Nadar is one of the South Indian Tamil caste and the term also used to refer to the man belong to that caste.The caste also refered as 'chanas'. South India is a geographic and linguistic-cultural region of India. ... Tamil girls in Tiruvannamalai. ... Jump to: navigation, search A caste system is a rigid system of social stratification, which divides members of a society into different castes and sub-castes or Varnas and jatis. ...

History

The Nadars are a hardworking community and became successful after some struggles early on because of the caste system. One of their occupations was toddy (a kind of liquor) gathering from Palm trees. The 19th century saw the Nadars embracing Christianity in large numbers some out of will and some due to the easier acceptance into Christian schools. Today the distribution of Nadars between the two major religions, Hindu and Christian, are 60% and 40% respectively. Nadars traditionally have been extremely clannish people. Although outwardly they are united as Nadars, there is a clear cut distinction between the Nadars of various regions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. For example the customs and practices of Nadars hailing from Tirunelveli will be completely different from that of Nadars hailing from Madurai or Nagercoil. It is only in the present generation that Nadars like the current generation of most castes in India, are really opening up. A toddy is a hot drink made from a spirit, hot water, sugar (or honey and lemon). ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament writings of his early followers. ... Jump to: navigation, search It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Hindu people. ...

The premium placed on education by the Nadar community resulted in a drastic improvement in the socio-economic landscape of the community, a distinction reserved to upper classes of India. The Nadars are known for their work mostly on small scale business. Most cities in Tamil Nadu will have a grocery store run by a person from this community. They are even referred to as 'Annachi Kadai' or 'Nadar Kadai.' The Nadars also have branched into electronics, applicances and silverware retail mega-stores.

Genetic study

Recent genetic studies on the antigenic variations among south Indian populations suggest nadars to have several genotypic characters shared with East Asian populations consistent with the demographic history of South India and also several unique genetic markers. The study suggested a distinct evolutionary lineage with lesser admixture in the gene pool among groups of Tamilnadu. The gene pool of nadars show more similarity to the East Asian populations (Tissue Antigens. 2003 Dec; 62(6): 542-7), a trend not observed in the Brahmin communities of south Tamilnadu, who are more closely related to the branch of the Indo-European and Central Asian tree (Human Biology 1996, 68(4), 523-37). East Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms. ... A Brahmin is a member of the Hindu priestly caste. ...

Further reading

• M. Immanuel (2002) The Dravidian Lineages: The Nadars Through the Ages. A Socio-Historical Study. From Indus Valley Civilization to Present time. Published by: Historical Research & Publications Trust, 137/H-4 Bethel Nagar, Nagercoil-629004, Tamil Nadu, India.

• D. Templeman. (1996) The Northern Nadars of Tamil Nadu: An Indian Caste in The Process of Change (February, 1996): New Delhi: Oxford University Press

• Robert L. Hardgrave, Jr.(1969) The Nadars of Tamilnad; the political culture of a community in change. From year 1800 British records to 1968. [1]

Famous people

• Kamaraj - Freedom fighter, Politician
• Shiv Nadar - Billionaire, CEO, HCL Group(Infotech)

Jump to: navigation, search Kamaraj (July 15, 1903–1975) was an Indian politician widely known as a kingmaker in Indian politics. ... Shiv Nadar, is the CEO of Hindustan Computers Limited HCL,a large information technology company in India. ...

External link

• concise history of the Nadar community
• - Nadar community Online Webportal
• - Website for Nadar community next generation