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For other people named Iyengar, see Iyengar (disambiguation).

Iyengar

Srinivasa Ramanujan · Chakravarti Rajagopalachari · B. K. S. Iyengar Hema Malini · Kamal Haasan · Vyjayanthimala ·
Regions with significant populations
India Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Delhi, Maharashtra
Languages
Brahmin Tamil, Telugu, Kannada
Religion
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Madhva, Iyer, Vadama

Iyengar or Ayyangar (Tamil: அய்யங்கார்/ஐயங்கார், Kannada: ಅಯ್ಯಂಗಾರ್, Telugu: అయ్యంగార్ [əjːəŋɡɑːr]) is a caste given to Hindu Brahmins of Tamil origin who follow the Visishtadvaita philosophy propounded by Sri Ramanujacharya. They are found mostly in Tamil Nadu as they are generally native to the Tamil Nadu state of the Republic of India. But they are also found in large numbers in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Iyengar are divided into two different sub-sects. Like all Brahmin communities, they are also classified based on their gotra, or patrilineal descent.

The native tongue of the Iyengar Brahmins is Tamil. But nowadays there are Iyengars who speak other languages, mainly Telugu, Kannada. Vaishnavites have been living in the Tamil Nadu state of the Republic of India even prior to the time of Ramanuja. However, Iyengars as a community trace their origin from the times of Ramanuja.

In many cases, both Iyers and Iyengars are mistakenly referred to as "Ayyar" as they are indistinguishable from Iyers in their adherence of the Brahmanaical tradition. However, Devout Iyengars sport a namam ((thiruman+srichoornam)) as a caste-mark as opposed to Iyers who apply vibhuti, generally on their forehead.

Etymology

The word "Iyengar" is a relatively new name and was not used in any medieval works or scriptures. The word "Sri Vaishnava" would therefore be the right word to describe them, though all of them could be called as Sri Vaishnava Brahmins. The word Iyengar is derived from Ayya a Prakrit version of the Sanskrit word Arya along with the Telugu honorific plural suffix garu. Some others believe that the word "Iyengar" means one who is characterized by five attributes(Aindu angangal).

Lester, Robert C. claims that the word “Ayyangaar” was first used by Kandhaadai Ramanuja Ayyangaar of Tirupathi around 1450 AD.

Ethnicity, genetics and origin

Iyengars are divided into two different sects, namely Vadakalai and Thenkalai.

Vadakalai Iyengar

Caste symbol of Vadakalai Iyengars

The Vadakalai Iyengars (Uttara Kalārya, Sanskrit: उत्तर कलार्य) are believed to be an Indo-Aryan people who once migrated from North India. In a genetic study in Andhra Pradesh all individuals examined among Vadakalai Iyengars showed a high similarity of rhesus(d) gene frequency with the people of Faislabad in the Punjab province. All the individuals examined among Vadakalai Iyengars showed Rhesus(D) positive with a high frequency of the D allele while the other castes from Andhra showed a low frequency of the D allele. There is also a widespread belief that the Vadakalai Iyengars are of Kashmiri origin. Among Vadakalais, some adhere to the Pancharatra tradition and others follow the Munitraya tradition. Both these traditions(Pancharatra and Munitraya) had originated in Kashmir. It is obvious during festivals like “Krishna Jayanti”, where some vadakalais celebrate it as Pancharatra jayanti, and others celebrate the festival as Munitraya jayanti. Vadakalai Iyengars are ardent followers of the Sanskrit Vedas and believe in the caste system (Varnashrama Dharma). The Kambaramayanam Payiram describes the Vadakalai as Prakrit and the Thenkalai as Tamil while mentioning about Kossars, possibly indicating that the Vadakalai once spoke Prakrit (an extinct Indo-Aryan language derived from old Indic dialects) before adopting Tamil. Shri Vedanta Desika, the Vaishnavite Acharya and philosopher, founded the Vadakalai sampradaya based on the Sanskritic tradition.

