Saurashtra people

2021-08-25T04:15:28Z

2603:7081:7D01:C347:2479:15F3:E6DF:D729: /* Language */

{{short description|Ethno-linguistic Hindu community of South India}}
{{About||the people currently living in [[Saurashtra (region)]]|Gujarati people|other uses|Saurashtra (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Saurashtra people
| image = Saurashtra people.jpg
| caption = ''From top, left to right:''<br /> [[Venkataramana Bhagavathar]], L. K. Thulasiram, [[M. N. Rajam]], [[M. V. Venkatram]], [[Vennira Aadai Nirmala]] and [[T. M. Soundararajan]]
| population = [[Wiktionary:circa|c.]] '''2 million'''<ref name="Vandhana">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/madurais-sourashtrians-are-a-disappointed-lot/article5910444.ece|title=Madurai's Sourashtrians are a disappointed lot|last=Vandhana|first=M.|date=2014-04-14|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-02-19|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
| popplace = [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Kerala]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Karnataka]]
| langs = [[Saurashtra language|Saurashtra]] ([[mother tongue]]), [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| rels = [[File:Om.svg|15px]] [[Hinduism]]
| related = [[Pancha-Gauda|Pancha-Gauda Brahmins]], [[Gauda Brahmins]], [[Girnara Brahmin]], [[Chitpavan|Chitpavan Brahmins]], [[Deshastha Brahmins]], [[Saraswat Brahmins]], [[Konkani people]], [[Sanketi people]], [[Tamil people]]
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
}}

The '''Saurashtra people''', or '''Saurashtrians''',<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1140713/jsp/7days/18609254.jsp|title=Girls Don't Say AYAYYO Here Anymore|last=Shanmugam|first=Kavitha|date=2014|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=2018-09-02}}</ref> are an [[Indo-Aryan peoples|Indo-Aryan]] [[Ethnolinguistic group|ethno-linguistic]] [[Hindu]] community of [[South India]] who speak the [[Saurashtra language]], an [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan language]], and predominantly reside in the [[Indian people|Indian]] [[States and union territories of India|states]] of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Kerala]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Karnataka]].<ref name=":13">{{Cite news|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/saz|title=Saurashtra|work=Ethnologue|access-date=2018-02-20|language=en}}</ref>

Saurashtrians trace their ancestry to the historical region of [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] in [[Western India]]. Their migration to [[Southern India]] owes to the forays and desecration of the [[Somnath temple]] triggered by the frequent [[Muslim invasions of India|Muslim invasions]], most notably by [[Mahmud Ghazni]]. They were a prominent industrious and prosperous [[mercantile]] community of [[merchant]]s and [[Weaving|weavers]] in southern India until the 20th century.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Entrepreneurship and Business Communities in Colonial Madras 1900–1929, in D. Tripathy (Ed.) Business Communities of India|last=Mahadevan|first=Raman|publisher=Monohar Publications|year=1984|pages=210–225}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rW7MYYWUMWYC&q=sourashtra+merchants&pg=PA116|title=The Return of the Guilds|last1=Lucassen|first1=Jan|last2=Moor|first2=Tine De|last3=Zanden|first3=Jan Luiten van|date=2008|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521737654|pages=115|language=en}}</ref>

Saurashtrians are [[Brahmin]]s,<ref name=":17">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CCqiAwAAQBAJ&q=pattavayaka&pg=PA110|title=Globalising Migration History: The Eurasian Experience (16th–21st Centuries)|last=Jan Lucassen|first=Leo Lucassen|date=2014-03-27|publisher=BRILL|isbn=9789004271364|pages=109–112, 121|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5CYxDwAAQBAJ|title=Migrations in Medieval and Early Colonial India|last=Ramaswamy|first=Vijaya|date=2017-07-05|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781351558242|pages=172–190|language=en}}</ref> and are also referred to as '''Saurashtra Brahmins'''.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/where-they-have-come-to-stay/article28402513.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|title=Where they have come to stay|last=M.R|first=Aravindan|date=17 March 2003|access-date=7 September 2019}}</ref><ref name=":25">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/the-mountain-trails-of-a-divine-legend/article5473004.ece|title=The mountain trails of a divine legend|last=Pereira|first=Ignatius|date=2013-12-18|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-01-07|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/20-more-keerthanas-of-Tyagaraja%E2%80%99s-disciple-discovered/article13985821.ece|title=20 more keerthanas of Tyagaraja's disciple discovered|last=Kolappan|first=B.|date=2016-01-07|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-09-18|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiadivine.org/content/topic/969804-saurashtrians-the-genuine-aryans-part-three/|title=Saurashtrians – The Genuine Aryans (Part Three)|website=IndiaDivine.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/03/18/stories/2005031800330300.htm|title=The Hindu : Entertainment Chennai / Personality : Illustrious disciple of saint-poet|date=2005|website=www.thehindu.com|archive-date=2005|access-date=2018-04-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FezZAAAAMAAJ&q=Saurashtra|title=Indian Society: Continuity, Change, and Development : in Honour of Prof. M. Suryanarayana|last1=Suryanarayana|first1=M.|last2=Reddy|first2=P. Sudhakar|last3=Gangadharam|first3=V.|publisher=Commonwealth Publishers|year=2002|isbn=9788171696932|pages=93, 95, 99|language=en}}</ref> Further, like all traditional [[Orthodox Hinduism|orthodox]] Brahmins, they are classified based on their [[gotra]], or [[patrilineal descent]]. The majority of the people are [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnava]]s, though there is a significant proportion of [[Shaivism|Shaiva]]s as well. They are prominently known by their unique family names and also use the titles [[Sharma]],<ref name=":6" /> [[Rao (Indian surname)|Rao]],<ref name=":20">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-lY6AAAAMAAJ&q=Saurashtra+Brahman|title=The loom of interdependence: silkweaving cooperatives in Kanchipuram|last=Arterburn|first=Yvonne J.|date=1982|publisher=Hindustan Pub. Co.|pages=44, 47, 50–53|isbn=9780391027497|language=en}}</ref> Iyer,<ref name=":20" /> Iyengar and Achary<ref name=":26" /> as their surnames but belong to [[linguistic minorities]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-Tamilnadu/Minority-front-to-field-8-candidates/article16626166.ece|title=Minority front to field 8 candidates|date=2009-04-29|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-02-28|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Names==
Their name has many alternate spellings, including ''Sourashtra'', ''Sowrashtra, Sowrastra'' and ''Sourashtri''.<ref name=":13" /> Saurashtrians are colloquially called as ''Palkar'' among themselves.<ref name=":28" /> They have also been known as ''Patnūlkarar'', but the term is obsolete.

