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Manabharana Is Not Malay (Manabharana Bukan Melayu)

In recent times, an alarming narrative has emerged within the Malaysian blogosphere, suggesting a historical event that appears to be a misinterpretation or perhaps a deliberate misinformation campaign. The claim revolves around a so called Malay prince named Manabharana from Srivijaya, purportedly attacking and conquering the Chola kingdom. This misleading story has gained traction and is spreading like wildfire across various social media platforms. The need to address and rectify such inaccuracies is crucial not only for the sake of historical accuracy but also for fostering a responsible and informed online community. To delve into the matter, it is essential to clarify that historical records reveal the existence of multiple individuals named Manabharana throughout history. However, a nuanced understanding reveals that all these figures were Tamils (Damila) hailing from the Pandya kingdom, with references to their exploits documented in Tamil inscriptions and Sri Lankan chronicles

MIC & Caste Politics - How Truth is Twisted by Media

Each year, we will see at least one article that talks about MIC and "caste system". Those who write about "caste system" in Malaysia fail to elaborate what this system is all about. How does the system even work?   What existed in the past is the Varna system which is a Class system. The class system also exist in every country. Human society is divided into ruling class and commoners.  What exist among the present day Indian castes in Malaysia is kinship ties based on clans. It is not Varna system. Different clans occupied different territories in Tamil Nadu. They have different customs and traditions.  This year, I came across this particular article by The Rakyat Post. Please click below to read it. http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/12/09/will-caste-influence-casting-votes-mic-re-election/ "“Ever since Samy Vellu took helm of MIC, the party then was controlled by the supposedly ‘Thevar’ caste of which Samy Vellu comes from. Throughout

Pitchavaram Zamin Are Not Cholas, Rajaraja Chola Is Not Vanniyar

Zamindar of Pitchavaram During the British rule, the traditional Tamil kings were no longer in power. They no longer had a say in  governance. Unlike the previous dynasties which ruled Tamil Nadu, the British suppressed the native rulers and  prevented them from rising.  Those who were favored by the British seized the opportunity to make false claims about themselves. They changed their caste names and also claimed that they are descendants of ancient kings. One such claim is made by the landlords of Pitchavaram. They claim that they are the real descendants of  Cholas. They justify this by stating that they have the coronation right in the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple just  like the Chola kings.  The Pitchavaram zamin family claims that since the traditional priest of the temple, the Dikshitars, perform the coronation and also pass the temple key to them, then they must be the real Cholas under the title Cholanar or Cholanganar.  Having coronation in Chidambaram with titl

Confusion Over Vanni, Vannian and Vanniyar

DISCLAIMER: This article was written to explain about communal name and not to put down any community. There is a confusion among some researchers with the word Vanni. Today, there is a Tamil community which calls itself Vanniyar. In the past this community was known as Palle or Palli.  They are numerous in the northern parts of Tamil Nadu and in the intersect between Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra. The Palli of Andhra and Karnataka speak Telugu and Kannadam. They don't consider Tamil as their mother tongue. During the British rule, many communities in the Madras Presidency used the opportunity to rebrand itself. Even today, we can see some of them doing it.  Since 1833, the Palli community campaigned to change their name from Palli to Agnikula Kshatriya or Vannikula which later became Vanniyar. Even in the census of 1891, a big majority of 89% still identified themselves as Palli and not as Vannikula. Only in 1931 was the word Palli dropped and replaced with Agniku

Descendants of Ancient Pallavas

DISCLAIMER I will have to re-examine the origins of the Thondaimans (Pudukottai) and their connection with the Pallavas  due to several reasons. Although there are text such as Kalingathuparani that confirms that Karunakara Thondaiman was a Pallava prince, we will also have to look into etymological terms and if this relates to those in Pudukottai. There is also another branch of Thondaimans known as the Aranthangi Thondaiman. The root word of Thondaiman and Thondai Nadu/Mandalam comes from the creeper known as Kovai ( Coccinea Indica) . Kovai is known as Donde in Telugu. It was customary for royal families to have a particular leaf or flower as symbols.  Pallava comes from the Sanskrit root word Pallav which means any new leaf. It may or may not be in reference to kovai. It may also be a corruption of Pahlava. The later explains the Persian connection.  Nevertheless, I encourage my readers to continue reading and engage in discussions.  Thondai region in present day Tam