Thenkalai Iyengar

Thenkalai Caste Mark

The Thenkalai Iyengar sect (Tamil: தென்னாசாரிய சம்பிரதாயம்) which was led by Manavala Mamuni, follow the Tamil prabhandams and reject the caste system. It is believed that the Thenkalais have evolved by admixing with non-Brahmins. Geoffrey A. Oddie in his work Hindus & Christians in South-east India writes that the Satanis were a Thengalai non-Brahmin who, according to M.Monier Williams were 'opposed to brahminical usages'. G.S.Ghurye in his book Caste and Race in India writes that the Thenkalai Guru Pillailokacharya must have been a Vellala (non-Brahmin). The Kambaramayanam Payiram as mentioned before describes the Thenkalai as Tamil and the Vadakalai as Prakrit, indicating that the Thenkalai Iyengars are indigenous to the Tamil Language.

Historic Evolution

The Iyengar community started taking shape about 1000 years ago, and traces its philosophical origins to Nathamuni, a Sri Vaishnava Acharya, who lived around 900 CE. Nathamuni, who was exposed to the divine outpourings of Nammazhwar and other Azhwars (Sri Vaishnava Saints from Southern India) introduced the philosophy of Azhwars into temple worship. Nathamuni's efforts were formalized into a religious system of lifestyle, practice and worship by Ramanuja who propounded the philosophy of Visishtadvaita. Ramanuja claimed that the mystic insights of the Azhwars were the same truths enshrined in the Vedas, and created a group of people whose identity as servants of Narayana focussed on the fact that all sentient beings were 'equal' being children of the same Supreme Being, and that outward bodily differences in terms of varna and caste were unimportant in terms of one's relationship to the Supreme. Ramanuja had Srivaishnava (Iyengar) disciples spanning the social spectrum, including non-Brahmin saints such as Pillai Uranga Villi Dasar and Tripura-devi, a lady disciple known for her unwavering devotion to Ramanuja. Edgar Thurston, in his work Castes and Tribes of Southern India explains that Vaishnavite Brahmins were all converted Smarthas. To support his view, he explains how some families of Iyengars observe death pollution in some Smartha Brahmin families.

According to tradition, a large number of Vadamas have adopted Vaishnavism since the origin of the community in the 11th century AD

Demographics

Iyengars, along with Iyers, are present in large numbers in the Chola Nadu region of Tamil Nadu, regarded as the traditional home of Tamil Brahmins. Besides Chola nadu, Iyengars are also present in large numbers in Chennai, Srirangam and Kanchipuram.

Iyengars are native to the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Their numbers are evenly distributed all over Tamil Nadu with a majority of them, however, residing along the Cauvery Delta.

Fairly significant numbers are present in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. A large number of Iyengars migrated to Karnataka in the 11th century AD. Their descendants form a small part of Hebbars and Mandyam Iyengar communities.

Language and Dialect

The mother tongue of most Iyengars is Tamil. However, they speak a unique Iyengar dialect often called Vaishnava Paribhaashai. This dialect is almost identical with the Iyer dialect known as Brahmin Tamil, the difference only being in the level of Sanskritization. Scholars have often refused to recognize it as a separate dialect regarding it only as a sub-dialect of Brahmin Tamil. However, Iyengars in Karnataka speak a dialect that has a significant Kannada substrate, which has descended from medieval Tamil. It is also not uncommon or strange, to find many Karnataka Iyengars (Hebbar Srivaishnavas) speaking in Kannada. In fact, it was their original mother toungue quite a few centuries back. Iyengars in southern Andhra Pradesh speak both Tamil and Telugu.

For a detailed mapping of words and spoken forms of the Iyengar dialects and standard Tamil, see Iyengar Tamil.

Subsects

By philosophy

See also: Vadakalai and Thenkalai

Iyengars are classified into Vadakalai, or "Iyengars of the Northern Descension", and Thenkalai, or "Iyengars of the Southern Descension", with subtly different philosophical and ritual interpretations of Ubhaya Vedanta. Scholarly opinion is mixed as to the origin of the two names. Some believe that the terms Northern and Southern refer to differing regional developments, the Northern or Vadakalai predominating in the north of the Tamil Nadu state of the Republic of India and the Southern or Thenkalai predominating in the south. Others argue that they reflect the importance or primacy given to Sankrit Vedanta by the Vadakalais and of the Tamil scripture, Divya Prabandham, by the Thenkalais.