== Etymology ==

The word ''Saurashtra'' literally means "a good state". It is derived from ''Su'' meaning good, ''Rashtra'' meaning state and the other compound of ''[[Saura]]'' and ''Rashtra'', meaning "the land of the [[Sun]]".<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NYK7ZSpPzkUC|title=The Rajputs of Saurashtra|last=Singhji|first=Virbhadra|date=1994|publisher=Popular Prakashan|isbn=9788171545469|pages=29|language=en}}</ref> These people were once sun worshipers and have built [[sun temple]]s. The people worshiping [[Surya]] or [[Saura]] and inhabiting the land of the Sun are called as ''Saurashtrians''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boloji.com/articles/50184/the-possibility-of-developing-an-oldest-language|title=The Possibility of Developing an Oldest Language! by T. A. Ramesh|website=www.boloji.com|access-date=2019-01-27}}</ref>

The [[Tamil language|Tamil]] name by which these people were also known in [[Tamil Nadu]] is ''[[Patnūlkarar]],''<ref name=":12">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PTPCpA6xg0QC&q=saurashtra+Brahmans&pg=PA106|title=Home Away from Home: Inland Movement of People in India|last=Singh|first=Mahavir|publisher=Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies|year=2005|isbn=9788179750872|pages=105–106|language=en}}</ref> which means [[silk]]-[[Zari|thread]] people,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections-2016/tamil-nadu-elections-2016/Believe-it-or-not-the-Gujarati-vote-is-key-in-Madurai-South/articleshow/52002894.cms|title=Believe it or not, the Gujarati vote is key in Madurai South – Times of India|last=Sivarajah|first=Padmini|date=2016|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-03-09}}</ref> mostly [[Silk in the Indian subcontinent|silk]]-[[Zari|thread]] [[merchants]] and [[Silk in the Indian subcontinent|silk]] [[Weaving|weavers]],<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sbs4DwAAQBAJ&q=Saurashtrians&pg=PA148|title=Forest Tribology And Anthropology|last1=M|first1=Mhaiske, Vinod|last2=K|first2=Patil, Vinayak|last3=S|first3=Narkhede, S.|date=2016-03-01|publisher=Scientific Publishers|isbn=9789386102089|pages=148|language=en}}</ref> since the early settlers set up silk-weaving [[guild]]s and were involved in the [[trade]] of silk [[Clothing|clothes]] and [[Diamond (gemstone)|diamonds]] to the royal families of [[Tamil country]].<ref name=":11" /> After the [[Gupta dynasty]], silk became the attire of [[royal families]], the Saurashtrians were patronized by several dynasties across [[North India]] and the [[Chola dynasty|Chola]], [[Pandya dynasty|Pandya]], [[Vijayanagara dynasty|Vijayanagara]], [[Nayak dynasty|Nayak]] and [[Thanjavur Maratha kingdom|Thanjavur Maratha]] rulers patronized them in ancient [[South India]].<ref name=":27" /> Their specialty was considered so honorable and complicated that they were in some cases exchanged as a major aspect of marriage settlements or as endowments to neighbouring kingdoms.<ref name=":28">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/31/indian-film-makers-try-to-save-saurashtrian-language-from-extinction|title=Indian film-makers try to save vanishing language from extinction|last=Doshi|first=Vidhi|date=2016-05-31|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-06-09|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

These people are first mentioned as ''Pattavayaka'', the [[Sanskrit]] equivalent of ''Patnūlkarar'' in the [[Mandasor]] (present day [[Madhya Pradesh]]) inscriptions of [[Kumaragupta I]] belonging to the 5th century AD. They are also mentioned by the same name in the [[Patteeswaram]] inscriptions of [[Thanjavur]] belonging to the mid 16th century AD<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ix0uAAAAMAAJ|title=Tamilnatil Saurashtrar : Muzhu Varalaru|last=Sethuraman|first=K. R.|date=1977|publisher=Saurashtra Cultural Academy|pages=10–15|language=ta}}</ref> and in the inscriptions of [[Mangammal|Rani Mangammal]] of [[Madurai]] belonging to the 17th century AD.<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jRIwAQAAIAAJ&q=pattavayaka|title=People of India|last1=Singh|first1=Kumar Suresh|last2=India|first2=Anthropological Survey of|publisher=Anthropological Survey of India|year=2001|isbn=9788185938882|pages=1303|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mYKAAAAAMAAJ&q=pattavayaka|title=Mobile, and Marginalized Peoples: Perspectives from the Past|last1=Heredia|first1=Rudolf C.|last2=Ratnagar|first2=Shereen|date=2003-01-01|publisher=Manohar|isbn=9788173044977|pages=93|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":18">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cqAlHNTOWJgC&q=pattavayaka|title=Madura Gazetteer|last=Jensen|first=Herman|publisher=Cosmo Publications|year=2002|isbn=9788170209690|pages=109–112|language=en}}</ref>

==Identity==
Saurashtrians are well assimilated in Tamil society, without any outward differentiation. Apart from certain religious adherences, [[Brahmanism|brahminism]] and [[vegetarianism]], their culture is similar to the rest of [[Tamil Nadu]]. Though their physical features are not similar to [[Tamils]], they have [[Tamil names]] and are essentially a part of [[Tamil People|Tamil people]], yet distinct in their ethnic identity and can be called as ''Saurashtrian Tamils''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/books-and-art/150719/how-indias-cultural-pluralism-is-better-seen-by-business-leaders.html|title=How India's cultural pluralism is better seen by business leaders|last=Venkatesh|first=M. R.|date=2019-07-15|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2019-07-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uRxAOJWnyEwC&q=Saurashtrian+Tamils&pg=PA18|title=Ritualizing on the Boundaries: Continuity and Innovation in the Tamil Diaspora|last=Clothey|first=Fred W.|date=2006|publisher=Univ of South Carolina Press|isbn=9781570036477|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/textile-and-silk-trade-have-to-be-encouraged-gujarat-minister-madurai/article28814688.ece|title=Textile and silk trade have to be encouraged|date=2019-08-04|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-08-11|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/gujarat-minister-hails-contribution-of-sourashtrian-tamils/articleshow/70517278.cms|title=Gujarat minister hails contribution of 'Sourashtrian Tamils'|date=4 August 2019|newspaper=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-08-14}}</ref>

== Origin ==
{{See also|Saurashtra Kingdom}}

The [[Bhagavata Purana]] mentions that the ancient [[Abhira]]s were the rulers of [[Saurashtra Kingdom]] and [[Avanti (India)|Avanti Kingdom]] and they were followers of the [[Vedas]], who worshiped [[Vishnu]] as their supreme deity.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xJNHAAAAMAAJ&q=Saurastra+|title=Yadavas Through the Ages|last=Yadav|first=J. N. Singh|date=1997-10-01|publisher=Sharada Publishing House|isbn=9788185616032|pages=146|language=en}}</ref> These ancient provinces as depicted in the epic literature of [[Mahabharata]] roughly corresponds to the present day [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] region of southern [[Gujarat]] and [[Malwa]] region of [[Madhya Pradesh]].