Tamil Kinship

Unlike the Westerners, Tamil people have a very elaborate kinship system. PICTURE CREDIT: http://www.familyholiday.net/family-tree-craft-template-ideas The Tamil people have a very elaborate and systematic kinship system. Families can be categorized into two main groups. Panggali (Parallel Cousins) and Muraipasangga (Cross Cousins). Panggalis are treated as siblings while Muraipasangga are those who we can marry. Therefore, the terminology used for the Panggali is the same as our siblings. Parallel Cousins = Father's brother's children or Mother's sister's children Cross Cousins = Father's sister's children or Mother's brother's children The Panggali or Muraipasangga group is not only for immediate families but also for the extended families. Certain clans have family names which determines who is who in the entire clan.  Therefore, members of such clans will avoid marriage with their Panggali families as they will carry the same surname. Thi

The Origin of Madurai Veeran

DISCLAIMER: You can debate the contents of this article as there is no real evidence on the origins of Madurai Veeran or we can also say that it is not fully proven. What I have written here is based on existing oral tradition and opinions. The origin of Veeran remains a mystery and time shall tell who he really was. If I find anything new about his origins that contradicts with what I have written here, I will write a sequel to this post and share it with everyone. Madurai Veeran with Bommi and Valliyammal Madurai Veeran is worshiped as a guardian deity by the Tamils. As what I know, there is no written record about him.  According to certain oral tradition, he was the prince of a king in Kaasi (Varanasi). When he was born, the astrologer predicted that the baby will bring bad luck to the king. So the king decided to dispose him and requested his guards to do it. The guards then threw him away. Some say he was left to die in the forest. Others say he was placed in a trun

Breaking Tamil Nadu

The state of Tamil Nadu is 130,058 square km. It has 29 districts and a population of 72 million people. That is  roughly the size of Peninsular Malaysia and more than triple the population here.  Although Tamil Nadu is not the biggest state in India, it is still a large state with a large population.  During the last decade, political organisations like Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and Kongunadu Munnetra Kalagam (KMK) have called for the state to be divided into smaller states.  The usual call is to either bifurcate or trifurcate the state by using the Kaveri river (and Amaravathi & Kollidam) as natural boundary(s). If we were to refer back to ancient political geography of Tamil Nadu, the state can be also divided into the following 5 smaller states.  This includes the Union Territory of Puducherry. Thondai Naadu Nadu Naadu Kongu Naadu Chola Naadu Pandya Naadu A rough sketch of possible new states in Tamil Nadu based on ancient political geography. DISCLAI

Christian Inculturation

I was exposed to Christians and their religion at a very young age. I was born in Hospital Assunta which was started by the Christian missionaries. I grew up having many Christian friends around me.  When I was 6, I was admitted in the same hospital I was born due to asthma. Since I was too young to walk outside the hospital in order to worship in the nearest temple, I decided to just worship in the hospital chapel. I saw no harm in doing that. I still feel the same way.  Russian Church in Sofia. One of the few churches which I visited. I did the same thing when I was in Bulgaria. Went into churches, light up candles, offered my prayers to the Holy Mother in silence. This will not make me less Hindu. I still chant the Kalabhairava Ashtakam and the Panchakshra during my daily prayers. But despite the religious tolerance I have, I do have a different opinion about missionary activities. I never liked their style of work and many things which they do. This is because I do beli

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The Indian confusion - Race, Caste, Clan & Surnames

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Dogs of Tamil Nadu

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How To Find Your Kula Deivam?

*DISCLAIMER-Article written from a believer's perspective.  One of the most common questions I get from my readers is  "How do I find my Kula Deivam?" Kula Deivam is the patron deity of your lineage. Some families have more than 1 deity.  The easiest way to know your Kula Deivam is of course by knowing the ancestral village of your patrilineal lineage (father's side).  Usually the Kula Deivam shrines will be in the ancestral village. If the family has migrated to several villages, then the shrine will usually be in the main village where the family originated from. Knowing your caste or clan background is also helpful in finding out more about your Kula Deivam. For females, they have an advantage. They also inherit the Kula Deivam from their matrilineal lineage (mother's side). So if you are a woman, your mother's Kula Deivam (from her mother) will continue to be present throughout your life. If you are married, your husband's Kula Deivam (from