Ambattar (also known by many other names) is a Tamil caste found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and northeastern part of Sri Lanka. Their traditional occupations are barbers, midwives and surgeons.[1][2] Leslie in his comparative study of Asian medical systems explains that although Vaidiyar title is adopted by members of Ambattars in Tamil Nadu, only some of them practice medicines and are more highly esteemed than the others who are barbers.[3]
| Ambattar | |
|---|---|
| Religions | Hinduism |
| Languages | Tamil |
| Related groups | Tamils |
Etymology and synonyms
editThe name Ambattar is a Tamilised word likely originating from Sanskrit word Ambashtha. The word is derived from the two Sanskrit words amba meaning "near" and stha meaning "to stand" thus meaning "one who stands nearby" in reference to their occupation as barbers and surgeons.[4][5]
They have also been referred to as Maruttuvar, Pariyari and Vaidiyar, which are all synonyms for physicians.[2][6] Other names are also synonymous with Ambattar, including Navidhar, Nasuvan, Chakkara Kathi and Kudimagan. According to one member of the caste, the name used varies from one village to another.[7]
History
editSocial status and customs
editThe Ambattars often carried out the profession of physician-surgeons but later took up other professions such as that of barbers. The social life of Tamil Ambattars is regulated by Brahmanical code, who act as priest in their marriage ceremonies. Like the orthodox North-Indian upper castes, traditionally widow remarriage was not there and the dead are cremated. They perform as priests in marriage ceremonies of the Vellas of Salem district. They may be Shaiva or Vaishnava. The Vaishnava abstain from meat, fish and liquor. Their population is quite large in Salem district. Similar group is also found in South Travencore who work as physician-surgeons, midwives, barbers and priests. They have respectable social status. Ambattars held high positions during Chalukya and Pandya kingdoms.[8]
Early Tamil history
editThe Siddhars, the ancient Tamil physicians who claimed to have attained siddhi, hailed mostly from the Ambattar community.[9]
Sri Lanka
editAccording to the folklore of the Ambattar of Sri Lanka, they arrived in the Jaffna Kingdom as attendants of warriors. Since they came without their wives, they married Sri Lankan Vellalar women.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Gough, Kathleen (1989). Rural change in southeast India: 1950s to 1980s. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-562276-8.
- ^ a b Béteille, André; Beteille, Professor Emeritus of Socio Logy Andre (1965). Caste, Class, and Power: Changing Patterns of Stratification in a Tanjore Village. University of California Press. pp. 89. ISBN 9780520020535.
- ^ Leslie, Charles M. (1998). Asian Medical Systems: A Comparative Study. Motilal Banarasidass Publishers. ISBN 81-208-1537-8.
- ^ Menon, T. Madhava; Linguistics, International School of Dravidian (2002). A handbook of Kerala. International School of Dravidian Linguistics. p. 764. ISBN 9788185692319.
- ^ Sircar, Dineschandra (1967). Studies in the Society and Administration of Ancient and Medieval India. Firma K. L. Mukhopadhyay. p. 109.
- ^ General, India Office of the Registrar (1966). Census of India, 1961: Madras. Manager of Publications. p. 7.
- ^ Murugan, Perumal; Lakshmi, C. S., eds. (2017). Black Coffee in a Coconut Shell: Caste as Lived Experience. SAGE Publishing India. p. 75. ISBN 978-9-35280-499-3.
- ^ Sinha, BP (2003). Kayastha in making of modern Bihar. Patna: Impression Publisher. pp. 14–15.
- ^ State), Madras (India; Baliga, B. S.; Bahadur.), B. S. Baliga (Rao (1999). Madras District Gazetteers: Tiruchirappalli (pt. 1-2). Superintendent, Government Press. p. 1447.
- ^ David, Kenneth (3 June 2011). The New Wind: Changing Identities in South Asia. Walter de Gruyter. p. 189. ISBN 9783110807752.