Their origin is [[Dwarka]], land of Lord [[Krishna]],<ref name=":5" /> the origin of the name date backs to the time when the ancestors of these people inhabited the [[Lata (region)|Lata]] region of [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] in southern [[Gujarat]].<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>J.S. Venkatavarma, Sourashtra Charitra Sangraham (Madura, 1915)</ref> Saurashtrians are originally [[Gauda Brahmins]] and belong to [[Pancha-Gauda|Pancha-Gauda Brahmins]].<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rjJjDwAAQBAJ&q=sourashtra+gotras&pg=PT31|title=India Moving: A History of Migration|last=Tumbe|first=Chinmay|date=2018-07-20|publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited|isbn=9789353051631|language=en}}</ref> After their southward migration they have been called as [[Saurashtra language|Saurashtra]] [[Brahmin]]s.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":25" /><ref name=":12" /><ref name=":11">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Meet-three-of-Chennais-oldest-communities-from-the-north/articleshow/53140598.cms|title=Meet three of Chennai's oldest communities from the north – Times of India|last=Joseph|first=Ashish|date=2016|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-03-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vepachedu.org/manasanskriti/aaraamadraavida.html#2_Saurashtra|title=Aaraamadraavida Vamsacharitra (Arama Dravida) Brahmins, Mana Sanskriti|last=Dvivedula|first=Anamtapadmanaabham|date=2005|website=www.vepachedu.org|access-date=2018-03-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/like-a-cloud-of-steam/article8532410.ece|title=Like a cloud of steam|last=Krishnan|first=Lalithaa|date=2016-04-28|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-04-02|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> They had their original homes in present-day [[Gujarat]] and migrated to [[South India]] over a [[millennium]] ago.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.popsci.com/article/science/how-gene-fair-skin-spread-across-india#page-3|title=How A Gene For Fair Skin Spread Across India|last=Diep|first=Francie|date=2013|work=Popular Science|access-date=2018-04-02|language=en}}</ref> They are currently scattered over various places of [[Tamil Nadu]] and are mostly concentrated in [[Madurai]], [[Thanjavur]] and [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]] [[Districts of India|Districts]].<ref name=":1">"The Saurashtra Community in Madurai, South India", Albert James Saunders, The American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 32, No. 5 (Mar. 1927) pp. 787–799, published by: The University of Chicago Press.</ref>

== History ==
{{See also|Saurashtra (state)}}

Saurashtrians migrated from southern [[Gujarat]] in 11th century AD after the fall of [[Somnath Temple]]<ref name=":9">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/sourashtra-community-in-celebration-mode/article6055990.ece|title=Sourashtra community in celebration mode|last=Rohith|first=S. Mohammed|date=2014-05-28|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-03-22|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> when [[Mahmud of Ghazni]] invaded [[Greater India|India]]. It is said that the Saurashtrians lived in [[Devagiri]], the present day [[Daulatabad, Maharashtra|Daulatabad]] of [[Maharashtra]] during the regime of the [[Seuna (Yadava) dynasty|Yadava]] kings up to 13th century AD. After the fall of [[Seuna (Yadava) dynasty|Yadavas]] in 14th century AD they moved to [[Vijayanagar Empire]], with its capital at [[Hampi]] in present-day [[Karnataka]] by the invitation of the Kings. The expansion of [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagar empire]] brought the Saurashtrians into [[South India]] in 14th century AD, since they were highly skilled manufacturers of fine [[silk]] [[garments]] and were patronized by the Kings and their families.<ref name=":27">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/History-woven-into-this-silk-lane/articleshow/36224081.cms|title=History woven into this silk lane – Times of India|last=J|first=Arockiaraj|website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-01-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FGvXAAAAMAAJ&q=Saurashtra+Brahmins|title=Theerthayathra: A Pilgrimage Through Various Temples|last=Srikumaran|first=K.|date=2005|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan|isbn=9788172763633|pages=125–126|language=en}}</ref> After the fall of [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagar empire]] they were welcomed by the [[Nayak dynasty|Nayak]] Kings of [[Thanjavur]] during mid 16th century AD<ref name=":0" /> and [[Madurai]] during 17th century AD and were allowed to settle near the [[Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal|Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace.]]<ref name="Vandhana" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.boloji.com/articles/759/the-unwritten-history-of-the-saurashtrians-of-south-india|title=The Unwritten History of the Saurashtrians of South India|last=T K|first=Ramesh|work=Boloji|access-date=2018-02-19}}</ref><ref name=":19">{{Cite book|title=The Saurashtrians of South India|last=Randle|first=H.N|publisher=K. V. Padmanabha Iyer|year=1949|location=Madurai}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite book|title=A Brief Study of the Saurashtra Community in the Madras State|last=Gopalakrishnan|first=M S|publisher=The Institute of Traditional Cultures Madras|year=1966|location=Madras|pages= 42}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8eYtAAAAMAAJ&q=pattavayaka|title=The Saurashtrians in South India: Their Language, Literature, and Culture|last=Dave|first=Ishvarlal Ratilal|date=1976|publisher=Saurashtra University|language=en}}</ref>

== Social Division ==
===Occupation, divisions, sects and gotras===
From the view point of an outsider the community may be seen as a [[Homogeneity and heterogeneity|homogenous]] one. However, in reality many subdivisions exist among them at various levels. Occupationally, the Saurashtrians may be classified broadly as [[Vedic priesthood|priests]], [[merchant]]s and [[Weaving|weavers]].<ref name=":3" />

====Divisions====
When the Saurashtrians settled in the South, they reproduced the institutions of their mother country in the new land, but, owing to the influence of the Southern [[Dravidian people|Dravidians]], some of the institutions became extinct. During their migrations, the men were under the guidance of their leader and the process of migration tended to increase the power of kinship.<ref name=":23">{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291970919|title=In search of Hegemony Comparative Case study of Brahmins of North And South India|last=Mitra|first=Debashish|website=www.researchgate.net|access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref><ref name="Thurston">{{cite book|last=Thurston|first=Edgar |title=Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Volume VI of VII|year=1909|publisher=Government Press|location=Madras}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

The people were divided into 5 heads –

*''Goundans'' (Chiefs);
*''Soulins'' (Elders);
*''Voyduns'' (Physicians);
*''Bhoutuls'' (Religious men);
*''Karesthals'' (Commons).<ref name="Thurston"/><ref name=":24">{{Cite journal|last=Randle|first=H. N.|date=1944|title=The Saurashtrians of South India|journal=Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society|language=en|volume=76|issue=3–4|pages=151–164|doi=10.1017/S0035869X00099020|issn=1356-1863}}</ref>

