MARAVAR

Highly dominant forward Caste See also main article Maravar

Maravar (Tamil: மறவர்) also "Maravan" (meaning "Grateful Warrior", "Punisher") are one of the oldest social groups in India. The writers of the Sangam Age place them in rural settlements withdrawn from cities. Maravars are the courageous breed and were involved in all the major wars that Tamilnadu witnessed. Kottravai(Durga), the goddess of Maravars worshipped in Palai region prescribed in Silapathikaram. The Kingdom of Ramnad was a Maravar kingdom and was ruled by the Setupati Kings[8]. Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai districts are Maravar homeland from ancient times and the entire Southern districts of Tamilnadu is Maravar stronghold.

Maravars are very brave, warlike, fierce martial group and were involved in almost all the major battles and wars that ancient Tamilakkam witnessed. Maravars are found predominantly in the Southern districts of Tamilnadu viz., Tirunelveli, Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Sivagangai, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Pudukottai, Virudhunagar, Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari districts of Tamil Nadu. The Southern martial arts of Kalarippayattu, Silambam, Varma Kalai have been practiced primarily by Maravars, Kallars, Gounders and Nairs of South India. But during the 18th and 19th centuries, most of the Maravars were assimilated in to the Tamil Padam Nair subcaste of the Nair community. The Maravar regiment of the Travancore army was known as "Maravar Padai", which supplemented Nair Pattalam, the larger indigenous military unit.[9] Tamil Padam Nair is recognized as a part of the Malayala Kshatriya social grouping.

There are 7 major subdivisions among the Maravar community. There are Appa Nattu Kondyankottai,Chembiya Nattu Maravar,Agathu Maravar,Uppu katti Maravar,Kurinchi katti Maravar,Vanikutti Maravar,Oru nattu Maravar. The Kondyan Kottai Maravars are still maintaining "Killai"(branches) as their sub sects. According to the list given by Fawcett(1903) (belongs to British East India Company), there are seven different Killai (sub castes of Maravars). They are Maurvidu, Viramuditanki, Setar, Akatiyar, Seyankondar, Nattumannar, and Alakar Pandiayan. Also, Its found that "Kotthu" (main branch of tree) being higher order unit of Killai. There were four kothu as follows, 'Milagu' (Pepper), 'Vetrilai' (Betel Leaf), 'Mundiri' (Cashew Nut), and 'Sirakka' (Cumin/Fennel). The Killai is inherited from mother. So a boy or girl will not marry in their same Killai. It is assumed that they are brother & sister. Such a practice is no longer prevailing amongst other maravars. The married women of kondyankottai maravers wear "Thali" (Thirumangalyam) in the shape of Shiva lingam. So it is called "Linga Thali". Most of the Tamil castes wear the same type of "Linga Thali".

The Chembiya Nattu Maravars are Surya vamsam. They are historically from Thanjavur. Kondayan kottai maravars women were having habits of maruthalli. But Chembiya Nattu Maravars women were having habit of Udankattai yeruthal. And 6 martial suicides are Practising by Maravar community and its called avipillai. The Fame of maravars are written in Nattrinai,kurunthogai,Agananooru,Puranaanooru,Kalithogai and many pathu pattu collection. Among maravars Chembiya marvar belong to chola dynasty,Tamil padam marvar belong to chera later become thiruvithangur. But most of maravars belong to pandyan dynasty the major soldiers of pandiyan are only marvars at the end of 15th century Kondayan kottai marvars involve in the partition of pandyan kingdom and took over the major zamins from pandyas mentioned in "Kula vamsam".

The sure name of Maravars are

All the maravar has a common tittle called Thevar.

Maravan
Valangai maran
Vilangu Thevan
Vetchi
Karanthai
Thevan
Puli maran
Gora maran
Madurai Thevan
Thumbai
Komban
Vallai Thevan
Neela maran
Pattamkatti
Thalumban
Purayar
Kottravaien Sayon
Alakiya Pandiyan
Maran
Veyyon
Ninkondan