Some others argue further that the difference is also racial, with the opinion that the Vadakalai sect descend from Indo-Aryan missionaries whereas the Thenkalai sect descend from various groups, some ancient Brahmin groups that are not as 'Aryan' as the Vadakalais, suggesting Dravidian admixture, and that some also descended from converts to Sri Vaishnavism from non-Brahmin ethnic groups. However, the fact of the matter is that if analysed in purely racial terms there are many many dark skinned vadakalai iyengars and many many fair skinned Tenkalai iyengars. It is also a matter of fact that many non-Brahmin sects are fair skinned in south India. This can be mainly due to the competition amongst various sects to show their closeness to their not so long ago British rulers.

The Vadakalais, who trace their philosophical origins to Vedanta Desika, asseverate primacy to Sanskrit and Vedas, and believe that human effort is a contributory factor to liberation, as is Divine grace. The Thenkalais, who rever Pillai Lokacharya as well as Manavala Mamunigal, assert equal importance to Tamil and the prabhandams, and maintain that liberation comes primarily through grace. Despite these differences, however, both traditions uniformly revere the same teachers from the Alvars down to Ramanuja and largely agree in their core philosophies. Vadakalai Iyengars follow Thooppul Vedanta Desika. While Thenkalai Iyengars follow Ramanuja and Manavala Mamuni.

Edgar Thurston summarizes the points of dissension between Vadagalai and Thengalai Iyengars thus:

1. Whether Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, is (Vibhu) co-omnipresent and co-illimitable with Vishnu;
2. Whether Lakshmi is only the mediatrix for, or the co-bestower of moksham or final beatitude;
3. Whether there is any graduated moksham attainable by the good and blessed, according to their multifarious merits;
4. Whether prapatti, or unconditional surrender of the soul to God, should be performed once for all, or after every act of spiritual rebellion;
5. Whether it (prapatti) is open to all, or is prescribed only for those specially prepared and apprenticed;
6. Whether the indivisibly atomic human soul is entered into, and permeated or not by the omnipresent creator;
7. Whether God's mercy is exerted with or without cause;
8. Whether the same (the divine mercy) means the overlooking (dhosha darsanam) or enjoyment (dhosha bogyatvam) of the soul's delinquencies;
9. Whether works (karma) and knowledge (Jnana) are in themselves salvation giving, or only lead to faith (bhakthi) by which final emancipation is attained;
10. Whether the good of other (unregenerate) castes should be tolerated according to their graduated social statuses, or should be venerated without reference to caste inequalities;

The principal difference between both sects lie in their belief relating to the theory of surrender to God. Thenkalai Iyengars believe that it is enough if you offer obesaiance/prostration to God once, while Vadakalai Iyengars believe that it is necessary to offer obesaince/prostration to God multiple times. This is the reason as to why a Vadakalai Iyengar is often seen prostrating four times, while Thenkalai Iyengars are seen prostrating only once. This aspect of difference in prostration reflects the subtle variation of faith. This is called marjala kishoram and markada kishorma in Sanskrit, referring to litter of cat and monkey. The Vadagalai sect rely on the fact that young one of a monkey always hugs its mother, otherwise the mother would not carry it. This explains the fact that one must always cling on to God to seek his blessings. On the contrary, the Thengalai sect rely on the fact that young one of a cat never hugs its mother, as the mother always would carry it. According to them, this explains the fact that it is enough if one cling on to God once to seek his blessings as the duty to protect you becomes his burden. The unique tradition of reciting Tamil Naalayira Divya Prabandams of Alwars, many of whom were non-Brahmins, and whose idols are installed in all srivaishnava temples has been singularly due to the impact of Tenkalai sampradayam and its fundamental belief that moksha is not caste related. The importance and significance of the teachings of alwars in all the srivaishnava temples like Srirangam, Tirumala-Tirupati etc., is the result of deep impact of tenkalai principles or sampradayam which is more inclusive in nature. The broad inclusive nature of the tenkalai sampradayam in contrast to the differentiating vadakalai principles, thus ensured that most sects following srivaishnava tradition, including non-brahminical castes, follow tenkalai sampradayam. Satanis are one such caste. Brahmin Tenkalai iyengars are a small but significant part of the universal tenkalai srivaishnava movement. Tenkalai sampradayam is not limited to south India alone. In north India, the vaishnava faith was made popular by swami Ramananda an influential social reformer of Northern India. Ramananda played an important role in reviving a religious sect that provided a spiritual pathway to people of all castes. He took a very radical approach to teaching and preaching through the inclusion of the poor and the people of low castes.Ramanujacharya and Ramananda both believed that the human soul is distinct from the Supreme Spirit and retains its identity and separate consciousness.Monasteries of the Ramanandi sect are in many states such as West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh (Shri Hathiramji Mutt at Tirumala and Tirupati), the Nepal Valley and the Nepalese Tarai. It is estimated that the Ramanandi sect is one of the largest Hindu ascetic sect. It is thus obvious that Ramananda also wanted to include all communities low or high very similar to the principles of tenkalai sampradayam and principles. Thus the tenkalai sampradayam can be stated as the true inheritor of Ramanujacharya, who wanted to propagate a universal srivaishnava faith where people of all classes and sects were assured of moksha, irrespective of birth.