Traces of this institution still survive. The ''Goundans'' were the judges in both civil and criminal affairs. They were aided in deciding cases by a body of nobles called ''Soulins''. The office of the ''Soulins'' is to make enquiries, and try all cases connected with the community, and to abide by the decision of the chiefs. The ''Voyduns'' ([[vaidya]]s) and ''Bhoutuls'' ([[pandit]]s, [[joshi]]s and kavis) also ranked with ''Voyduns'' and had their honours on all important occasions, and they are placed in the same rank with the elders. The ''Karesthals'' (commons), are the whole body of masses. Their voice is necessary on certain important occasions, as during the ceremonies of excommunication, ''[[prayaschitta]]s'' for admitting renegades, and during periodical meetings of the community.<ref name=":23" /><ref name="Thurston"/><ref name=":24" />

====Sects====
The Saurashtrians may further be divided into three sects on a [[Religion|religious]] basis. viz.,
* [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavites]], who wear the vertical Vaishnavite mark, and call themselves northerners;
* [[Smarta tradition|Smarthas]], who wear horizontal marks;
* [[Dvaita Vedanta|Madhvas]], who wear gopi (Sandal paste) as their sect mark.

All the above three divisions intermarry and interdine, and the religious difference does not create a distinction in the community. The Saurashtrians classify their ancestors as originally belonging to the two lines of ''Thiriyarisham'' and ''Pancharisham'' descent groups. They follow ''[[Apastamba Dharmasutra]]'' and belong to the [[Ahobila Matha|Ahobila]] and [[Sankaracharya]] [[Matha]]s. Their religion is [[Hinduism]], they follow [[Yajurveda]],<ref name=":4" /> and they were originally [[Dvaita Vedanta|Madhvas]]. After their settlement in [[South India|Southern India]], some of them, owing to the preachings of [[Adi Shankara|Sankaracharya]] and [[Ramanuja]]charya, were converted into [[Shaivism|Saivites]] and [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavites]] respectively.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":19" />

====Gotras====
{{See also|Pravaras}}

Saurashtrians, like all other [[Hindu]] [[Brahmin]]s, trace their paternal ancestors to one of the seven or eight sages, the [[Saptarshi|saptarishis]]. They classify themselves into [[gotra]]s, named after the ancestor [[rishi]] and each gotra consists of different family names. The gotra was inherited from [[Guru]] at the time of [[Upanayana]], in ancient times, so it is a remnant of Guru-shishya tradition, but since the tradition is no longer followed, during Upanayana ceremony father acts as Guru of his son, so the son inherits his father's gotra. The entire community consists of 64 [[gotra]]s.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=umY6AQAAIAAJ&q=sourashtra+gotras|title=The Illustrated Weekly of India|date=1976|publisher=Published for the proprietors, Bennett, Coleman & Company, Limited, at the Times of India Press|language=en}}</ref>

Saurashtrians belong to following gotras.<ref name=":26">{{Cite web|url=http://www.rjisacjournal.com/socio-economic-conditions-of-saurashtras-in-kanyakumari-district/|title=Socio Economic Conditions of Saurashtras in Kanyakumari district|last=Baby|first=K|website=rjisacjournal.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref>
{{columns-list|colwidth=12em|*[[Agastya|Agasthiya]]
*[[Angiras (sage)|Angeerasa]]
*[[Aruni]]
*Asitha
*[[Atri|Athreya]]
*[[Bhagiratha|Bhageeratha]]
*[[Bharadwaj]]a
*[[Bhrigu|Bhargava]]
*[[Chyavana]]
*[[Dadhichi|Dadheecha]]
*[[Devala]]
*[[Durvasa]]
*Galava
*[[Garga (sage)|Gargeya]]
*[[Gautama Maharishi|Gowthama]]
*Gowthsa
*[[Harita|Haritha]]
*Hothra
*Idhmavaaha
*[[Jaabaali|Jabali]]
*[[Jaimini|Jaimuni]]
*[[Jamadagni]]
*[[Jahnu|Jannhu]]
*[[Kanva]]
*Kavasa
*[[Kashyapa|Khasyaba]]
*Koumanda
*[[Kaundinya|Koundinya]]
*[[Kaushika|Kousika]]
*Kupitha
*[[Mandavya|Maandavya]]
*Mandabala
*Mareesi
*[[Markandeya]]
*[[Matanga Muni|Mathanga]]
*[[Medhātithi|Medhatithi]]
*Moudgalya
*Mounjanya
*Mythreya
*[[Aurva|Ourva]]
*[[Pulaha|Pailava]]
*[[Parashara|Parasara]]
*[[Pippalada|Pippala]]
*Pramathi
*Saaliga
*[[Śakti Maharṣi|Sakthi]]
*[[Sandilya (Rishi)|Sandialya]]
*[[Śarabhanga|Sarabhanga]]
*Soomantha
*Soubari
*Shazhiya
*[[Shaunaka|Sounaka]]
*[[Shrivatsa|Srivathsa]]
*[[Upamanyu]]
*Usena
*[[Uttanka|Uthanga]]
*[[Vātsyāyana|Vaathsaayana]]
*[[Vaisampayana]]
*[[Valmiki]]
*[[Vamadeva]]
*[[Vasishtha|Vasista]]
*[[Vatsa|Vathsa]]
*[[Vishvamitra|Viswamithra]]
*[[Vyasa]]
}}
Marriage within common [[gotra]] is strictly prohibited.<ref name=":18" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":2" />

====Kuladevatas====
{{See also|Iṣṭa-devatā (Hinduism)}}
Every Saurashtrian family has their own family patron deity or the ''[[Kuladevata]]''. This deity is common to a lineage or a clan of several families who are connected to each other through a common ancestor. The practice of worshiping local or territorial deities as Kuladevata began in the period of the [[Yadava dynasty]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2019}}

== Culture ==
===Saṃskāras, rituals and Festivals===
Saurashtrians have been traditionally an [[Orthodox Hinduism|orthodox]] and closely knit community. They are essentially [[Aryan|northern]] in their customs, manners and social structure. Traditionally, joint family was a social and economic unit for them. Moreover, the pattern of joint family helped them transmit their [[tradition]]al culture to the younger generations.<ref name=":19" /><ref name=":8" />

====Saṃskāras====
Saurashtrians strictly adhere to all the ''[[Saṃskāra|Ṣoḍaśa Saṃskāra]]'' or 16 [[Hindu]] [[Sanskara (rite of passage)|Samskaras]],<ref name=":11" /> out of which, the main social customs among them consist of six social [[Ceremony|ceremonies]] in the life of a person. (1) the [[naming ceremony]]; (2) the [[Upanayana|sacred thread]] ceremony; (3) [[puberty]]; (4) [[marriage]]; (5) the attainment of the age of sixty; (6) the [[Antyesti|funeral rites]].<ref name=":19" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":21">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=69yAAAAAMAAJ|title=Oral literature of the Saurashtrans|last=Učida|first=Norihiko|date=1979|publisher=Simant Publications India|language=en}}</ref>

