 | ||
Reddiar also Reddiyar is the caste title of farming and mercantile social group of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Sri Lanka and abroad. Reddiars, Reddy, Reddappa are considered and believed to come from the same origins and they spread across the lands of Southern and Central India. Political scientist Christophe Jaffrelot notes that, Reddiyars are the landlord caste originated from Telugu Origin and said they are patrons/Financial supporters of local temples in Tamil Region and initially and The origin of the Reddys (Reddiars) has been linked to the Rashtrakutas and till date the Reddys in India are spread across the same area of Rasthrakuta dynasty, although opinions vary. The names have been believed to be derived according to their regions they spread. Reddy ayyagaru(iygaru-Head) in AndhraPradesh and Telangana, Reddiar (Reddy+iygaru)in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Reddie, Reddappa (Reddy + appa- signifying respect) in Karnataka and Rayalaseema.
Contents
The Panta Reddiars, The Kanjam Reddiars , The Muduguveraya Reddiars moved from Andhra region in the search of rich black soil regions for cultivation and settled near Pondicherry. (In People of India/Indian Communities, Oxford University Press).
The Migration of the Reddys/Reddiars to areas of chennai, Kanchipuram, Vellore and northern Tamil Nadu is assumed to occur during the Reddy dynasty expansion till Kanchipuram areas.
Origins
Anavota Reddy (1335-1364 CE) of Reddy dynasty extended the dominion of the kingdom to Rajahmundry on the north, Kanchi on the south and Srisailam on the west. In a battle at Vallioor, Reddiapuram army defeated Travancore army in the 14th century. In an information Board at the entrance of the Vallioor Murugan Temple it is stated that 14th century vallioor War - Reddiapuram army defeated Travancore Army at vallioor Battle. After this war Reddiyars settled at Samugarengapuram, Seelathikulam and all over Tirunelveli Region in the 14th century.
A mural at the Tiruppudaimaruthur temple in Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu, shows the emissaries of the Vijayanagara king Achyutadeva Raya serving an ultimatum to the Travancore ruler Bhoothala Veera Udaya Marthanda Varma to pay tributes to him and return the Pandya territory to Sri Vallabhan. It also depicts the "Tamiraparani battle" between the armies of Achyutadeva Raya and Bhoothala Varma. They are believed to have moved into Tamil Nadu with the expansion of Vijayanagar empire along with other Telugu and Kannada origin social groups. They have their origin in Vannipuranam.
They migrated from Andhra Pradesh and Orissa to Tamil Nadu particularly to Madurai District at the period of Thirumalai Nayakkar rule.
Amongst the Tamil diaspora
Through emigration, there are now many Reddiars in the Tamil communities of United States, South Africa, Singapore, Australia, United Kingdom. Reddiar or Reddy is sometimes used as a surname but they freely intermarry amongst various elements of the Tamil diaspora. The title does not generally mark the person as a Telugu but as an ethnic Tamil along with Naidu or Naidoo, Pillai, Gounder and Chetty as surnames used in the Tamil diaspora. See distinction between Reddy and Rddiars.
Current status
In India, Reddiars are classified as Forward caste. Reddiars in Tamilandu are classified as Backward caste..Some of the Reddiars are classified as Backward caste, in Kerala where they migrated to in early 1900. Some Reddiars in kerala are considered protected minorities, who need better educational access due to merchantile roots of Reddiars in Kerala and lack of significant land ownership. There is a separate section of Reddiars called Kondama Reddy who were considered Shudras in British surveys, who follow tribal customs.
Reddy versus Reddiars
Though The Origin is thought tobe same with little arguments, Reddys predominantly speak Telugu and follow Telugu cultural festivals like Ugadi and follow all other Andhra norms. Whereas Reddiars who came to the Tamil region speak both Tamil and a blend of Telugu (variant with Tamil influence) at home and identify and follow Tamil and Telugu cultural norms. They also celebrate Thai Pongal, Tamil New Year and Ugadi. They are active in supporting local Temple societies and local political aspirations. Some have become very prominent in Tamil nationalistic causes and are represented in Tamil literary circles as great patrons and scholars of Tamil language.