An almanac dated 1765 divides Iyengars into Tadwadis and Ramanuja Vaishnavas. While the author mentions Kumbakonam as the headquarters of the Tadwadi sect he mentions Kanchipuram as the headquarters of the Ramanuja Vaishnavas.

Even amongst the Vadakalai and Thenkalai sects, there are further sub-traditions based on minor differences in system of prayer. For example among Vadakalai Iyengars, a group adheres to the Muth (Pancharatra) tradition while another group adheres to the Munitraya tradition, where both these traditions had originated in Kashmir. However the munitraya vadakalai sect does not refer to the above tradition of Kashmiri pandits.

By origin

Iyengars, both Vadakalai and Thenkalai, are sub-divided into Hebbar, Mandyam, Iyengar proper (those who live in Tamil Nadu) and Chozhiyar. The Iyengar proper, who form the majority are referred to as Keezhnaatu (from southern lands) in Karnataka.

Hebbar

See also: Hebbar Iyengar

The Hebbars speak a unique dialect of Tamil called Hebbar Tamil. In earlier years confined to the towns of Belur, Shanti Grama, Nuggehalli, Nonavinakere, Bindiganavile in the Tumkur district, and Hiremagalur (all in Karnataka), Hebbar Iyengars are now found in many parts of India, across Europe, and North America. It is believed that a small section of Hebbars are the descendants of Srivaishnavas who migrated to Karnataka from Tamil Nadu, in the train of the Vaishnavite acharya Ramanuja.

Mandyam

See also: Mandyam

File:Mandyam iyengar.jpg

A Mandyam Iyengar priest collecting water from a holy water tank

Mandyam Iyengars are those who migrated to Mandya district in Karnataka from Tirupathi in Andhra Pradesh. They are fewer in number than Hebbars and speak a unique dialect of Tamil known as Mandyam Tamil. Mandyam Iyengars, without exception, belong to the Thenkalai subsect.

It is interesting to note that Iyengars of Melkote, Khoday Iyengars, are famously known for their proficency in Sanskrit literature. The head of the Khoday Iyengars clan was Sri Shelvapellai Iyengar and now under the charge of Khoday Narayana Iyegnar; 'Khoday' is a Kannada word, literal meaning: "Umbrella". This epithet got tagged as their ancestors had the honour of holding an umbrella over Lord Yoga Narashimha, idol on the occasion of Melakote Vairamudi, in the pressence of the then Maharaja of Mysore. Most of the Mandyam sect, do not celebrate Deepawali due to the lore that Tippu Sultan massacred hundreds of relatives of the Tirumaliyengar, in retaliation for his having entered into an agreement with the British in 1790, on behalf of the dowager queen Rani Lakshammanni of Mysore.

Chozhiar Iyengars

The word Chozhiar means “of the Chola”. Chozhiar is the name given to a sect of Brahmins native to the Chola region. While most Chozhiars profess Saivism, some profess Vaishnavism and are known as Chozhiar Iyengars. . They usually bear titles as ‘Dikshitar’’’ or ‘Nambi’’’. The Chozhiar Iyengars are a closely knit community with a high degree of cooperation and cohesion. They are also found in and around Trichi in several agraharams like Srirangam, Puthur, Amoor etc.