The [[rite]]s that are performed following the birth of a child are known as ''[[Jatakarma|jathakarma]]''. The naming ceremony in particular is known as ''[[namakarana]]m''. The main aim of performing these birth ceremonies is to purify and to safeguard the child from diseases. These rituals are believed to check the ill effects of Planetary movement. The above rites were carried out on the eleventh day after birth of the child. Grandfather's name was much preferred for a male child and the name of a female deity was suggested for female child.<ref name=":8" />

The ''vaduhom'' ceremony ([[sacred thread ceremony]]) of Saurashtrians is basically the ''[[upanayana]]m'' ceremony. This ceremony is exceedingly important among them. This is performed between seventh and thirteenth years. In rare cases when the sacred thread ceremony was not held in the young ages, it would be performed at the time of marriage. The goal of this ceremony was to highlight their [[Brahminical]] status. During this ceremony there was much feasting and entertainment which lasted for four days.<ref name=":8" />

Among the Saurashtrians, attaining [[puberty]] was the greatest event in a girl's life. They also perform a pre-puberty marriage.<ref name=":21" />

The wedding ceremony lasted 11 days with as many as 36 [[ritual]]s. All these rituals were conducted by the Saurashtrian [[Vedic priesthood|priests]] who were a separate clan in the community.<ref name=":5" /> The Saurashtrians have their own marital arrangements. Before a marriage is fixed, a long negotiation takes place between the parents of both partners. Being traditional [[Orthodox Hinduism|orthodox]] [[Brahmin]]s they are very much particular in matching the [[horoscope]] of the couple. A man may claim his maternal uncle's daughter as his wife, and [[polygamy]] is permitted. Girls get married at an early age. Marriage within common gotra is strictly prohibited among them.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":21" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiapost.com/what-makes-sourashtra-weddings-unique-in-their-own-ways/|title=What Makes Sourashtra Weddings Unique in Their Own Ways?|website=India Post|date=28 May 2019|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-29}}</ref>

Death rituals are termed as ''abarakkirigai'' or ''[[Antyesti|andhiyaeshti]]'' in the Saurashtrian community. ''[[Antyesti|Andhiyaeshti]]'' means the last or final fire. These rituals are carried out by the eldest son of the deceased. In case of no son, the relatives carry out the last rites. ''Kartha'' is the name given to the one who carries out this rite. The performance of the rite signifies the belief that the life is continuous and does not end by one's death. Further, the deceased are believed to reach the level of the deities. The period of mourning lasts for ten days, but it is repeated every year in the form of ''[[Śrāddha|sraddha]]'' ceremonies.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":19" />

====Festivals====
The Saurashtrians are of a religious bent of mind and they value morality and high character. The chief divinity of Saurashtrians is [[Venkateswara|Venkateshwara]] of [[Tirupati]]. Among other Gods they worshipped Sun God, [[Rama]] etc. They made regular visits to [[Meenakshi Temple|Meenakshi temple]]. They celebrate [[Kolattam]], [[Chithirai festival]] and [[Rama Navami|Ramanavami]] with great enthusiasm, and observe [[Diwali|Deepawali]], [[Ganesh Chaturthi|Ganesh Chathurthi]], [[Dussehra]], [[Vaikuntha Ekadashi|Vaikunta Ekadasi]] and [[Avani Avittam]] as important religious days.<ref name=":5" /> Their present social customs differ markedly from the traditional pattern and bear a close resemblance to those of [[Tamils]]. Only some orthodox well-to-do [[merchant]] families stick to their older customs.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":21" />

===Attire===
The way of living of the Saurashtrian men resembles to that of [[Iyengar]] Brahmins and the living of Saurashtrian women resembles to that of [[Telugu Brahmin]]s .

Saurashtrian men wear [[dhoti]] or ''veshti'' with a shirt and scarf called ''khesa'' just like other Brahmin men. The men keep the hair-knot or ''[[sikha]]'' on the head with a [[vermilion]] mark or ''naamam'' on their forehead.

The Saurashtrian women wear [[Sari|saree]] in a different manner than the [[Tamils|Tamil]] women. The unmarried ones wear in [[Bengalis|Bengali]] style, while the married ones wear in [[Marathi people|Marathi]] style. The shape and size of the ornaments worn by the Saurashtrian women are similar to that of [[Telugu Brahmin]] women. The ornaments are mostly made of precious [[diamond]]s and [[gold]]. The women also put vermilion mark on their foreheads just like the males but in smaller length and also decorate their head with flowers called as ''veni''.<ref name=":3" />

===Cuisine===
{{See also|Tamil cuisine}}

The Saurashtrian cuisine is famous for its mixed rice dishes that includes [[Pulihora|puliyotharai]] ([[tamarind]] rice), tomato rice with a hint of [[cinnamon]], kalkandu ([[sugar candy]]) rice, sakkarai pongal<ref name=":10">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/food/chef-shri-bala/article23760448.ece|title=Forgotten foods of Tamizhagam|last=Das|first=Rajashree|date=2018-05-03|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-12-24|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> ''(''a dessert made of cotton seed milk'')''<ref name=":10" /> and [[Fried rice|lemon rice]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/10-restaurants-to-visit-in-madurai-and-what-to-order-1675384|title=10 Restaurants to Visit in Madurai and What to Order|work=NDTV Food|access-date=2018-10-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cntraveller.in/story/the-best-meals-to-have-in-madurai-dosa-idli-idiyappam/|title=The best meals to have in Madurai|date=2018-08-22|work=Condé Nast Traveller India|access-date=2018-10-19|language=en-US}}</ref> Apart from these dishes Saurashtrians have special liking towards [[halva]] and [[Puran poli|poli]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.indulgexpress.com/life-style/food/2017/jul/07/taste-of-kanchipuram-at-coimbatore-2582--1.html|title=Taste of Kanchipuram at Coimbatore|access-date=2018-10-19}}</ref> Other South Indian delicacies such as [[dosa]]s, [[idli]], [[Sambar (dish)|sambar]] and [[Rasam (dish)|rasam]] etc. are also favored by the Saurashtrians. Rasam believed to have originated in the 16th century in Madurai by Saurashtrians. They prefer calling it ‘''Pulichaar''’ which means tart or tamarind.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-04|title=TN Chef Makes Rasam Viral in US: The Story of South India's Grand Old Dish|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/244009/viral-trending-america-rasam-tamil-nadu-chef-health-benefits-history-india-gop94/|access-date=2021-04-08|website=The Better India|language=en-US}}</ref> Several historians believe that it was Saurashtrian [[textile]] merchants who introduced idly to [[South India]] during the 10th and 12th centuries. There are even claims that a mix of rice and [[urad dal]] ground together and later steamed to form cakes had its origins in [[Gujarat]]. This was called ''Iddada''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://food.manoramaonline.com/food/foodie/2017/03/30/celebrating-moon-faced-health-food-world-idly-day.html|title=Celebrating the moon-faced health food on World Idli Day|work=OnManorama|access-date=2018-10-19}}</ref> Another dish that the Saurashtrian [[Merchant|traders]] brought to Madurai in the 16th century is a [[Vada (food)|vada]] made from deep-fried [[spinach]], it became the keerai vadai and remains a specialty of Madurai.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/tried-and-tasted-food-walks-bring-history-alive-in-dehradun-madurai-kolkata/story-o98MixBzIZThLAcKfMsKmK.html|title=Tried and tasted: Food walks bring history alive in Dehradun, Madurai, Kolkata|last=Ghosh|first=Madhusree|date=2019-02-16|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-06-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/tried-and-tasted/|title=Tried and tasted|date=2020-02-29|work=[[The Navhind Times]]|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-01}}</ref>

