Bombay preparing and supplying tea to the people in business areas.

Some "Bhattars" are also Marwadis who are known as so by Title.

regards/Bhaskar.

, "Sreenadh" <sreesog wrote:>> Dear Bhagavati ji,> Bhattars are originally Bhattarakas (the Tantric Devi worshipers) who> possibly migrated from Kashmir to South India, or from Gujrat region to> both Kashmir region and South Indian regions (such as kerala and tamil> nadu). It is there Tantric connection that makes them temple priests.> Actually 'all temples are part of the Tantric tradition', even though> later the vedic brahmanic priests took over it and started even the use> of vedic mantras in temple worship. Bhattarakas (Bhattar) always gets a> special respect due to their Tantric knowledge and understanding.> Love and regards,> Sreenadh> > , "bhagavathi_hariharan"> bhagavathi_hariharan@ wrote:> >> > Dear Sreenadhji,> >> > The Bhattars are not considerd equal to the palghat Iyers, there is a> > difference between the two. The Bhattars are mainly temple priests,> the> > equivalent of the bhattars in tamilnadu are the Gurukkals. Bhattars> are> > found in temples in kerala and also in temples in and around> > kanyakumari district, tamilnadu. Very rarely, the Bhattars get married> > into Iyer families.> >> >> > Regards,> > bhagavathi> >>