Others

Other sub sects include Keezh Naattu Iyengars,Mysore Iyengars,Kalkunte Iyengars and Hemmige in Karnataka

Keezh Naadu refers to the more recent connection to southern lands. Keezh Naatu literally means southern land. This class comprises Brahmin migrants from Tamil Nadu who live in the South Western states such as Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The principle native cities or cities of importance to this sect of Iyengars are Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh as well as Mysooru(Mysore), Mandya, Kollegaala and Hassan districts of Karnataka.

Tamil Iyengars

File:Vadakalaipriests.jpg

Vadakalai Iyengar Priests at a religious function

This class describes the Iyengars that inhabit Tamil Nadu, whose descendants have a widespread diaspora throughout the South of India in states such as Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, as mentioned before. The principal native cities where they live in recent times are Sri Rangam, Kanchipuram/North Arcot(Tonda nadu) district, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Madurai, Srivilliputtur,Ramanadapuram(near Tiruppalani), and Tirunelveli (near Nava Tirupathi divya desams) in Tamil Nadu.

In Karnataka they are mostly spread across the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore's kingdom -Hassan, Mysore, Nuggehalli, Coorg.

In Andhra Pradesh, they are present in the areas around Tirupathi and Ahobilam (near Nandyal).

Philosophy

See also: Vishishtadvaita and Sri Vaishnavism

Many Iyengars accept Narayana / Vishnu as the Supreme Being (Paramatma), and subscribe to a monotheistic philosophy of a Supreme Being who is the primal, substantive and supportive cause of the manifest and unmanifest universe. But it will appear strange for a Southerner to know that Vishishtadvaitam as practised in South India is an unheard term among the Vaishnav Sects in the North India. They also recognize all other gods such as Brahma, Indra, Shiva and Agni in the Hindu pantheon as subservient to Narayana and amongst the jeevatmas (sentient souls, chit) whose existence is dependent upon the will of the Supreme Being.

The Lord of Kanchi is believed to have manifested Himself to Saint Tirukachi Nambi and revealed the following six principles, which form the six precepts of Visishtadvaita.:

1. Sriman Narayana is the supreme self; unparalleled and unsurpassed - ahameva param tattvam — अहमेव परम् तत्त्वम्.
2. The lord has all the insentient and sentient as his body, and He is the soul of everything - darshanam bhedam eva ca — दर्शनम् भेदम् एव च.
3. The way to get salvation is surrendering to the feet of the Lord - upAyeShu prapattiH syAt — उपायेषु प्रपत्ति: स्यात्.
4. There is no need to adopt contemplation on the Lord during our final breath - antima-smRti varjanam — अंतिम-स्मृति वर्जनम्.
5. After the soul departs from the material body, it gets salvation if he/she adopted the means of surrender (sharaNAgati शरणागति) -dehAvasAne muktiH syAt — देहावसाने मुक्ति: स्यात्.
6. One should approach a fully qualified Vaishnava acharya and get enlightened - (Poorna)achaaryam Samaasraya — (पूर्ण)आचार्यम् समास्रय.

Sri Vaishnavismm draws authority from the PrasthAna trayam — प्रस्थान त्रयम्, namely, Upanishads, Brahma Sutra, and Bhagavad Gita.

In addition to the PrasthAna trayam, Sri Vaishnavas consider the Tamil hymns of twelve saints called Alvars as equal in authority to that of the Vedas. These hymns are called the Divya Prabandha. The teachings found in Divya Prabhandham are completely consistent with the teachings of the Prasthana Thraiyam. Therefore, Sri Vaishnavas consider the Dhivya Prabhandhams to be equal in status to the Vedas. For this reason, Sri Vaishnavas are called Ubhaya Vedantis — उभय वेदांती.