====Diet====

Traditionally, Saurashtrians are [[vegetarian]] and those who are involved in priesthood activities adhere to [[strict vegetarianism]]. [[Rice]] is their staple food along with [[Sambar (dish)|sambar]], gojju & amti ([[Rasam (dish)|rasam]]). However, nowadays, some occasionally take [[non-vegetarian]] food.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Gujarat-weavers-who-settled-in-Madurai-centuries-ago-brought-with-them-a-unique-language/articleshow/52927461.cms|title=Gujaratis who settled in Madurai centuries ago brought with them a unique language – Times of India|last=Parmar|first=Vijaysinh|date=2016|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-03-21}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{See also|Ethnic groups of Tamil Nadu}}

There are three group of Saurashtrians living in [[Tamil Nadu]]. First migrants came to [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]] and settled there, second group of migrants settled in [[Tanjore|Thanjavur]] and its surrounding places and later third group of migrants settled in [[Madurai]] and its surrounding places. Saurashtrians maintain a predominant presence in [[Madurai]], a city, also known as 'Temple City' in the southern part of [[Tamil Nadu]]. Though official figures are hard to come by, it is believed that the Saurashtrian population is anywhere between one-fourth and one-fifth of the city's total population.

They are present in significant numbers in [[Ambur]], [[Ammapettai, Thanjavur|Ammapettai]], [[Ammaiyappan|Ammayappan]], [[Aranthangi]], [[Arni, Tiruvannamalai|Arni]], [[Ayyampettai, Thanjavur|Ayyampettai]], [[Bhuvanagiri, Tamil Nadu|Bhuvanagiri]], [[Chennai]], [[Darasuram|Dharasuram]], [[Dindigul]], [[Erode]], [[Kanchipuram|Kancheepuram]], [[Kanyakumari]], [[Karaikudi]], [[Kottar]], [[Krishnapuram, Thanjavur district|Krishnapuram]], [[Kumbakonam]], [[Namakkal]], [[Nilakkottai|Nilakottai]], [[Palani]], [[Palayamkottai]], [[Paramakudi]], [[Parambur]], [[Periyakulam]], [[Pondicherry|Puducherry]], [[Pudukkottai]], [[Rajapalayam]], [[Ramanathapuram]], [[Rasipuram]], [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]], [[Thanjavur]], [[Thirubuvanam, Thanjavur|Thirubhuvanam]], [[Thiruvaiyaru]], [[Thiruvarur]], [[Thuvarankurichi]], [[Tirunelveli]], [[Tiruvannamalai]], [[Iluppur|Illuppur]], Thiruvappur, [[Tiruchirappalli|Trichy]], [[Vaniyambadi]], [[Veeravanallur]], Vellanguli, Pudukudi, Kilakukulam, Krishnapuram, [[Vellore]], [[Walajapet]] in [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref name=":13" />

They are also present in [[Trivandrum]] and [[Kochi]] in [[Kerala]], [[Bangalore|Bengaluru]] in [[Karnataka]],<ref name=":13" /> [[Hyderabad]] in [[Telangana]] and [[Tirumala - Tirupati|Tirupati]], [[Vizianagaram]], [[Vijayawada]], [[Nellore]], [[Srikakulam]], [[Vishakapatnam]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]]<ref name=":13" /> are said to house several Saurashtrian families, known as ''[[Pattusali]].''<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jHQMAQAAMAAJ&q=pattusali+sourashtra|title=People of India: A – G.- Volume 4|publisher=Oxford Univ. Press|year=1998|isbn=9780195633542|pages=3189|language=en}}</ref>

==Language==
{{Main|Saurashtra language}}
{{See also|Saurashtra script}}

The mother tongue of Saurashtrians is [[Saurashtra language|Saurashtra]] (alternate names and spellings: Sourashtra, Sowrashtra, Sourashtri, Palkar), a [[dialect]] of [[Gujarati languages|Gujarati]] with the amalgamation of present-day [[Sanskrit]], [[Hindi]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Konkani language|Konkani]], [[Kannada]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]] & [[Tamil language|Tamil]] but most of them are [[Multilingualism|bilingual]]<ref name=":6" /> and can speak either [[Tamil language|Tamil]] or [[Telugu language|Telugu]] or one of the local languages.

[[Saurashtra language|Saurashtra]], an offshoot of [[Sauraseni Prakrit]],<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/090616/custodians-safeguard-saurashtra-language.html|title=Custodians safeguard Saurashtra language|last=Vannan|first=Gokul|date=2016-06-09|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=2018-03-22|language=en}}</ref> once spoken in the [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra region]] of [[Gujarat]], is spoken today chiefly by the population of Saurashtrians settled in parts of [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/akademi-award-for-tn-writers-who-revived-sourashtra-literature/article16936860.ece1|title=Akademi award for TN writers who revived Sourashtra literature|last=Kolappan|first=B.|date=2016-12-24|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-03-08|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> With the Saurashtrian language being the only [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan language]] employing a [[Dravidian languages|Dravidian]] [[Tamil script|script]] and is heavily influenced by the [[Dravidian languages|Dravidian]] languages such as [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Telugu language|Telugu]]. However, Census of India places the language under [[Gujarati languages|Gujarati]].

== Genetics ==
{{See also|Genetics and archaeogenetics of South Asia|Y-DNA haplogroups in populations of South Asia}}

== Organisation ==
The prominent leaders among the community arose in the late 19th century and felt the need of organizing the community. At first, the Madurai Saurashtra Sabha was formed in the year 1895 and it was formally registered in the year 1900 with many objectives. The formation of this Sabha was the first step towards [[social mobilization]]. The Sabha's administration is carried out by elected Councillors and office bearers. It has its own rules and regulations regarding holding of elections, rights and duties of office bearers and celebration of social functions. The election to the Sabha is held once in three years. The [[social]] life of the Saurashtrians is controlled almost wholly by the Saurashtra Sabha. This organisation is a committee of the leading men of the community, which manages and controls all the schools and public institutions, the [[temple]] and its worship, and all political, [[Religion|religious]], and social questions among the Saurashtrians.

