https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=2401%3A4900%3A3389%3A588D%3A16ED%3A9720%3A5E1B%3ABB3Bharatpedia - User contributions [en]2026-08-19T10:13:34ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kammalar_(caste)&diff=134024Kammalar (caste)2021-07-25T03:07:14Z<p>2401:4900:3389:588D:16ED:9720:5E1B:BB3: </p>
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<div>{{use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}<br />
{{use Indian English|date=October 2018}}<br />
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{{Infobox caste<br />
|caste_name=Kammalar<br />
|languages=[[Tamil language|Tamil]]<br />
|religions=[[Hinduism]]<br />
|related=[[Tamils]], [[Sri Lankan Tamils]]<br />
|subdivisions={{unbulleted list<br />
| Thachar<br />
| Karthachar<br />
| Thattar<br />
| Kollar<br />
| Kannar<br />
}}<br />
}}<br />
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The '''Kammalar (கம்மாளர்)''' is a [[Tamils|Tamil]] caste group found in the [[India]]n state of [[Tamil Nadu]] and in northeastern part of [[Sri Lanka]]. The Kammalars are involved in [[crafting]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ALUvDwAAQBAJ&|title=Historical Dictionary of the Tamils|last=Ramaswamy|first=Vijaya|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|year=2017|isbn=978-1-53810-686-0|pages=107, 184}}</ref> ''Kammalar'' is a generic term that comprises the communities of Kannar (brass-workers), Kollar (blacksmiths), Tattar (goldsmiths), Tatchar (carpenters) and Kartatchar (sculptors).<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7smFAAAAIAAJ&dq|title=Sri Lanka, a country study|last=Nyrop|first=Richard F.|last2=Studies|first2=American University (Washington, D. C. ) Foreign Area|last3=Army|first3=United States Dept of the|publisher=US Government, Dept. of the Army|year=1986|pages=108}}.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kramrisch|first=Stella|title=Exploring India's Sacred Art|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers|origyear=1983|year= 1994|isbn=|pages=61}}</ref></ref><br />
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== Etymology ==<br />
The word Kammalar is derived from the [[Tamil language|Tamil]] word ''Kam'' meaning "art" or "operation".<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?&id=Fe0vAAAAIAAJ&dq|title=Early South Indian Paleography|last=Mahalingam|first=T. V.|date=1967|publisher=University of Madras|pages=223|language=en}}</ref> The Kammalar finds mention in ancient [[Sangam literature]], mentioning them by the name ''Kammiyar.'' <ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RAVuAAAAMAAJ&dq|title=Studies in Indian history: with special reference to Tamil Nādu|last=Pillay|first=Kolappa Pillay Kanakasabhapathi|date=1979|publisher=Pillay|pages=340|language=en}}</ref> Their name is said to be derived from the phrase "one who gives the eyes", referring to their providing the eyes for statues of [[Deity|deities]].<ref name="Longo2000">{{cite book|author=Bernadette Longo|title=Spurious coin: a history of science, management, and technical writing|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eMjTOVfz_fAC&pg=PA160|access-date=24 May 2011|date=May 2000|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0-7914-4556-3|pages=160–}}</ref><br />
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== Synonyms ==<br />
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=== Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka ===<br />
In [[Tamil Nadu]], Tamil Asari is known as ''Tamil Kammalars''. They are goldsmiths and landlords.<br />
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The Pather ([[Kammalar (caste)|Kammalar]]) community in [[Nachiyar Koil]] town of [[Tamil Nadu]] are renowned for making the ornamental brass [[Nachiarkoil lamp]]s.<ref name=nachiar1>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/71543906.cms PM Narendra Modi gifts Xi Jinping Annam lamp], Times of India, 11 october 2019.</ref><br />
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== See also ==<br />
* [[Caste system in India]]<br />
* [[Caste system in Sri Lanka]]<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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[[Category:Indian castes]]<br />
[[Category:Social groups of Tamil Nadu]]<br />
[[Category:Sri Lankan Tamil castes]]<br />
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