The Vaishnavite tradition began in the Puranic period. Most Iyengars follow an unbroken lineage of Acharyas. After the period of the Tamil Saints called Azhvars, the Divya Prabandha was lost. During the 9th century C.E., Sri Nathamuni retrieved them by the grace of Nammalvar and re-established Sri Vaishnavism. For this reason Sriman Nathamuni is considered the first Acharya of the modern era. In the line of Acharyas that followed, Ramanuja is considered the greatest. Among his many achievements the commentary he wrote for Brahma Sutra, called Sri Bhashyam — श्री भाष्य|श्री भाष्यम् is considered by many to be the best.

Among the Acharyas after Sri Ramanuja, Sri Vedantha Desika and Sri Manavalamamuni are considered preeminent After the time of these two great saints several Sri Vaishnava religious orders of Swami Sri Desikan followed. Sri Ahobila Matam is the second oldest in this line.

Religious observances

Rituals

Rituals that mark important events in life, such as Seemantham, Jatakarma, Namakaranam, Vidyabhyasam, Upanayanam, Kalyanam, Shasthiabdhapoorthi and Tarpanam are practised by Iyengars. The rituals are generally similar to practices of Brahmins around India but bear great similarity to the practices of Iyers. The rituals which form a part of the person's life are Jatakarma, Upanayanam and Tarpanam.

Samasrayanam

Amongst all Srivaishnavas, there is a unique initiation ceremony into the Vaishnavite Brahmin brotherhood along with the Upanayanam. The Vasihnavite youngster is initiated into Iyengar fraternity by branding him with the Chakram(wheel) and the sanghu(conch), which are holy symbols associated with Lord Vishnu. The ceremony of initiation called Samashrayanam is usually carried out by the head of a Vaishnavite mutt. The knot in the sacred thread worn by Vaishnavites is known as Vishnu Grandhi as opposed to those worn by Smarthas which is known as Rudra Grandhi.

Weddings

See also: Iyer Weddings

A typical Iyengar wedding are made up of the following events: Vethalaipakku, Pandalkal, Janwaasam, Nischayathartham, Nandi or Vratham, Kashiyathrai, Oonjal, Piddishuttal, Kanyadaanam, Mangalaya Dharanam, Akshathai, Homam, Saptapadi, Nagoli, Vasthra, Gruhapravesham, Sambandhi Virandhu,Reception and Nalangu.

Important Festivals

Iyengars, as Srivaishnavas, observe festivals such as Pongal(referred to as Makara Sankranti by Vadakalais), Rama Navami, Krishna Janmashtami, Dussehra or Navaratri, Deepavali and Vaikunta Ekadashi. It is common among orthodox Iyengars to observe fasts during certain months of the Tamizh calendar, as also yearly pujas during the month of Margazhi.

Lifestyle and culture

See Also: Traditional Iyer Ethics, Traditional Attire

The first and foremost point of references for Iyengars with regard to their legal system is the Manusmriti. The Manusmriti prescribes a set of ethical vales to be practised. Iyengars of the Vadagalai sect, in particular, rigorously follow the set of values prescribed by the Manusmriti. Among adult males, it is common to observe nithyakarma - the daily ablutions, obesiances to the Sun, Sandhyavandanam and pranayama (a form of Yoga). Adult females observe days of rest during their menstrual cycle and do not cook or observe rituals during these days. Adult females do not perform the same rituals as adult males although they generally take part in the same rituals and nithyakarmas. The nithyakarmas form the basic structure of the Brahmanical lifestyle for Iyengars.

Tamil Brahmins at a convention of the Mylai Tamizh Sangam

The traditional dress of Iyengars is the same as that of other South Indian Brahmins. During religious ceremonies, Iyengar men clothe themselves in a panchagacham(a cotton or silk clothing with five folds) and an angavastram. Just like Iyers, Iyengar women wear a nine-yard long saree known as the madisar but the style of wearing the saree is different from that of the Iyers.

Iyengars sport the Sricharanam as opposed to Iyers who apply vibhuti. The significance of the Sricharanam is that it represents the Goddess Lakshmi, the divine consort of Lord Vishnu and is considered an important representative of one's faith in the Divine. It is typical for devout Iyengars to wear the Sricharanam (along with, in many cases, the Thirumann) at all times, except when they perform the morning duties and subsequently the ablutions prescribed as part of the Nitya karma or daily activities. Iyengar women usually wear a tilakam and a sindooram at traditional ceremonies. A married Iyengar woman, called a Sumangali', is expected to wear a mangalyam - referred to in Tamizh thali which indicates her marital status.