The Saurashtra Madhya (central) Sabha, which has its headquarters at [[Madurai]] now remains as the cultural center for all the Saurashtrians living in [[Tamil Nadu]]. Many well-to-do [[merchant]]s and [[philanthropists]] of the community have contributed substantially to the growth of these institutions. Today, the Saurashtrians are represented in white collar jobs and professions in large numbers.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":15">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/Standing-tall-in-all-fronts/article14852589.ece|title=Standing tall in all fronts|last=Kavitha|first=S.S|date=2007-10-08|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-03-24|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

In 2009, [[Narendra Modi]], the then [[Chief Minister of Gujarat]] and the current and 14th [[Prime Minister of India]], inaugurated the Research Institute of Saurashtra Heritage and Immigration (RISHI), a project in association with [[Saurashtra University]], [[Rajkot]].<ref name=":9" />

== Politics ==

In the second decade of 20th century, the Saurashtrians emerged as a dominant group in social and political life of [[Madras Presidency]]. The Saurashtrians emerged as the dominant social group because of their collective mobilization, intellectual leadership, education, wealth, trade and enterprise. There are several instances when the leaders of the community organised the [[Weaving|weavers]] and made social and economic protests. The well-to-do [[merchant]]s of the community made donations to [[Tamil Nadu Congress Committee|TNCC]] for [[Vedaranyam March|Salt Satyagraha]] and welcomed any form of [[Swadeshi movement|Swadeshi]] agitation which favoured [[Indian people|Indian]] cloth.<ref name=":22">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/politicssocialco0000irsc|url-access=registration|quote=L.K.Tulsiram.|title=Politics and Social Conflict in South India: The Non-Brahman Movement and Tamil Separatism, 1916–1929|last1=Irschick|first1=Eugene F.|last2=Studies|first2=University of California, Berkeley Center for South and Southeast Asia|date=1969|publisher=University of California Press|pages=[https://archive.org/details/politicssocialco0000irsc/page/9 9], 138|language=en}}</ref>

The leaders who came to lead the community were not always from the upper class. L. K. Thulasiram, who led the community in [[Madurai]], was not born into the [[Aristocratic family|aristocratic]] family. With his own efforts he travelled abroad which brought prosperity to himself and to the community in general. Thulasiram at first supported the non-[[Brahmin]] movement in [[Tamil Nadu]]. When he earned the displeasure of his community members who were fighting for [[Brahminical]] status, he changed his mind and supported the cause of his own people.<ref name=":22" /> He got elected as Municipal Chairman in 1921 amidst a fierce contest. During his tenure he brought many reforms within the community. He introduced free mid-day meal scheme in community owned school for the first time in the country which was later emulated by the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]] during the period of [[K. Kamaraj]] in the name of [[Noon meal scheme|noon-meal scheme]] in Government schools.<ref name=":15" /> When he lost his hold in [[Municipal council|Municipal Council]], he became a prominent organizer of [[non-cooperation movement]]. Later he impressed the [[Indian National Congress|Congress Party]] and became the leader of the [[merchant]]s. In this capacity he strove hard to raise the prestige and position of his community.<ref name=":14">{{Cite book|title=The Politics of South India, 1920–1937|last=Backer|first=C.J|publisher=Vikas Publishing House|year=1976|location=New Delhi|pages=143–217}}</ref>

[[N. M. R. Subbaraman|N.M.R. Subbaraman]], another leader of the community, financed and led the [[Salt March|Civil Disobedience Movement]] In [[Madurai]] from 1930–32. He worked for the advancement of the depressed classes. He, along with [[A. Vaidyanatha Iyer]], organised a temple entry conference and helped the people of the depressed classes to enter [[Meenakshi Amman Temple]]. He was involved in the [[Bhoodan movement]] and donated his 100 acres of land to the movement. He contributed to establishing the first [[Gandhi Memorial Museum, Madurai|Gandhi Memorial Museum]] in Madurai.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/throwing-light-on-the-life-of-madurai-gandhi/article3092865.ece|title=Throwing light on the life of 'Madurai Gandhi'|date=2006-08-20|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Later he expressed his dissatisfaction with [[Civil disobedience|Civil Disobedience]]. He felt unhappy about the expenditure incurred on the agitational activities. He mobilized his followers into Municipal politics with the help of Venkatamarama Iyer faction under the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] banner.<ref name=":14" />

S.R. Radha, former Minister and one of the founding members of the [[AIADMK]], who also led the community in [[Kumbakonam]], [[Thanjavur district|Thanjavur]]. He was attracted to [[Periyar E. V. Ramasamy]]'s rationalist ideas and was drawn to the [[Dravidian movement]] and later joined the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]] and subsequently, the [[AIADMK]]. He was one among those who signed the party document when AIADMK was launched in 1972 by [[M. G. Ramachandran|M.G. Ramachandran]] after his expulsion from the DMK. Mr. Radha was first elected to the state assembly constituency of [[Kumbakonam (state assembly constituency)|Kumbakonam]], later, in 1983 he became a member of the Legislative Council. When [[M. G. Ramachandran|M.G. Ramachandran]] was Chief Minister of [[Tamil Nadu]]. Subsequently, In March 1985, he was appointed as Deputy General Secretary of the AIADMK. After the death of the AIADMK founder, Mr. Radha supported [[J. Jayalalithaa]]’s leadership of the party. In recognition, she appointed him Leader of the Opposition. But the rise of Jayalalithaa’s aide [[V. K. Sasikala|V.K. Sasikala]] and members of her family in the AIADMK made Radha’s continuation in the party untenable and was later expelled from the AIADMK.<ref>{{Cite news|others=Special Correspondent|date=2020-12-09|title=Former Minister S.R. Radha dead|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/former-minister-sr-radha-dead/article33283872.ece|access-date=2021-01-13|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=MGR's close associate SR Eradha passes away at 87|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2020/dec/08/mgrs-close-associate-sr-eradha-passes-away-at-87-2233512.html|access-date=2021-01-13|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Kolappan|first=B.|date=2018-06-11|title=When a politician said no to money|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/when-a-politician-said-no-to-money/article24131395.ece|access-date=2021-01-13|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Portrayal in popular media ==

