Tamils of Palakkad

Disclaimer: The Tamils mentioned in this blog are native people not the migrant Tamil workers.

About Palakkad::
Palakkad is a land of palm trees and paddy fields. It's known to be rich in flora and fauna. Etymologically Palakkad is derived from the words Pala and Kadu. Pala, (Alstonia scholaris) is a tree with sweet scented flowers and Kadu meaning forest.
Palakkad has probably the biggest mountain pass in the world (30-40 Kms) separating the two folds of the Western Ghats on the border of Kerala with Tamil Nadu. It is the chief granary of Kerala, often called the Gateway of Kerala. Palakkad lies at the foot of the gigantic Western ghats on the border of Kerala. Palakkad is known for its historical background and the remnants of Tippu Sulthan’s Fort. Palakkad district is situated in the South West Coast of India. This district with mountains, forests, and fertile valleys, rivers and mountain streams are rich in flora and fauna.

Tamils of Palakkad::

Palakkad is a Tamil-majority city. There is data on the age-old presence of Tamils in Palakkad. But we always felt that Tamils constituted a significantly scanty minority community in Kerala. Nonetheless, the presence of the Tamils was omnipresent. The installation of messages, in Tamil as well as Malayalam, on socially consequential placards, in various sites of Palakkad, was unexpected. Even the Malayalis in Palakkad can understand Tamil. The Tamils could converse in pristine Malayalam as well as their own mother tongue.

There are Tamils in all the three major religions ie Hindus, Muslims and Christians.

In Tamil Hindus the majority are Iyers, they are called Palakkad Iyers or Pattars. There is a famous saying about them in Kerala "Pattaril Pottanilla" There is no fool among Kerala Iyers. There are other caste people like Gounders, Nadars, Chettiars, Mudaliyar and Pillai's etc.

In Tamil Muslims it is mainly Rowthers and their strong presence can be found in Palakkad market and in villages of south Palakkad.

Tamil Christian's presence can be found in the borders of south Palakkad and they are mainly Roman Catholics and belongs to a caste named Vanniyar.

Famous Tamil celebrities from Palakkad::

1. M.G.Ramachandran-(MGR)-Actor and politician

2. M.S.Viswanathan-(MSV)-Music Director

http://www.msviswanathan.com/

3. Vidya Balan-Bollywood Actress

http://www.vidya-balan.com/

4. Trisha Krishnan-Kollywood Actress

http://www.trisha-krishnan.com/index.html

5. Priya Mani-Kollywood Actress

http://www.priyamani.info/index.htm

6.Mani Iyer-Mridangam

7. Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar-Carnatic Music singer

http://chembaismruthi.org/

8. Jayaram-Actor(Malayalam & Tamil)