Politics

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (right) has been the most prominent Iyengar in Indian politics

Post-independence, Iyengars, along with Iyers, have been marginalized by the anti-Brahmin Movement in Tamil Nadu. Prior to independence, Iyengars along with Iyers, held a monopoly over education and had a firm control over the administrative machinery in Madras province. The Iyengar community can take just pride in having produced the first Congress Chief Minister of Madras province, the first Indian Governor-General of India and a leading luminary of the freedom movement, Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari. However, ironically, it was partially to Rajaji's policies, that Tamil Brahmins, owe their downfall. A couple of legislations brought into effect by the Rajaji Government that ruled from 1937 to 1940 and 1950 to 1952 decreed that the children in a family should learn and master the trade of their parents and that Hindi should be made compulsory for government jobs. These legislations, more than anything else, were responsible for vitiating the communal atmosphere in the province resulting in the rapid growth of the Dravidian Movement. Rajaji was elected for a second term in 1952 but with Rajaji's resignation as Chief Minister two years later and his replacement by Kamaraj, the downfall began. Iyers and Iyengars were gradually effaced out of the political scene by the rise of Dravidianism and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam which captured power in 1967. Today, Iyengars, along with Iyers, have almost disappeared from the political arena with the exception of a few individuals. Brahmin individuals still continue to wield considerable authority as the example of Jayalalithaa Jayaram, AIADMK which is a Dravidian party, the present Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu ,would indicate.

Iyengars and Iyers

The Iyengar community has evolved mostly through the conversion of Smartha Brahmins Edgar Thurston says that a large number of Thummagunta Dravida Brahmins belonging to the Iyer subsect have been converting to Srivaishnavism even during his lifetime. He also states that the Vaishnavite Thummagunta Dravida marry only Thummagunta Dravida women and hence the numbers of Vaishnavite converts had been swelled through marriage alliances with the Thummagunta Smarthas.

Iyengars have much in common with Iyers with respect to their observance of Vedic rituals, lifestyle, traditions, heritage, history and culture. They descend from the same set of Gotras. However significant differences arise mainly with respect to their adherence to the Vishishtadvaita philosophy, monastic affiliation, marriage traditions and to a small extent vocabulary. Another notable difference is the way the traditional nine yards saree(madisaar) is draped by the Iyengar women.

Iyengars today

B. K. S. Iyengar is a well known yoga expert

Srivaisnava Brahmins are much given to scholarly pursuits and have earned for themselves the honorary title of acarya. Iyengars today have diversified into a variety of fields—their strengths particularly evident in the fields of law, mass media,medicine business, science, engineering, mathematics and computer science. However, even today, a few Iyengars choose to pursue the vocation of priesthood.

Iyengars have been active in the arts. Music has always been integral to the Iyengar community; Carnatic music has a great tradition within the community with many contemporary performers originating from the Iyengar community. Apart from vocal music, instruments such as mridangam, naadaswaram, veena, ghatam, violin, and more recently, the mandolin etc., Bharatanatyam were also patronized. Carnatic music and Bharathanatyam together enjoy a rich patronage in the cultural festivities in and around Chennai during the months of December and January (Margazhi or Mrgasheersha). For a list of Iyengars who have achieved prominence in their vocations, see List of Iyengars. In addition to Carnatic music and traditional dances (Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi), Iyengars have made a name in theater and acting. Popular actors in the Tamil Film Industry and Bollywood such as Kamal Haasan, Hema Malini, Charuhasan, Suhasini Maniratnam and others are practising or non-practising Iyengars. There are many eminent scientists and mathematicians such as Mudumbai Sesachalu Narasimhan, or M. S. Narasimhan.