* In a 1967 Tamil mystery thriller movie ''[[Athey Kangal]],'' Bhaskar, (portrayed by [[Ravichandran (Tamil actor)|Ravichandran]]), the hero and his friend (portrayed by [[Nagesh]]) are found speaking ''Saurashtra'' in a famous song ''Pombala Oruthi Irundhalam.''<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Jun 23|last2=2020|last3=Ist|first3=04:09|title=Man who rocked Tamil pop, yodelling into hearts {{!}} Chennai News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/man-who-rocked-tamil-pop-yodelling-into-hearts/articleshow/76519575.cms|access-date=2021-01-21|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>
*In a 2014 Tamil movie ''[[Naan Than Bala]]'', Vaishali (portrayed by [[Shwetha Bandekar]]), one of the main characters, her father speaks ''Saurashtra'', thereby suggesting that she is from a Saurashtrian family.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/naan-than-bala-friends-with-benedictions/article6114928.ece|title=Naan Than Bala: Friends with benedictions|last=Rangan|first=Baradwaj|date=2014-06-14|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-09-29|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
*In another 2014 Tamil [[Comedy film|comedy]]-[[Gangster film|gangster]] movie ''[[Jigarthanda (2014 film)|Jigarthanda]]'', Kayalvizhi (portrayed by [[Lakshmi Menon (actress)|Lakshmi Menon]]), the heroine and her mother (portrayed by [[Ambika (actress)|Ambika]]) are found speaking in ''Saurashtra'', thereby suggesting that they are Saurashtrians.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/jigarthanda/movie-review/39436452.cms|title=Jigarthanda Movie Review|date=2016-05-29|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-10-04}}</ref>
* In a 2019 [[Tamil language|Tamil-language]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] ''[[Kanne Kalaimaane]]'', Bharathi (portrayed by [[Tamannaah|Tamanna Bhatia]]), the heroine speaks to her brother in ''Saurashtra'', thereby suggesting that she is a Saurashtrian.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/making-offbeat-cinema-is-like-cycling-against-the-wind-seenu-ramasamy/articleshow/67624750.cms|title=Making offbeat cinema is like cycling against the wind: Seenu Ramasamy – Times of India|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-06-01}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
===Religion===
* [[Venkataramana Bhagavathar]] (1781–1874), a direct disciple of Saint [[Tyagaraja|Thyagaraja]]

===Cinema===
* [[T. M. Soundararajan]] (1924–2013), Tamil Playback singer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/why-non-tamil-singers-dominated-kollywood-for-more-than-60-years/articleshow/72960992.cms|title=Why non-Tamil singers dominated Kollywood for more than 60 years {{!}} Chennai News – Times of India|last1=Dec 25|last2=2019|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-01-08|last3=Ist|first3=4:21}}</ref>
* [[P. V. Narasimha Bharathi]] (1924–1978), Tamil film Actor<ref name=":16">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/Linguistic-confluence/article16729668.ece|title=Linguistic confluence|last=Saravanan|first=T.|date=2016-11-30|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-04-15|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
* [[Kaka Radhakrishnan|Kaka RadhaKrishnan]] (1925–2012), Veteran actor
* [[S. C. Krishnan]] (1929–1983), Tamil Playback singer
* [[M. S. Sundari Bai]] (1923–2006), Tamil film Actress
* [[Sumathi (actress)|Sumathi]], Tamil film Actress
* [[Master Prabhakar|Prabhakar]], Tamil film Actor
* [[T. K. Ramachandran]], Tamil film Actor
* [[M. N. Rajam]], Tamil film Actress<ref name=":16" />
* [[A. L. Raghavan]], Tamil Playback singer<ref name=":16" />
* [[Vennira Aadai Nirmala]], Tamil film Actress<ref name=":16" />
* [[Seetha (actress)|Seetha]], Tamil film Actress<ref name=":16" />
* [[Jagadeesh Kanna]], Tamil film Actor

=== Literature ===
* [[Sankhu Ram]] (1907–1976), Saurashtrian poet (translated the [[Tirukkural]] into [[Saurashtra language|Saurashtra]])
* [[M. V. Venkatram]] (1920–2000), Tamil writer ([[Sahitya Akademi Award]] granted for his Kathukal Novel)

=== Politics ===
* [[N. M. R. Subbaraman]] (1905–1983), Tamil politician & Freedom fighter
* [[S. K. Balakrishnan]], Tamil politician & Former Mayor
* [[A. G. Subburaman]], Tamil politician & Former MP
* [[A. G. S. Ram Babu]], Tamil politician & Former MP<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Weaving-their-way-into-Madurai/articleshow/15115750.cms|title=Weaving their way into Madurai – Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-02-21}}</ref>

=== Academics ===
* [[T. S. Chandrasekar]], Awarded [[Padma Shri]] by the [[Government of India|Govt of India]]. Founder, [[Medindia|MedIndia]], Chennai
*[[K. Amarnath Ramakrishna]], Superintending Archaeologist involved in [[Keezhadi]] Excavations

== Educational Institutions ==
* [[Sourashtra College, Madurai]]
* [[K. L. N. College of Engineering|K.L.N College of Engineering, Madurai]]

== Temples ==

*[[Sri Kothanda Ramaswamy Temple]]

==See also==

* [[Pattegar]]
* [[Pathare Prabhu]]
* [[Daivadnya Brahmin]]
* [[Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu]]
* [[Goud Saraswat Brahmin|Gaud Saraswat Brahmin]]
* [[Thanjavur Marathi people]]
* [[Naramdev Brahmin]]
* [[Vadama|Vadama Iyers]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
*{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ujAhAAAAMAAJ&q=Saurashtra|title=History of Medieval Hindu India: (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.)|last=Chintaman|first=Vinayak Vaidya|publisher=Oriental Book Supplying Agency|year=1924}}
*{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bn0m5AJTqf4C&q=Saurashtra|title=Bulletin of the Institute of Traditional Cultures|publisher=University of Madras|year=1967|pages=71}}
*{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l9A8MwEACAAJ|title=A History of the Sourashtras in Southern India|last=K.V|first=Padmanabha Iyer|publisher=Sourashtra Literary Society (Madras, India)|year=1942}}
*{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rINuAAAAMAAJ&q=Saurashtra|title=Ethnic movement in transition: ideology and culture in a changing society|last=Ganapathy Palanithurai|first=R. Thandavan|publisher=Kanishka Publishers, Distributors|year=1998|isbn=9788173912474|pages=34}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.palkar.org/ Palkar Community]
*[http://www.sourashtramadhyasabha.com/ Sourashtra Madhya Sabha]
*[http://www.kuso.co.in/ Karnataka United Sourashtra Organisation]
*[http://www.sourashtratime.com/ Sourashtra Time]

[[Category:Saurashtra (region)]]
[[Category:Saurashtrian people]]
[[Category:Saurashtra Brahmins]]
[[Category:Tamil society]]
[[Category:Social groups of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Social groups of Kerala]]
[[Category:Culture of Madurai]]
[[Category:Hindu ethnic groups]]
[[Category:Indo-Aryan peoples]]
[[Category:Internal migrations in India]]

Bharatpedia - User contributions [en]

Saurashtra people