Chettinadu, Nagarathar Community People of Sivaganga District – As Shown by the Inscriptional Records

Abstract

It is the age of journey from fat to fit. Today the whole sea of humanity seems to be on a mission as far as far as food is concerned to turn from fat to fit People are avoiding or fearing fatty food. In this respect chettinadu Nagarather community people's dishes are in confirmity with the above healthy tips. Nowadays the chettinadu dishes are famous not only in India but also in foreign countries. Nagarathar community has a hoary past. This paper tries to trace the history of Nagarathar community of sivaganga District as shown in the inscriptions available in the district Nattukkottai Nagarathar or chettiars, a small trading community people have been playing a significant role in the field of religion and education of the state. These people are believed to have hailed from Chola Nadu to pandya country in 13th century which later became the chettinadu. Owing to their wealth and their money - lending business, they have been called 'the Jews of south India'. But the people are having helping tendency and men of charity they are allotting a percentage of their income to temples and other religious activities.²