Criticism

See Also: Criticism of Iyers, Brahminism, Anti-Brahminism, Caste-Based Reservations in Tamil Nadu

“ It was found that prior to Independence, the Pallars were never allowed to enter the residential areas of the caste Hindus particularly of the Brahmins. Whenever a Brahmin came out of his house, no Scheduled Caste person was expected to come in his vicinity as it would pollute his sanctity and if it happened by mistake, he would go back home cursing the latter. He would come out once again only after taking a bath and making sure that no such thing would be repeated.

However, as a mark of protest a few Pallars of this village deliberately used to appear before the Brahmin again and again. By doing so the Pallars forced the Brahmin to get back home once again to take a bath drawing water from deep well.

”

Grievances and alleged instances of discrimination by Brahmins are believed to be the main factors which fuelled the Dravidian Movement. This, in combination with the depressed economic and social conditions of non-Brahmins, led the non-Brahmins to agitate and form the Justice Party in 1916, which later became the Dravidar Kazhagam. The Justice Party banked on vehement anti-Hindu and anti-Brahmin propaganda to ease Brahmins out of their privileged positions. Gradually, the non-Brahmin replaced the Brahmin in every sphere and destroyed the monopoly over education and the administrative services which the Brahmin had previously held.

However, with the destruction of Brahmin monopoly over the services and introduction of adequate representation for other communities, anti-Brahmin feelings did not subside. On the contrary, they were fully exploited by politicians, who often indulged in anti-Brahmin rhetoric primarily in order to get non-Brahmin votes. Deprived of opportunities, Tamil Brahmins began to migrate en masse to other states in India and foreign countries in search of livelihood. There were frequent allegations of casteism and racism against Brahmins very similar to the ones made by the lower castes against them in the decades before independence.

However, despite accusations of casteism against Iyengars and Iyers, there have been a number of instances wherein Iyengars have toiled to remove caste-barriers. Sir P. Rajagopalachari, during his tenure as the Dewan of Travancore brought forth legislations to permit Dalits and Ezhava children in schools notwithstanding the vehement protests of the Malayali upper-castes. It was also due to his efforts that restrictions towards nomination of low-castes and untouchables to the Travancore State Assembly were removed. Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Madras Presidency enacted an act similar to the Temple Entry Proclamation issued in Travancore that permitted the entry of Dalits into Hindu temples.

Another important accusation hurled upon was that they were Sanskritists who entertained a distorted and contemptuous attitude towards Tamil language, culture and civilization

However, a detailed study of the history of Tamil literature proves this accusation wrong. The renowned Dravidologist Kamil Zvelebil, in his book Companion Studies to the History of Tamil Literature, even goes to the extent of saying that the Brahmin was chosen as a scapegoat to answer for the decline of Tamil civilization and culture in the medieval and post-medieval periods.

The Nalayira Divya Prabandham is regarded as the Tamil Veda and is recited along with the Vedas during festival processions.

Famous Iyengars

Main Article - List of Iyengars

See also

• Iyer
• Forward Castes
• Vishishtadvaita
• Divya Desam

Notes

Patrachari Madabhushi

References

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• E. Gover, Charles (1871). The Folk songs of Southern India. Madras: Higginbotham & Co. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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• Zvelebil, Kamil (1973). The Smile of Murugan on Tamil Literature of South India. BRILL. ISBN 9004035915.
• V. Zvelebil, Kamil (1992). Companion Studies to the History of Tamil Literature. BRILL. ISBN 9004093656. {{cite book}}: More than one of |author= and |last= specified (help)
• Aiyangar, S. Krishnaswami (1919). Some Contributions of South India to Indian Culture. University of Calcutta. ISBN 8120609999.
• E. V. Ramasami (March 27, 1929). "Is this Nationalism?" (PDF). The Revolt.
• W. B. Vasantha Kandasamy, F. Smarandache, K. Kandasamy, Florentin Smarandache (2005-12-01). E. V. Ramasami's Writings and Speeches. American Research Press. ISBN 9781931233002. Retrieved 2008-08-13. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• Ghosh, G. K. (2003). Brahmin Women. Firma KLM. ISBN 8171021077. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |isbn-status= ignored (help)
• Slater, Gilbert (1924). The Dravidian Element in Indian Culture. Ernest Benn.
• Iyengar, P.T. Srinivasa (1929). History of the Tamils from the Earliest Times to 600AD. Asian Educational Services.